Free On-line STD Training Program for Clinicians

I’d like to announce the launch of a new online STD training program for health care providers, Just Ask!  Could you please add this course to your center’s online course listings and announce it in your instructor-led, STD-related courses for health care providers. I’ve attached a pdf flyer you can print and distribute (PDF, 75K).

This program was developed by the Academic Edge, Inc. through funding provided by the CDC. Our partners/subject matter experts are:

• John F. Toney, MD - Medical Director of the Southeast Region STD/HIV Prevention Training Center
• J. Dennis Fortenberry, MD - Professor of Pediatrics, Indiana University
• Linda M. Kollar, RN, MSN, Clinical Director, Division of Adolescent Medicine, Children's Hospital Medical Center

At this time the course is free and no CME is available (unless your center provides CMEs – if so, let me know). However, we ask that participants complete a research survey upon completion of the course.

Just Ask! Communicating Confidently about STDs, HIV, and Sexual Activity <http://www.justaskstd.com/>

The American Journal of Preventative Medicine reports that only 28% of patients are asked about STDs in routine medical checkups. Furthermore, health care professionals aren’t reinforcing behaviors that prevent the acquisition and transmission of HIV and STDs. That’s why the Center for Disease Control recommends that all health care professionals discuss with their patients topics related to the patient’s sexual activity. The aim of this online course is to present the best practices and methods that will enable health care professionals to confidently interact with patients during the assessment, screening, treatment, and prevention of HIV and STDs. Just Ask! is a free, self-paced, online training course for health care providers.

Please feel free to forward this announcement to other centers or people who may be helpful in recommending this course to others.

Peter C. Honebein, Ph.D.
The Academic Edge
5450 Wintergreen Lane
Reno, NV 89511
o: 775-849-0371
c: 775-846-0398
f: 775-849-0374
www.academicedge.com

Fellowship Opportunity

We are delighted to share the call for applications for the 2008-2010 cohort of the Charlotte Ellertson Social Science Postdoctoral Fellowship in Abortion and Reproductive Health – and would like to ask for your help in recruiting strong candidates.  Support for research in this area of great policy significance is largely absent, and trained researchers who focus in it are scarce.

Applications for the fellowship are accepted on line and must be received by 11:59 p.m. PST, Monday, December 3rd, 2007. We will announce fellowship awards on March 3rd, 2008.

The fellowship aims to support promising social science and public health researchers who can study abortion and reproductive health from the perspective of their own disciplines and who can bridge the divide between research, policy and practice. Fellows engage in independent and guided research, tap into the network of researchers, service providers and advocates at each fellowship site, and interact with policy and advocacy organizations.  We seek applicants who are committed to working on abortion and to developing careers that include a focus on abortion research and policy. 

We are recruiting five fellows for the 2008-2010 fellowship cohort; one at each of the fellowship sites:  Columbia University, the Guttmacher Institute, Ibis Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of California, San Francisco. Fellowships begin no later than September 30, 2008 and are awarded for two years, with the second year contingent upon successful completion of the first.

I have attached a PDF file with a flyer describing the fellowship in more detail. We hope that you will encourage strong postdoctoral researchers who would be interested in this fellowship to apply. 

With many thanks for your help,
Sarah Jane Holcombe, Fellowship Director
Ibis Reproductive Health

Register Today and Save! The 26th Annual Women’s Health Update

You don’t want to miss this conference! The Early Bird registration fees end on October 8th so send in your registration today.  If you haven’t made your hotel reservation yet, there is still time.  The special sleeping room rate of $140.00 + tax has been extended until October 3rd.

October 17-19, 2007
San Francisco Airport Marriott
Burlingame, California

(650) 692-9100

Discounted registration fees and travel stipends are available for Title X providers!

Click here to visit the conference website for agenda and registration details.

Two Opportunities for Young People from Scenarios USA

Enter the REAL DEAL Contest

Scenarios USA is a non-profit organization that hosts the annual "What’s the REAL DEAL?" story, play and scriptwriting contest for young people. The winning writers will be partnered with Hollywood directors to transform their stories into short health education films. This year’s topic is: "What’s the REAL DEAL about Masculinity?"

How do I enter the contest?

The contest is open to young people ages 12-22 living in:

• New York City
• Greater Cleveland, OH
• The Rio Grande Valley, TX

Deadline for submissions is November 28, 2007

Visit our website to get info on the topic and how to submit.

Help Choose the Winners: Join the REAL DEAL Selection Committee!

Scenarios USA needs your help to select the winning submissions that will be turned into Hollywood-produced short films. Become a Selection Committee member and join hundreds of people from across the country who will read stories from the Scenarios USA "What’s the REAL DEAL?" writing contest. This opportunity is open to young people and adults.

Scenarios USA is a non-profit organization that hosts an annual story, play and scriptwriting contest for youth ages 12-22. Hundreds of young people are currently writing about this year’s contest topic: "What’s the REAL DEAL about Masculinity?" The winning writers will be partnered with Hollywood directors to transform their stories into short films.

Previous directors who have worked with Scenarios USA include Doug Liman (Mr. & Mrs. Smith), Michael Apted (The World Is Not Enough) and Gina Prince-Bythewood (Love & Basketball). Each year an estimated 15 million people watch a Scenarios USA film. Your participation is not only greatly appreciated, but vital to this process and our organization. Please join us.

Questions? Call us toll free at 866-414-1044

How do I join the Selection Committee?

All people ages 12 and up are invited to join the Selection Committee, no matter where you live

You will read 10 submissions and rank them using an online form, which you will receive by email in early January 2008

Visit our website to sign up now.

Questions? Visit www.scenariosusa.org or call us toll free at 866-414-1044