The Voice of People’s Community Clinic | January 2021                         View this email in your browser CELEBRATING MLK WITH A DAY OF SERVICE Each year on the third Monday of January, America honors the birth, life, and dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. MLK Day is the only national holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities. Let’s not forget the many injustices that people of color faced in 2020, for MLK would want us to continue to preserve and create change within our communities in 2021. This January, let’s remember his fight for the freedom, equality, and dignity of all races and peoples through nonviolence. Be sure to check out here our January suggested media list that focuses on Martin Luther King Jr. and ways you can serve. COMMUNITY LUNCH & LEARN  Dr. Jeff Hutchinson: Earning Your Trust For Vaccines Dr. Hutchinson of People’s Adolescent Health Department dissolves myths and builds confidence for vaccines in a 20 minute presentation. A recorded Q&A follows, answering many questions people have about the COVID-19 vaccine. Watch here EVENTS You’re invited! Tuesday, January 19th at 6 PM CST People’s Collective Wine Tasting (Today is the last day to purchase tickets) A virtual event to learn about wine and meet new friends of the clinic Join us for our first People’s Collective event of the year. This month, we will have a private wine tasting hosted by Hotel Magdalena and Summer House On Music Lane on Tuesday, January 19, at 6 pm. Attendees will pick up curated wines and bites from the hotel, and then head home for an expert-led, virtual tasting. The gathering will emphasize enjoying fine wine alongside friends from People’s Collective. Tickets are $30 each or free if you are a member. Today is the last day to RSVP – please click here to RSVP. To join, please click here. For tickets, please click here. For the month of January, People’s Community Clinic will receive the “round up” proceeds at Wheatsville Food Co-Op. We encourage you to shop and drop off your gently used children’s books at either of Wheatsville’s two locations. VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT Michael Mackert, Ph.D., Director of The University of Texas at Austin’s Center for Health Communication, generously volunteers his time and expertise to People’s Board of Directors. Mike also serves as the chair of the Communications Committee. He is a valuable and reliable advisor in all matters related to health communication, and has assisted the Communications department in its work reaching patients for vaccines, telemedicine, and much more. HEALTH NEWS Austin Monthly: Austin’s Top Doctors 2021: Three People’s Doctors Named Top Doctors KUT News: Interviews with Austinites Connected to The Year’s Biggest Stories Celebrate Health Care Heroes: People’s Doctor Jeff Hutchinson Wins Health Care Hero Award for Exceptional Direct Patient Care KXAN: How Will Clinics in Underserved Communities Handle COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution? MAKE A GIFT AT THIS CRITICAL TIME Copyright © 2021 People’s Community Clinic, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you are a current supporter of PCC. Thank you!Our mailing address is: People’s Community Clinic 1101 Camino La Costa Austin, TX 78752 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

 

Dr. Jeff Hutchinson, Center for Adolescent Health

This month we will focus on Black History Month.

Black History Month begins in 1915, half a century after the Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery in the United States. President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976, calling upon the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”

 

February 2021 suggested media:

 

READ

Michelle Alexander’s The New Jim Crow

This is a challenging read that highlights the disparity in the criminal justice system. It will make you angry and cause disbelief in where we are today.

After reading this book consider the following questions:

1. What are the reasons we have very different applications of the law?
2. What are the things that we can do as individuals to address this disparity?

 

Isabel Wilkerson has two incredible books: The Warmth of Other Suns and Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents. The first describes the largest migration in the US when 6 million African Americans fled the south.The second compares the Caste system in India to the unofficial caste system in the US.

1. Why did you choose to read this book?
2. What are the lingering effects of the migration or the caste system?

 

Well-Read Black Girl, by Glory Edim

This collection of essays by Black women will provide a unique perspective

1. Which essay was the most meaningful to you?
2. How is the storytelling different from other storytelling?

 

LISTEN

The 1619 Podcast This 5 part series explores the legacy of slavery.

1. What fact surprised you the most
2. Why would people oppose teaching this information?

 

WATCH

Take a virtual tour of the National Museum of African American History and Culture in DC

https://nmaahc.si.edu/

1. Share with someone a part of history that you learned
2. What is different between a virtual visit and a visit in person?

 

Keep your eyes open for other ways to engage in Black History Month.

Dr. Jeff Hutchinson, Center for Adolescent Health

Welcome 2021! This month’s suggested reading list focuses on Service and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Our commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity and advocacy continues.

