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Sade Kosoko-Lasaki, MD,
MSPH, MBA
Associate Vice President
Health Sciences
This past academic year, HS-MACA has focused its attention on
addressing health disparities. Starting with our continued efforts in
increasing the diversity in the workforce we promote pipeline programs (K20) through Focus on Health Professions, a collaborative initiative with
Parochial schools, Omaha Public Schools and all the Health Science
schools at Creighton. The medical and dental post baccalaureate
programs continue to flourish (we currently have 16 alumni in medical
school and 8 students in dental school). The MCAT and DAT scores and
overall graduating GPA from the program have increase tremendously.
The pharmacy pre-matriculation program continues to increase in size: the
first pre-matriculation occupational and physical therapy (OT and PT) will
matriculate in June 2008.
We have developed partnerships with senior administrators in the
health sciences in addressing cultural proficiency in the curriculum, even
as we deliver on-going seminars to medical and dental students on the
subject. Faculty from all the schools share their research and community
activities on health disparities during Common Ground, the informal weekly
program that is organized for all Health Science students.
The culmination of our efforts is the publication of a text book
Cultural Proficiency in Addressing Health Disparities which can be
previewed on www.jbpub.com/healthprofessions/. In addition, our cosponsored second Health Disparities seminar has its focus on HIV/AIDS;
one of the areas of Health Disparities identified by the Sullivan Commission
and Healthy People 2010.
Congratulations to all our 2008 health professions and postbaccalaureate graduating students. We wish you well on the next phase of
your career.
Good luck.
Sade Kosoko-Lasaki, MD, MSPH, MBA
Associate Vice President
Health Sciences
This past fall semester 2007, the Office of Health
Sciences - Multicultural and Community Affairs collaborated with
the School of Pharmacy and Health Professions (SPAHP) and
School of Dentistry (SOD) to conduct informational sessions at
three schools and participated in a recruiting fair in Atlanta,
Georgia. Mr. Dayo Kosoko (SPAHP) and Dr. Greg Davis (SOD)
held informational sessions at Morehouse College, Kennesaw
State University and Spelman College. They also participated in
Atlanta University Center Consortium (AUC) recruitment fair
located on the campus of Clark-Atlanta University where one
hundred (100+) plus schools were represented. The Morehouse
College informational session resulted in over 35 students who
were interested in health science professions. Mr. Dayo Kosoko
made tremendous inroads with the Physical Education and
Athletics Training department. He was introduced to quite a few
professors and advisors. Dr. Davis conversed with Dr. John K.
Haynes, Dean of the Division of Science & Mathematics to
encourage him to send qualified students to Creighton.
The Recruitment team visited Kennesaw State University
where 60 plus students gathered to receive more information
about Creighton University. Many of the students wanted
information on Omaha and why Creighton would be a good fit for
them. Each of the recruiter’s spoke on their schools and
supported one another in answering questions.
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Proof that mentors make a difference is
easy to find. Individuals who have mentors
often credit them with directing their careers
and giving them invaluable advice on how to
handle numerous situations. Being a mentor
requires a commitment of time and resources.
The HS-MACA Mentoring program
continues to grow and benefit both students
and faculty at Creighton University. The
purpose of the HS-MACA mentoring program
is to provide participants in the HS-MACA
programs formal and informal opportunities for
counseling and group support. The mentoring
program is promoted throughout Creighton
University and it’s larger community. Each
semester HS-MACA holds a mentoring social
or activities: an opportunity for students and
faculty to come together.
On October, 2007 Dr. Kosoko-Lasaki
presented on “An Insight Into the Mentoring
Process: Experience at Creighton University.
On January 31, 2008, Mrs. Patricia
Callone from the Office of Institutional
Relations was the invited guest speaker at the
mentoring event. She spoke to the audience
members on the Life Cycle process, which
involves awareness of the major transitions a
person experiences as you move through life
and envisioning yourself and developing a
plan to get there.
HS-MACA’s tutoring program
serves Omaha High School youth.
The tutoring program assists the
student(s) to improve academics
and increase their understanding
of course materials. Tutors focus
on helping students improve math
and science skills as well as
helping students prepare for the
ACT exam(s). In addition, tutoring
helps increase the students’ ability
to learn and enhance strategies
for studying and test taking skills.
Tutoring is held in the HS-MACA
department on the Creighton
University campus on Saturday
mornings.
