NEWS!

CLASS OF 2009 VISITS CLEVELAND IN NOVEMBER

Leadership Ohio Class of 2009, November 2009 -- Urbanism and Health Care

The weekend opened with a very powerful experience.  The class met at St. Malachi’s Catholic Church on the near west side of Cleveland.  Many volunteers were recruited to participate in the Community Action Poverty Simulation which is a unique tool that educates everyone, from policy makers to local community leaders, about the day to day realities of life with a shortage of money and an abundance of stress. During a simulation, participants role-play the lives of low-income families, from single parents trying to care for their children to senior citizens trying to maintain their self sufficiency on Social Security. The task of each family is to provide food, shelter and other basic necessities during the simulation while interacting with various community resources staffed by low-income volunteers.  Although it uses "play" money and other props, fictional scenarios, and time limits, it is not a game. It is a simulation tool that enables participants to view poverty from different angles in an experiential setting, while empowering low-income volunteers by allowing them an opportunity to interact with leaders from their community.

After lunch sponsored by the Executive Director, Kathy Rednour, the group headed to University Hospitals (UH) for a tour of the Radiology Department led by Pat Devlin and Rosanne Lee-Prokop. The group was provided information on animal research and the variety of special equipment used to diagnose patients.

The group then headed to the Ruhlman Board Room to hear from Dr. Jeff Duerk, Professor of Radiology, Chairman Biomedical Engineering Case Western Reserve University and Dr. Michael Anderson, Interim Chief Medical Officer who provided an update on H1N1 and its impact, especially children. The class then heard from Nikki Scarpitti on Healthcare Reform and Impact for providers.  Up next was Gayle Agahi from the Northeast Ohio Health and Science & Innovation (NOHSIC), Director of External Partnerships, Talent Management, Cleveland Clinic.  The class stayed at UH and had dinner in the Board Room sponsored by UH. 

Saturday morning the class met at the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs. The first speaker was Isam Zaiem, President of the Cleveland Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (C.A.I.R) and offered the class a closer look at Islam.  Next was Dr. Ned Hill, Dean, Urban Affairs.  The class also heard from John Begala, Executive Director, Center for Community Solutions who discussed the underserved population and the Health Economy Research Project.  Dr. Bette Bonder, Dean, College of Science for Cleveland State provided insights on community capacity building to reduce health disparities.

Lunch was sponsored by board member Jim Otten and following lunch was graduation for the class of 2009.  Mick Proximire was awarded the first Bernie Zofcin Leadership Award and the class also presented the Leadership Ohio Community Hero award to Alice Chapman from Marietta, founder of the Ely Chapman Center, a non-profit organization, whose mission is to provide enrichment programs for the community at large, including hands-on  earning, and job training for individuals with diverse backgrounds.

Another great year for Leadership Ohio and great experiences for Leadership Ohio class XVI.

~~  Submitted by Michelle Van Wormer