January does not have a cultural recognition title but includes Poverty Awareness, Global Family Day, World Braille Day and International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Jan. 18, 2021, marks the 26th anniversary of the day of service that celebrates the Civil Rights leader’s life and legacy. The third Monday in January is “a day on, not a day off,” and the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities.

 

Article

This article can be a blueprint to service: “7 Fast and Powerful Ways You Can Serve Others: Are you using your ability to change someone’s life?”

1. Share with someone a cause you feel passionate towards.
2. Pick one of the seven ways to serve and do it.
3. Ask someone close to you to also pick a cause to serve.

 

Books

“Give and Take: A Revolutionary Approach to Success” by Adam Grant. This book describes the three characteristics we all have: giver, taker and matcher. Adam Grant argues that being more of a giver builds relationships and success.

1. Describe the situations in your life where you are a giver, taker and matcher.
2. What are the barriers that keep us from being more generous?
3. Reach out to someone you consider a “giver” and thank them.

“Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End” by Atul Gawande. This book is a personal reflection on dealing with our mortality and the changes we’ve seen in how we treat the elderly. This book stresses how important it is to recognize the wishes of the people we seek to help.

1. After reading the book you should feel the need to talk to family members about their wishes. What makes that conversation difficult?
2. Describe a time you realized that your help was not helping.
3. Let your elders know how special they are.

 

Listen

Please listen to the entire “I have a dream” speech: https://youtu.be/1UV1fs8lAbg. Many of Dr. King’s points remain true today.

1. What does being judged by the content of your character mean?
2. What did you learn listening to the speech that you never knew before?
3. What is your dream for the future?

 

Service is a challenge when we are low on energy, resources and time. 2020 asked so much of each person that retreating from service feels like the only way to take care of ourselves. Service to others is actually one of the best things we can do to help give us hope and move us forward.

Stay well and know that every journey is better with a friend.

 

 

People’s patients say internet access at home is a necessity This summer People’s Community Clinic asked patients where they needed the most help. Ahead of the need for childcare, transportation, and emergency food, patients responded saying they needed access to high-speed internet. As with many other disparities, the effects of COVID-19 highlighted an already uneven playing field. Access to broadband internet is essential for education, work, and connection with friends and family. “Lack of technology and internet hinders our patients’ ability to see their doctor, work, or even attend school,” says Cherelle Vanbrakle, Director of Health Promotion & Community Advocacy at People’s. Those going without it during the pandemic are at a severe disadvantage. Read more here. EVENTS You’re invited! December 8th at 12 PM CST “There’s No Such Thing as a Free Lunch:” An Encore Presentation Celebrating 50 Years of People’s Community Clinic   The program features an engaging conversation between Congresswoman Donna Shalala and Evan Smith of The Texas Tribune; a report on the clinic’s work during the pandemic with Dr. Louis Appel and Dr. Pritesh Gandhi; a retrospective film on the history of People’s; and appearances by The Honorable Kirk Watson, Ray Benson, Marcia Ball, Alejandro Escovedo and Sarah Bird. The viewing is free, but a $50 donation is suggested – that’s just $1 for each year we’ve provided affordable health care for Central Texans in need. Tune in here on December 8th at 12 PM CST to watch.  VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT Omar and Adrianna are both UT students and rock star People’s volunteers. They work together to create content for our Center for Adolescent Health. Twice a month they attend People’s Youth Advisory Council (YAC) meetings where they help lead the Social Media Committee. Adrianna and Omar play a crucial role in amplifying the ideas of YAC members while also considering the communication goals of the Center for Adolescent Health. See their work on Instagram here. Today is Giving Tuesday, “a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world.” People’s works to make affordable health care possible for our Central Texas neighbors in need. Please support us on Giving Tuesday at austinpcc.org. MAKE A GIFT AT THIS CRITICAL TIME HEALTH NEWS KVUE News: Austin Doctor Says Spike in Cases May Be Due to ‘Pandemic Fatigue’ Facebook: People’s Dietitian Genesis Valdes Talks Turkey & Safe Holiday Gatherings This Year Austin American-Statesman: People’s Community Clinic Celebrates 50 Years of Bringing Dignity to Care Politico: Fauci: Vaccines Are an Incentive to ‘Double Down’ on Precautions Copyright © *|CURRENT_YEAR|* *|LIST:COMPANY|*, All rights reserved. *|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|* *|LIST:DESCRIPTION|* Our mailing address is: *|HTML:LIST_ADDRESS_HTML|* *|END:IF|* Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. *|IF:REWARDS|* *|HTML:REWARDS|* *|END:IF|*

 

This summer People’s Community Clinic asked patients where they needed the most help. Ahead of the need for childcare, transportation, and emergency food, patients responded saying they needed access to high-speed internet. As with many other disparities, the effects of COVID-19 highlighted an already uneven playing field.

