More than 120 attendees visit Cultural Symposium
The Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council Foundation Hospital Engagement Network (DFW HEN) hosted the educational event “Educating the Next CLAS: Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Today’s Healthcare Environment” on Wednesday at UT Arlington. More than 120 attendees visited the all-day seminar focusing on ways to provide respectful quality healthcare responsive to the diverse needs of the community.
Speakers included (l to r) Dr. Jennifer Edwards, Dr. Christina Cordero, Yolanda Robles, Sylvia Moreno and Tia Jamir.
“We were so pleased with the participation,” said Kristin Jenkins, president of the DFWHC Foundation. “Studies show minority Americans experience poorer than average outcomes. More than 30 percent of direct medical costs faced by African Americans, Hispanics and Asian Americans are due to health inequities—almost $60 billion each year. The purpose of this event was to educate and build upon our local resources. With three different panels and an engaged audience, the symposium was a great success.”
The session addressed the standards of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) in Health and Health Care. It also detailed policies and best practices regarding workforce, language assistance, improvement and accountability through more than 12 presentations.
Speakers included Dr. Christina Cordero of The Joint Commission; Luanne Stout of Texas Health Resources; Cyndi Ramirez Ryan of Baylor Scott & White Health; Nikki Sumpter of JPS Health Network; Sylvia Moreno of Parkland Hospital & Hospital System; Yvette Wingate of Tarrant County Public Health; Dr. Jim Dunn of Parkland Health & Hospital System; and Karin Petties of UNT Health Science Center.
For information on event presentations, please contact Crystee Cooper at ccooper@dfwhcfoundation.org.