If you are interested in serving as
a tutor and can give one to two
hours of your time on Saturday
morning,
please
contact:
(402)280-2936
or
[email protected] for more
information.
If you or someone you know is interested in
more information about the HS-MACA
mentoring program, please call (402)2802936 or email [email protected] .
Mentoring is to support and encourage people to manage their own learning in
order that they may maximize their potential, develop their skills, improve their
performance and become the person they want to be.
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Sade Kosoko-Lasaki, MD, MSPH, MBA, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, USA
Brett Briggs Coordinator, Creighton University Glaucoma Outreach
Adeola Kosoko Second Year Medical Student, University of Kansas
In March 2008, HS-MACA repeated it’s annual mission trip toin collaboration with the Institute of Latin
American Concern or (ILAC) combat VAD in the Dominican Republic. In addition to the screening of children and
the administration of Vitamin A capsules, adults were given an eye exam for glaucoma, as well as other eye
problems. Glaucoma is also the commonest cause of blindness in African-American and Hispanic populations.
Twenty-two of the primary health care workers (cooperadores) received a review and training session on
the clinical signs and symptoms of vitamin A deficiency, its effects on childhood morbidity and mortality and
preventative strategies. Dr. Kosoko-Lasaki emphasized the benefits of breast-feeding and encouraged a diet of
foods rich in vitamin A, such as green leafy vegetables, carrots, mangoes, papaya, etc. In addition to this valuable
information, the cooperadores also received a lecture on the importance of adults having their eyes screened for
glaucoma. They received additional literature about glaucoma to share with their community. That same day, all
the cooperadores received a full eye exam and screening.
Other trip activities included traveling to the remote communities and screening children for the eye signs
of Vitamin A deficiency, distributing Vitamin A capsules. In addition to the vitamin A distribution, the Institute for
Latin American Concern (ILAC) also distributed an anti-parasite to the children and the adults of the area villages.
We were also involved in providing screening and ocular examination and treatment for adults, specifically for
glaucoma. If any other complications were found, such as cataracts, individuals were referred to Dr. Sebastian
Guzman.
Over 50 children, ages 3 months to 12 years, were screened and received Vitamin A. A total of 117
adults received visual acuity, visual field (using the FDT Visual Field Analyzer), slit lamp, tonometry and fundus
exams. Ninety-Nine had complete ophthalmologic exams. We were greatly encouraged to see a large number of
people who had been diagnosed in our previous mission trips return to follow up on their conditions. Thirty-three
existing cases and 7 new cases of glaucoma were diagnosed, and two glaucoma surgeries were performed, along
with a handful referred to Dr. Guzman for surgery shortly after. Dr. Guzman and the ILAC clinic will be handling
the follow up visits, post-op care, and further follow up for these patients.
The children, adults, and health care personnel in the Dominican Republic all benefited greatly from the
efforts of the Eye Care team. The collaborative efforts of the Eye Care team, a local Santiago Ophthalmologist,
and the ILAC staff are far reaching and very effective. This is demonstrated by the sheer number of returning
patients from previous years. The ILAC cooperadores (health care workers) use a grassroots approach, which
has been found to be very effective. Using this methodology, ILAC is able to reach the poor and marginalized
residents in the remote, underserved areas of the Dominican Republic better than any other organization.
Much-appreciated support was provided by: SIGHT AND LIFE, New World Medical, Inc. (Rancho
Cucamonga, CA, USA), First Eye Associates (Omaha, NE, USA), Amy Scanlon & Melissa Towne from Allergan
Pharmaceuticals, Chet Smith Alcon Pharmaceuticals, Creighton University Institute for Latin American Concern
(ILAC) (Omaha, NE, USA), Creighton University Office of Health Sciences-Multicultural and Community Affairs
(HS-MACA) (Omaha, NE, USA), Dr. Sebastian Guzman and staff (Santiago, Dominican Republic), ILAC Mission
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Staff (Santiago, Dominican Republic).
HS-MACA has been expanding its outreach efforts over the past
several months. Those efforts are focused on increasing cultural
awareness, reducing health disparities and educating the
community.
♦ January 2008 was Glaucoma Awareness Month.
A kick-off
event was held at Mayor Fahey’s office and 2 large
comprehensive screenings were held in the community
screening over 100 residents from North and South Omaha.
♦ Meetings are being held with administrators from all of the
Creighton University Health Science schools to look at
strategies for addressing diversity issues as well as ways to
celebrate diversity at Creighton.
