Submitted by Barbara L. Knight
Library of the Health Sciences, Grand Forks ND
The Health Sciences Information Section of the North Dakota Library Association (NDLA) met on April 18, 2008 at MeritCare Health System in Fargo, North Dakota. The meeting was attended by a cross-section of eleven members. The program for this meeting was "Crucial Conversations: How to Communicate in an Open, Honest, & Effective Way" presented by Linda Schwartzwalter, Manager of Organization & Leadership Development Services at MeritCare Health System. The presentation included information on the crucial aspects of healthcare conversations as well as ideas we could each utilize to enhance communications with others. We were also provided with an excellent list of resources that we could refer to and share with others.
Our business meeting included updates on the NDLA programming and activities, Midwest Chapter activities, and a GMR Update. Members were encouraged to join the Midwest Chapter if not already a member. We discussed the funding available from NDLA, Midwest Chapter, and the GMR related to professional development activities. Everyone was encouraged to apply for appropriate funding.
Our North Dakota representative to the GMR NN/LM Disaster Preparedness & Response Plan Committee, Ann Pederson, provided an overview of the program. She distributed the "Service Continuity Plan/ NN/LM Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan" and reviewed other information she received at the GMR meeting on April 16th. The group decided on the following actions: (1) to each review the Tool Kit at http://nnlm.gov/ep/, (2) to consider partners for their Memorandum of Understandings for Health Sciences, Hospital/System, or Medical Library for Emergency Preparedness Support, and (3) to meet via ND IVN in mid to late July to discuss progress and next steps.
We concluded the meeting by touring the Consumer Health & Business Center at MeritCare. The center offers an abundance of up to date health information along with assistance to find the information in many formats including brochures, pamphlets, and on the Internet. It also provides fax services, computers to send and receive e-mails, WiFi connection, and is a designated location for cell phone usage.