Jamie DaSilva

LifeLong looks forward to continuing our partnership with Mmapeu Consulting as part of our ongoing efforts to reinvigorate our diversity, equity, and inclusion work within the organization.

We are currently receiving nominations to be part of the Reimagining The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (RTD) Committee of 15-17 LifeLong employees. 

The purpose of these meetings is to reimagine, re-vision, and refine what DEIB means at LifeLong, and to provide concrete recommendations for how to embed DEIB into our organizational practices. 

The first (and only) in-person meeting for the Committee is scheduled on Tuesday 10/25/22 (90 min). The remaining 3 (75 min each) will be via Zoom.  

You can self-nominate to be a candidate for the committee. Please complete this Nominee Form.

You can also nominate a peer or colleague. Please complete the Nominator Form.  

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT NOMINATIONS HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO FRIDAY 10/7/22.  

Please take a moment to review the Reimagining The DEIB Committee FAQ for more details prior to submitting your nomination. 

 National Hispanic Heritage Month takes place between September 15th and October 15th. Why does it begin in the middle of the month? September 15th is the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico, Chile and Belize also celebrate their independence days during this period. The annual celebration honors the contributions and heritage of Hispanic and Latinx communities throughout American history. Begun in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week, until it expanded in 1988 to what is now known as National Hispanic Heritage Month. 

To learn more about the rich history, diverse cultures, and influence of the Hispanic/Latinx communities, check out this PBS programming;   Hispanic Heritage Month, or visit your local public library and the   Smithsonian Hispanic Heritage page. 

The Hispanic Heritage Foundation identifies, inspires, prepares, and connects Latinx leaders in the community, classroom, and workforce. To learn more, click here. 

LifeLong is excited to launch a new partnership with Diane Johnson, PhD, Founder and CEO of Mmapeu Consulting. Dr. Johnson is going to lead LifeLong in a reimagining of our diversity, equity, and inclusion work, to which we have added “belonging” (DEIB).  

Mmapeu means “woman who carries ideas” in the Xhosa language. She was given that name when she worked in South Africa in the 1990’s.  

Please click on the link below to watch this 7-min. video message to LifeLong staff from Dr. Johnson. 

Dr. Johnson is an internationally recognized expert in organizational culture design with 30 years of experience in the private, public, and social sectors. Fifteen to seventeen LifeLong employees will get the chance to work with her and her team in 4 meetings from October 25 through January 10, 2023. The purpose of these meetings is to reimagine, re-vision, and refine what DEIB means at LifeLong, and to provide concrete recommendations for how to embed DEIB into our organizational practices. 

The first (and only) in-person meeting for the Committee is scheduled on Tuesday 10/25/22 (90 min). The remaining 3 (75 min each) will be via Zoom.  

You can self-nominate to be a candidate for the committee. Please complete this Nominee Form.

You can also nominate a peer or colleague. Please complete the Nominator Form. 

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT NOMINATIONS IS FRIDAY 10/7/22.  

 Please take a moment to review the Reimagining The DEIB Committee FAQ for more details prior to submitting your nomination.  

By Kathryn Stambaugh | Geriatric Services Director 

Thursday September 22 is Falls Prevention Awareness Day. This day is set aside for a reason. One-third of adults over age 65 and half of adults over age 80 fall each year. Forty percent of falls result in minor injuries and 10% result in major injuries. Even minor falls often lead to reduction in activity, isolation, and functional decline – all of which impact quality of life and increase the likelihood of future falls and nursing home placement. 

Common risk factors include previous falls, gait, and balance impairments, decreased muscle strength, vision impairment, four or more psychotropic meds, depression, orthostasis, being over 80 years old, cognitive impairment, and arthritis. The more risk factors, the greater the risk of falling. 

The good news: While falls are a major cause of morbidity and mortality among older adults, many falls are preventable. 

Most falls are the result of the cumulative effects of multiple impairments – not a single cause – so a multifactorial approach to fall prevention is key. The CDC has developed a tool called STEADI, which can be found here and in Epic’s screening tab.  

Here are some steps to take in clinic to address fall risk: 

1. Ask patients if they have fallen or are afraid of falling. These evidence-based questions are prompted annually in Care Gaps for patients aged 65+. 
    

2. If a patient reports a fall, get more information. What happened? Confirm a fall vs syncope. Check gait and balance using a tool such as the Timed Up and Go (which is available as a flowsheet in Epic and can be completed by a trained MA). 
    

3. Share fall prevention resources with patients: 
   My Mobility Plan (Home Safety Checklist) 
   What You Can Do To Prevent Falls  
    

4. For recurrent falls or a gait disturbance, complete a multifactorial fall assessment or refer to LifeLong’s Geriatrics consult service. 
    
   To request a Geriatrics consult, route a telephone encounter with any relevant background and your specific consult questions to pool “P SA185 Geriatric Consult Over 60” or directly to Michael Goldrich, MD.   
    

5. Learn more about fall prevention! 
   – Inservice by Dr. Mike Harper of UCSF (31-minute video of presentation to Over 60 team)  
   – Mary Tinetti, MD, “The Patient Who Falls” (JAMA. 2010 Jan 20; 303(3):258-266) 

On Saturday, Sept. 17th our William Jenkins Health Center was formally dedicated and tours were provided to community members. Postponed since 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this special event honored the legacy of Dr. William M. Jenkins. Dr. Jenkins was a beloved East Bay physician and a 2001 National Medical Association Doctor of the Year who served an astounding 1 million children during his pediatric medical career. Dr. Jenkins passed away on August 15, 2012 and left a lasting impression on the local community after practicing medicine in Oakland and Richmond for more than 50 years. Dr. Jenkins was the first African American resident at Children’s Hospital Oakland, as well as the first African American pediatrician in Richmond. Dr. Jenkins provided the highest quality health care regardless of his patients’ ability to pay and embodied LifeLong’s daily commitment to compassionate patient care.

Congressman Mark De Saulnier was unable to attend but click here to watch a  video greeting. 

Pictured left to right: Brisa Carranza, Olivia Frutos, Dr. Nathan Stern, Julie Sinai

LifeLong Medical Care will formally dedicate the William Jenkins Health Center on Saturday September 17, 2022 at an event from 11am to 2pm. This gathering is open to the community and staff. There will be a short program starting at 11:30 am, followed by tours of the buiding and a light to-go lunch. Please join us for this special occasion.