Vicksburg, MS-
Converge Co-Founder, Jamie Bardwell, was awarded the Randy Caperton Public Health Administrator of the Year Award at the Mississippi Public Health Association Conference in Vicksburg, MS. This award is given to one who has made outstanding contributions to the Public Health Sector. Out of a pool of nominations, Jamie was chosen.
We are just honored to have her as one of our leaders and blessed she was recognized for the work she and Danielle accomplishes daily.
Minneapolis, MN-
Our Measurement, Learning, and Evaluation Team gathered last week to attend the American Public Health Association’s Annual Conference.
Training Manager, Dani Lahn, and Monitoring, Learning, and Evaluation Manager, Carmen Cummings, were able to meet a number of exhibitors and share the work we do at Converge. Dr. Ellie Smith, VP of MLE, presented at a session entitled, “Reproductive Justice Informed Reproductive Healthcare Provision and Access to Promote Health Equity”. She also sat on a panel with research partners from the University of Southern MS to discuss our GetPersonal ReproHealth Kits, STI Testing Kits, and access to contraception within MS.
The MLE team thoroughly enjoyed themselves. We appreciate that they continue to work extremely hard for Converge and we are so thankful for all they do.
Chicago, IL-
Our Medical Director, Renata Chatman, attended the 27th Annual Women’s Healthcare Conference hosted by the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health.
While in Chicago, IL, Renata was able to listen in and learn about the latest discoveries in women’s healthcare on topics such as: Addressing Misinformation, OB/GYN Coding, Abortion Care, Vulvovaginal Dermatology, and more. Attendees were also able to learn and earn up to 24 CE credits with sessions tailored for WHNPs, APRNs, CNMs, FNPs, and students. Renata was afforded the opportunity to network with tons of other healthcare providers.
We’re so proud of the expertise Renata brings to our organization & we look forward to her continued growth.
Atlanta, GA-
Chief of Staff, Jitoria Hunter, and VP of MLE, Dr. Ellie Smith attended the Black Maternal Health Conference and Training Institute in Atlanta, Georgia. This conference served as a forum dedicated to Black Maternal Health and ways to improve outcomes for black mothers.
Jitoria and Ellie’s presentation was entitled, “Converge’s GetPersonal and Reproductive Health Kits: Applying Reproductive Justice to Close the Gap for Black Birthing People’s Contraceptive Needs”. Attendees were fully engaged and intrigued on our progress in Mississippi.
We are extremely proud of the connections Jitoria and Ellie made. We know that our support and the support of other organizations is instrumental in the advancement of maternal health.
Philadelphia, PA-
MLE Team members Carmen Cummings and Dr. Ellie Smith, along with our TN Nurse Manager, Ashley Lacy, attended the National Reproductive Health Conference, hosted by the Clinical Training Center for Sexual and Reproductive Health in Philadelphia, PA. During the conference, Carmen and Ellie tabled at the expo for Converge Connect, Converge’s tailored, person-centered training arm for diverse learner populations.
Ellie also presented a poster presentation titled “Promoting Person-Centered Care: Improvement and Evaluation of a Person-Centered Contraceptive Counseling Online Training Course” on the evaluation and updating of Converge’s most popular online course, Person-Centered Contraceptive Counseling.
Converge was honored to join such a successful event and we are extremely proud of Ellie, Carmen, and Ashley.
Jackson, MS-
Audrey Sandusky is a seasoned public health communications and marketing professional with 15 years of experience in media advocacy, social marketing and television and online journalism.
Prior to Converge, Audrey served as Senior Director of Policy & Communications at the National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association (NFPRHA), a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit membership association representing safety-net family planning providers and administrators. Beginning in 2018, Audrey spearheaded NFPRHA’s national media outreach efforts in response to several high-profile legal cases impacting the Title X network, including the Trump-era Title X rule. With an extensive background in media, communications, and issue campaigns, Audrey also served as one of NFPRHA’s media spokespeople and played a key role in developing and amplifying various media advocacy and social marketing campaigns in support of NFPRHA’s nationwide membership.
