PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS:  

TOPIC – Suicide Risk  

This program will outline specific and empirically grounded approaches to suicide risk assessment and subsequent clinical management decisions. 

TOPIC – Sleep Apnea 

Sleep-disordered breathing is a serious health problem that impacts the cardiovascular system in many ways.  The comorbidity of sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease is well established.  Current research links sleep apnea to high blood pressure, heart failure, arrythmias, coronary heart disease, and even stroke.  This presentation will address the relationship between cardiovascular disorders and sleep apnea.  The recent new diagnosis of “Complex Sleep Apnea” will be discussed as well as evaluation and treatment. 

TOPIC – Skin Disorders 

The range of skin diseases in veterans is no less diffuse or confusing than that seen in the general population.  The VA represents a unique opportunity to both provide excellent health care to its dermatological patients and honestly face cost/benefit concerns.  This presentation will help to answer frequently asked questions regarding difficult diagnoses and therapeutic options. 

FACULTY: 

TOPIC – Suicide Risk 

Presenter Name, Ali Cassidy, LCSW is the current Suicide Prevention Coordinator for the NAVAHCS. Prior to this appointment she served as the Clinical Supervisor for Assessment/Referral & Crisis Services at the West Yavapai Guidance Clinic. Ms. Cassidy has been in the field of suicide prevention and crisis management for over 20 years. She has also developed specialized community treatment programs for older adults with mental illness. 

TOPIC – Sleep Apnea And The Heart

Presenter Name, Robert Rosenberg, DO, FCCP, is the Medical Director for the Sleep Disorders Center of Prescott Valley, which opened in December of 2004.  He is a Pulmonary Specialist who has been in practice in Lake Havasu City for fifteen years.  Dr. Rosenberg has had a home in Prescott for five years and divides his clinical time between Prescott and Havasu.  He has been involved in Sleep Medicine for over twenty years and oversees the Sleep-Wake Center of Lake Havasu as well.  Prior to moving to Arizona, Dr. Rosenberg was an associate professor of Pulmonary Medicine at the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine.  He did his internal medicine training at Cook County and his Pulmonary Residency at New Jersey College of Medicine. 

TOPIC – Ask, or Tell, The Dermatologist

Presenter Name, Robert G. Wilson, MD, has practiced dermatology since 1967.  He graduated from the U. of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, N.C.in 1959 and then interned at Fitzsimons Army Hosptial in Denver, Colorado.  From 1960 to 1963 he served as a general medical officer in the US Army in Berlin, German.  He then completed a dermatology residency at the Cincinnati General Hospital in 1967 and began private practice, first in Utah, then in Arizona.  He retired from private practice in 2005 and started working for the VA in Anthem shortly thereafter.  While practicing in Prescott from 1983 to 1995 he held a dermatology clinic at the VA Hospital in Prescott once monthly. 

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:  At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to:

TOPIC – Suicide Risk 

• understand the importance of assessing suicide risk in the Primary Care setting,

• discuss the Bio-psychosocial risk factors for suicide and how to assess them,

• utilize techniques for establishing and maintaining rapport with the suicidal patient,

• accurately assess suicidal thinking and behaviors,

• utilize the VA’s new tools for preventing suicide.

TOPIC – Sleep Apnea 

• identify the pathophysiology of obstructive, central and complex sleep apnea,

• discuss the relationship between sleep disordered breathing and cardiovascular disorders,

• identify the treatment options for all types of sleep disordered breathing.

• identify the risks of untreated sleep apnea.

TOPIC – Skin Disorders 

• identify the most common skin diseases seen in veterans;  the objectives in treating them and how to tailor the choices of treatment to the individual cases,

• increase accuracy in diagnosis in cases in which "common" disorders may present in "uncommon" or unusual ways,

• discuss practical information and ideas regarding choices of treatment in a variety of skin conditions,  

INTENDED AUDIENCE: Physicians, Nurses, and Other Interested Professionals of the Northern Arizona VA Health Care System. 

AGENDA: 

TOPIC – Effective Measures to Reduce Suicides in the Primary Care Population

Presenter: Ali Cassidy, LCSW  

9:00 AM – 9:15 AM

The Importance Of Suicide Risk Screening In The Primary Care Setting/ Exploring Attitudes About Suicide

9:15 AM - 9:30 AM

The Bio-Psychosocial Approach To Identifying/Screening The Suicidal Patient

9:30 AM - 9:45 AM

Effective Measures To Reduce Suicides In The Primary Care Population And Q&A

9:45 AM – 10:00 AM

Question and Answer 

TOPIC – Sleep Apnea And The Heart

Presenter: Robert Rosenberg, DO, FCCP

10:00 AM – 10:15 AM

Pathophysiology Of Obstructive, Central And Complex Sleep Apnea

10:15 AM - 10:30 AM

Sleep Disordered Breathing And Cardiovascular Disorders

10:30 AM - 10:45 AM

Treatment Options For All Types Of Sleep Disordered Breathing

10:45 AM – 11:00 AM

Risks Of Untreated Sleep Apnea

11:00 AM

Program Closure 

TOPIC – Skin Disorders 

Presenter: Robert Wilson, MD

11:00 AM – 11:15 AM

Overview Of Frequently Diagnosed Skin Conditions.

11:15 AM – 11:30 AM

Therapeutic Options In Treating Psoriasis, Eczema Of Various Sorts, Skin Cancer And Actinic Keratoses.

11:30 AM – 11:45 AM

Followup Of Difficult Cases:  When, How Often, How Much?

11:45 AM – 12:00 PM

Open Forum For Critique, Questions, Suggestions And Answers.

12:00 PM  - Program Closure 

CONTINUING EDUCATION: The Southwest Health Professions Education Center, Inc. (SEC) certifies this program for 3 contact hours.  A certificate of attendance will be awarded.   

[ CME ]  --  The VA Employee Education System designates this educational activity for a maximum of 3 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s) ^TM.  Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

 [ CNE ]  --  The Southwest Health Professions Education Center, Inc. (SEC) is a provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, provider # CEP 11270.  This program is approved for 3 contact hours. 

REGISTRATION: There is no registration fee for this program, but pre-registration is required.  Includes course material. Confirmation letters will not be sent.