♦ Several HS-MACA staff members volunteered in the Homeless
Connect program on April 11, 2008.
Ninety homeless
individuals were screened for glaucoma that day by our
Glaucoma Screening Initiative team.
♦ HS-MACA partnered with several community agencies to
sponsor a free community health screening being held April
21, 2008 at the Nebraska AIDS Project Outreach Center.
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♦ The Cultural Awareness seminar for 3 year dental students will
be held on May 15, 2008.
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We are coming to the close of another school year. It is the time of year that we tend to get a
little sad but also excited around the HS-MACA offices. We are sad because out current class will
begin transitioning into their respective Professional schools. But we are happy because our incoming
class will begin the journey that will take them to the next level of life.
We wish our current class success in the Pre-Matriculation programs as well as in their
Professional schools. Pre-Matriculation will begin for the dental students on May 19, 2008 and for
the medical students on June 9, 2008. The Pharmacy and Health Professions Pre-matriculation
program begins on June 2, 2008
We are also excited to welcome the Post-Baccalaureate Class of 2008-2009.The class of
2008-2009 will begin the Summer Diagnostic session on Monday June 2, 2008. This year we will
welcome seven Pre-Medical students as well as seven Pre-Dental students. In our next newsletter I
will share the demographics of the class.
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Looking back on the past eleven months
seems almost surreal. Our time as postbaccalaureate students is nearly complete
and somehow this juncture seems to have
arrived much sooner than expected. The
pre-medical students all remember being
new to Creighton last summer, wondering,
imagining what challenges await us during
this pivotal year in our lives. We have met
those challenges with an impressive
determination and have exceeded many
expectations. I can speak from my own
perspective, that each of the pre-medical
students has impressed and motivated me
with the examples they set as individuals.
As a class, we should all be proud of our
accomplishments.
I can’t believe we have been in
Omaha for almost a year. Part of me is really
glad that the end of the program is near,
because it means that we will soon be
enrolled in our respective professional
schools, but at the same time I know I will
miss my friends, the staff, and especially my
instructors. At the very beginning I was
skeptical about the impact this program
would have on me, but as I got to know my
professors, classmates, and subject material,
I realized the program would give me the
tools to excel in my future profession.
However, the most challenging obstacle I
faced was exactly what I expected to be the
easiest, namely, working towards a common
goal (good GPA and DAT scores).
Now we can look forward and
imagine, once again, the challenges that
await us. Our dreams of going to medical
school are on the verge of becoming reality
and we are now better prepared than ever
to fulfill them with excellence.
It seems natural that a group of
people in the same situation would easily
work together towards a common goal, but
the fact is, it was more challenging than I
originally thought. When I first met my
classmates I was intimidated and insecure,
because I was overwhelmed about the
diversity of each one of us and did not know
how to approach this new set of people. I felt
out of place and uncomfortable, I had to
adjust to a new city and face a year full of
obstacles. As like when I was a kid I looked
around for people that looked just like me,
but here, everyone was from a different
background. In order to overcome this
natural discomfort I needed to get to know
my classmates beyond first impressions.
Over time I had the chance to interact with
my classmates on the academic as well as
on an informal setting and slowly I came to
accept our differences and even admire the
diverse personalities of my classmates.
We will emerge from the postbaccalaureate program as professional
students, seasoned in personal study
habits and group strategies that bring out
the best in each of us. Our instructors,
coordinators,
and
mentors
have
continuously provided us with an
experience unique to this program, where
we are not only challenged to excel but
also encouraged to support one another in
the process.
As a result, the postbaccalaureate program endows us with
perhaps the most valuable asset for our
futures: each other. We hope to remember
this common foundation as we move
forward on our journey in medical school
and continue to bring out the best in each
other every day.
The challenges I faced through out
this year of study will no doubt serve me in
the future. As I move forward in my
professional life I will certainly encounter
people from various backgrounds, and I can
say that my education prepared me for more
than just the technical side of my career.
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1st row left to right Juliana Coletto, Maryam Gbadamosi, Qi Wang ,
Dreylanna Hill , Omobola Olufeko, Toni-Ann Hylton Back row left to
right; Rachel Austin, Leo Muduve, Antonio Betanzos, Junior Univers,
Kaiyra Salcido
~
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Students in the local Omaha area have enjoyed a variety of math and science oriented
activities thanks to a program in the Department of HS-MACA, called “Focus on Health Professions.”
