Continuing Education Dept Hosts Workshop March 17
By Esther Gieschen
Graph from www.yourdoctorsorders.com
Chronic Hepatitis C infection is a commonly silent disease that according to the Center of Disease Control affects an estimated 3.2 million Americans. For primary care providers looking to address Hepatitis, the University of Wisconsin-Superior’s Continuing Education Department will be holding a program on Tuesday, March 17, from 4 to 9:30 p.m. at Barkers Island Inn & Convention Center in Superior.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services estimates 74,000 people in Wisconsin are infected; 50 percent of them baby boomers. The Institute of Medicine reports that up to 75 percent of those infected are unaware that they are infected. Yet, with appropriate care, Hepatitis C can be a virologically curable infection.
Participants attending this conference will learn about the tools available to help identify patients at risk, efficiently and effectively screen/test them, and make the appropriate referrals for diagnosis and treatment; current and upcoming therapies for Hepatitis C; new Center of Disease Control guidelines and resources available to educate and support your patients.
Registration is $50 for those requiring CME credit and $30 for all other professionals. Registration fee includes a buffet dinner.
Preceding the event on that day, March 17, there will be two free information sessions for persons with Hepatitis C and their families. The first will take place from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Duluth Public Library with the second following at the Superior Public Library from 3 to 4 p.m.
Speakers include Sherry Johnson, DNT, FNP; Sheila Guilfoyle, Viral Hepatitis Prevention Coordinator, Wisconsin Division of Public Health; and Diane Thompson, MPH, Hepatitis C Community Educator, Abbvie.
Partial financial support for this program provided by AbbVie – Gilead. For more information or to register, call (715) 394-8469 or click on this LINK at uwsuper.edu/health.