Her passion lies in crafting narratives that highlight the individual and community-based impacts of reproductive health policies to increase public awareness and drive action.
Before joining NFPRHA, Audrey led media outreach for Robert Wood Johnson Foundation clinical scholars at IQ Solutions, a D.C.-area public affairs firm, and spent seven years supporting patient and issue advocacy efforts at the American Public Health Association and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. She started her career as a local TV news reporter for a CBS affiliate in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Audrey is a graduate of American University and received her Master’s in Public Health at George Washington University. Originally from Ohio, Audrey lives in Denver, Colorado, with her husband and two daughters.
We are happy to welcome Audrey and her expertise to our team!
Jackson, MS-
Converge is so proud of our Co-Founder, Danielle Lampton, for serving as panelist on yesterday during the Democracy in Action Convening held at the Jackson Convention Complex.
The conversation was entitled, “Civic Engagement and Reproductive Justice.” They spoke on various topics including: Policy Advocacy & Legislation, Expanding Access in Rural Areas, Intersexuality in Reproductive Justice, Engaging Youth Voters, Community Engagement & Grassroots Organizing, Role of Storytelling, and Building Alliances with Other Movements.
We’re thankful to be led by women who aren’t afraid to be advocates for reproductive justice and are willing to have the uncomfortable conversations. Great job to Danielle and her fellow panelists.
Virtual Course-
Converge is thrilled to announce our MLE (Measurement, Learning, and Evaluation) Team has been partnering with UMMC on a self-paced course for Physicians, Nurses, Social Workers, and any other interested healthcare workers. The course is entitled, “Addressing Interpersonal Violence and Substance Use Disorder Among Pregnant Women.”
We are extremely proud of Dani and Carmen and all the work they’ve put in to make this course and this partnership a success.
Clarksdale, MS-
Yesterday, our Community Engagement Coordinator, Dasia Dyson, and one of our Patient Experience Council Members, Genvieve Martin, kicked off our College Tour Initiative at Coahoma Community College. CCC hosted an event called, “Connecting the Healthcare Dots.” During this event, students and staff visited different booths and tables speaking with various organizations about ways to stay healthy and learn about ways these organizations can be of service to them.
Our GetPersonal table was full of information about our many services and goodies for our visitors to take. This was just one stop on the College Tour our Engagement Team has planned. During this tour, we hope to share our services with college aged students in hopes to fill the gaps in our state when it comes to sexual and reproductive health.
To add your campus or your event to our tour, please contact Dasia Dyson, ddyson@convergeaccess.org.
Mound Bayou, MS-
Yesterday, our Communications Manager, Mara Scott- Campbell, attended the Mississippi Delta Maternal Health Roundtable Discussion in Mound Bayou, MS at Delta Health Center. This event was hosted by the Health Resources and Services Administration in collaboration with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Health, and the Mississippi State Department of Health.
The conversations throughout the day were broken into sections; enough time for participants and guests to discuss each one: Improving Maternal Health in the Mississippi Delta: Challenges, Best Practices, and Opportunities for Action, Addressing the Syphilis/ Congenital Syphilis Epidemic: Challenges, Best Practices, and Opportunities for Action, and Leveraging Federal Resources and Partnerships.
Mara was excited to share what Converge has been doing to combat the syphilis spread by explaining to attendees how our Free At-Home STD/STI Testing Kits work. Listeners were thoroughly pleased to hear of this service and were willing to pass this information on within their various organizations.
The federal partners in attendance left with a new outlook on the issues communities in the MS Delta are facing on a daily basis within the reproductive and sexual healthcare field. We look forward to having more conversations of this nature as we continue to be advocates for Mississippians.
All people deserve access to quality, affordable reproductive and sexual health care. Your support helps us expand access, training, and advocacy to improve the patient experience for everyone.