Access to broadband internet is essential for education, work, and connection with friends and family. “Lack of technology and internet hinders our patients’ ability to see their doctor, work, or even attend school,” says Cherelle Vanbrakle, Director of Health Promotion & Community Advocacy at People’s. Those going without it during the pandemic are at a severe disadvantage.

Seeing the negative impact on patients’ lives, People’s partnered with Austin Urban Technology Movement (AUTM) to help launch the Texas Technology for All campaign. The campaign’s goal is to ensure every household in Texas – especially in communities of color – has free broadband internet and the technology to use it. The nonprofit AUTM also wants to create more opportunities for struggling communities to access jobs in the tech industry.

Now as partners, People’s patients will be able to connect with the services offered at AUTM. This could go a long way in addressing their technological needs and even access to work.

“Partnering with AUTM provides our patients and community with a team dedicated to helping them find the technology and services needed,” said Vanbrakle. “They [AUTM] will also take the time to talk about career development opportunities. Technology needs and jobs are increasing rapidly, and partnering with an organization that can help our patients with this transition is imperative to continued engagement with work, school and healthcare.”

For those interested in signing the Texas Technology for All petition for Governor Abbott, please click here.

Dr. Jeff Hutchinson, Center for Adolescent Health

This holiday season may find all of us having difficult conversations. This monthly reading list is our effort to help in that discomfort. Use this list to engage with a desire to understand and be more inclusive as we celebrate our diversity.

 

Articles

This TED article and talk “3 Steps to Having Difficult But Necessary Conversations” is a great starting point to approach difficult conversations:

1. Don’t avoid the conflict
2. Approach the conversation to learn
3. Listen more than speak

This short article “How to Have Difficult Conversations” outlines a universal approach to difficult conversations with family and friends. After reading it have a conversation with someone and discuss the questions:

1. When is it difficult to be direct with your thoughts?
2. What phrase or behavior leads to you feeling disrespected?

 

Books

“So You Want to Talk About Race” by Ijeoma Oluo

1. This book is a well written foundation for anyone willing to do the difficult work of talking about race and being anti-racist.
2. Identify one point the author made that you agree with and one point you disagree.
3. How can hearing the perspective of someone different than you help future conversations?

“The Power of a Positive No: How to Say No and Still Get to Yes” by William Ury

1. I recommend this book for everyone who has trouble saying no. It helps develop the ability to decline a request and keep the relationship. Saying no is important in difficult conversations.
2. Discuss the last time you said yes when you wanted to say no.
3. Find someone you know who seems to say no easily and have a discussion about their skill.

“Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most” by Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton, Sheila Heen

1. There are dozens of books aimed at leaders, business owners and teachers on having difficult conversations. Some can be applied to family conversation but conversations we have with family are different because of the relationship.
2. How can you move from an emotional conversation to a productive one?
3. What do you do when you feel personally attacked?

 

Podcasts

Brené Brown is a leading voice on empathy and brave conversations. One of her many podcasts with comedian Judd Apatow also looks at humor:

1. Humor can be a key to difficult conversations.
2. Share how a difficult conversation improved when you were able to laugh.
3. What is the difference between “laughing with” and “laughing at”

 

You can do it!

It is never too late to learn and never too early to try.

Dr. Jeff Hutchinson, Center for Adolescent Health

We are fortunate to be able to learn from not only our own experiences but also from the experiences of others. Reading, sharing and discussing what we learn about other cultures helps build empathy and understanding. Members of People’s staff developed a reading and video list to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Please note that a culture cannot be reduced to a handful of topics but the suggestions are a starting point encouraging all of us to learn more. To learn more during Hispanic Heritage Month, consider the following:

October 2020 suggested media

A fantastic example of the complexity of Hispanic culture is Grisel Y. Acosta’s, Latina Outsiders: Remaking Latina Identity.