By coordinating efforts with schools in the area, such as King Science and Technology Center,
Benson High School, Papillion Junior High School, St. Richards elementary, and the OPS Career
Center, Creighton Medical, Pharmacy, Dental and OT/PT Students and staff directed the students to
explore the health science fields through activities designed to encourage young people to consider a
health career.
King Science and Technology Center had the hands-on experience of performing dissections
of cow eyeballs and sheep hearts, as well as real bones to handle. They learned about how our eyes
see and hearts beat. At King Science also, staff from HS-MACA judged the science fair which is held
once yearly.
St. Richards Elementary students were instructed on how to “eat right” to “stay healthy”,
through a nutrition hands-on demonstration and a lesson on the “functions of the eyes”, with Michela
Perry from the CUMC Ophthalmology Clinic. Michela dissected a cow eye and taught the parts of the
eye to the fifty 3rd through 6th graders during Catholic Schools Week in January, 2008.
Papillion Junior High students visited Dr. Richard Murphy’s lab in April to learn about
biomedical research. They were treated to a tour of campus and learned extensively about what it
takes to become a biomedical researcher and make an impact in the health of society.
Through efforts of the Focus on Health Professions, a student from the Omaha Public
Schools’ Career Center was able to shadow nurses in the hospital for the entire school year. She was
certified as a Nurses Assistant through OPS and her expertise was welcomed in the hospital where
she was able to witness the job responsibilities of a Registered Nurse on a stepdown unit after
surgery.
Two groups of Benson High students were treated to a host of professional students sharing
with them what it takes to become a Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Dentist, Doctor, or
Pharmacist.
Dr. Gary Westerman spoke to the high school students about dentistry, who were later were
treated to hands-on opportunities working with the “tools of the trade” to find out if these health careers
interested them.
The Focus on Health Professions Program in the HS-MACA Department helped shepherd
about 220 area students into health careers helping to narrow the gap in the workforce shortage of
health care providers in the nation.
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The second annual Addressing Health Disparities seminar was held on April 26, 2008 in
the Hixson-Lied Science Building, Room G04. This year the focus was HIV/AIDS. This seminar
was made possible with the support of Dr. Cam Enarson, Vice President for Health Sciences and
Dean of the School of Medicine and the Nebraska Aids Project (NAP).
Co-Program Director, Dr. Sade Kosoko-Lasaki, together with Dr Richard O’Brien, are
advocates and educators of health disparities and promoting cultural proficiency as are all the
speakers and panelists in the seminar. HIV/AIDS is one of the key areas of disparities identified by
the Healthy People 2010 initiative.
Nebraska Aids Project (NAP) provided keynote speaker, Murray Penner, Executive Director
of Policy from the National Alliance of State and Territory Aids Directors (NASTAD). National
Alliance of State and Territory Aids Directors is the agency “that represents the nation’s chief state
health agency staff who have programmatic responsibility for administering HIV/AIDS healthcare,
prevention, education, and supportive service programs funded by state and federal governments.
NASTAD is dedicated to reducing the incidence of HIV/AIDS infection in the U.S. and its territories,
providing comprehensive, compassionate, and high-quality care to all persons living with HIV/AIDS,
and ensuring responsible public policies.
Penner spoke to the group about the development of effective polices and programs that
encourage the use of applied scientific knowledge and input from affected communities for HIV/AIDS
care and treatment programs. His keynote address “National HIV/AIDS Policies: Helping or
Hindering Progress in Eliminating Disparities enlightened the audience about the future direction of
HIV/AIDS policies.”
On April 10 in Washington, the Kaiser Family Foundation and the National Alliance of State
and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD) released their annual report on the US AIDS Drug
Assistance Program. “The $1.43 billion program was declared to be in relatively good shape, though
experts noted some areas of concern. Thanks to several factors, changes in the distribution of Ryan
White CARE Act money, a real increase in supplemental funding and the one-time impact of moving
some patients to Medicare Part D programs, state ADAPs were able to offer more treatment options
to more patients in 2007.” (KFF) Also noted in the report is a shortage of adequately trained
physicians to administer complex HIV drug regimens.
The seminar was wall attended by health professionals from around this region.
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Associate Vice President
402.280.2332
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402.280.3964
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402.280.2936
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402.280.2971
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402.280.2188
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402.280.2174
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