This TED talk: I’m Mexican. Does that change your assumptions about me? by Vanessa Vancour gives another perspective.

This Code Switch episode: The All-Women Mariachi Group That’s Lifting Our Spirits.

 

 

 

 

CONSIDERATIONS FOR OPENING SCHOOLS Thoughts from Dr. Jeff Hutchinson, MD Dear Friend, As an adolescent medicine physician at People’s Community Clinic, I’m concerned that the debate for opening schools misses one key point. While everyone can agree that learning together is far superior to learning remotely (see recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics), decision makers are ignoring the lack of trust from those who would shoulder the greatest risk: our under-served and overwhelmingly minority neighbors. Fear of COVID-19 grows as the number of infected Americans grows, but fear is not the entire story. We overcome fear every time we drive on the highway, fly in a plane and even try new foods. Our lives are inherently risky. Yet we must acknowledge that opening schools poses an even greater risk for minorities who have been taught by society that their safety is less valued. The risks in returning to school are unevenly distributed across age, race, and socioeconomic status because the school system and health system have been unevenly resourced prior to the current crisis. Across the country, communities of color are far more likely to suffer infection and hospitalization. According to the CDC, you are nearly 5 times more likely to be hospitalized by COVID if you are black, versus white. In fact, over 95% of COVID patients at People’s Community Clinic are Hispanic, even though Latinos make up 86% of the clinic’s patient population. These stats remind us of the numerous ways social inequities play out across every sector of society, often in deadly ways. People’s is on the frontlines of this pandemic, doing our best to level the social inequities that impact health. We are testing and caring for COVID patients and supporting all patients with the many tools that we have. We’ve adopted telemedicine to minimize risk and make it possible for patients to see a provider from the comfort of their home. We continue to offer the full range of services including reproductive health care, behavioral health therapy, diabetes management, and legal help, just to name a few. My hope is that with strong supporters in our corner like you we can continue to keep our footing even as COVID threatens the health—and lives—of the most vulnerable residents in the Austin area. Thank you for being here for us. Thank you for continuing to show up for the fight to improve the health of Central Texans. Sincerely, Jeff Hutchinson, MD People’s Community Clinic Dr. Hutchinson is a pediatric medicine specialist at People’s Center for Adolescent Health. He has over twenty years’ experience in health care and academic leadership. EVENTS Please join us on the web to celebrate the launch of People’s Collective – a new group of advocates and ambassadors for the clinic. The event will include a virtual tour of our clinic with Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Louis Appel, who will talk about the big changes we’ve made during the COVID pandemic. For sponsorships & info, contact: Nadine.Durkee@AustinPCC.org. Individual tickets: https://www.austinpcc.org/launchparty  Save the date! People’s Community Clinic is pleased to announce our annual luncheon will be October 6th, and will be VIRTUAL. This year we’re featuring: The Honorable Donna Shalala, former US Secretary of Health and Human Services The Honorable Kirk Watson, Dean, University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs Evan Smith, CEO, The Texas Tribune More to be announced. For Sponsorships & info, contact: JoyA@AustinPCC.org. Individual tickets: https://www.austinpcc.org/2020luncheon/  VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT NEW KIDS VIDEO SERIES! People’s has launched a Saturday morning video series for kids! Have fun making simple arts & crafts and when you’re done, your child can read a fun, short book with a story teller. The new People’s Kids at Home Video Series was developed with the creative efforts of these amazing volunteers: Rohan Mehta (Video Editor), Emily Mitchell (Crafts Content Creator), Yeonsoo Jung (Crafts Content Creator), Natalie Osterlund (ROR Reader Lead) and Olubunmi Oni (Reader). You can view videos on our YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram accounts. Check out new videos, in both Spanish and English, every week! Watch on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. HEALTH NEWS Pain Management Alliance: Spotlight on Dr. Sharad Kohli Kaiser Health: In Texas, More People Are Losing Their Health Insurance as COVID Cases Climb AP News: Scientists Get Closer to Blood Test for Alzheimer’s Disease Spectrum News: LGBTQ Caucus Pushing for Same Rights for Same-Sex Teen Couples WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! What news do you want to read? Please consider taking a brief survey here to help us gauge what’s most important to you. Your feedback is very appreciated. Thank you. LET US KNOW   Learn more about more ways you can help People’s on our website. MAKE A GIFT AT THIS CRITICAL TIME