NN/LM PNR is pleased to announce funding to support implementation of Go Local in the Pacific Northwest. The MedlinePlus Go Local project links MedlinePlus users to health services in their local community related to the health topic they are researching. Conversely, the project also directs users of the Go Local site to MedlinePlus health topics. For example, users get medical information on diabetes from MedlinePlus and then visit a Go Local site for nearby health programs, services, and providers.

The end user experience for Go Local is that each MedlinePlus health topic links to relevant local services on the Go Local site. Go Local sites receive this user traffic from each MedlinePlus health topic and route it to a page listing matching Go Local records or to a page explaining that the site contains no matching local services. To see how these links work, choose a Go Local area from the pull-down list or map link on any MedlinePlus health topic page.

To see the full funding announcement and call for submissions, please visit - http://nnlm.gov/pnr/funding/golocal-2007.html (more…)

NN/LM PNR recently learned that Network member, Dolores Judkins, received special recognition from the Multnomah Education Service District (MESD) for her professional collaboration with their Department of School Health Services. In a letter we received from Janice Gratton, the Board Chairperson for MESD, she states that “Dolores’ ongoing commitment to providing information and growing internet navigation competency and information resources for school nurses has supported the advancement of clinical school nurse practice and ultimately student’s health and safety across the state of Oregon.”

Dolores was recognized at the MESD Board meeting on December 19, 2006. Ms. Judkins has been working with the Department of School Health Services since the late 1990s. She has obtained several grants to develop trainings for the use of internet resources and focuses her work on the needs of the school nurse. Janice Gratton goes on to state, “Today, for best practice, school nurses must continuously use the web and be discriminating to ensure use of evidence-based information. Dolores facilitated staff’s readiness for today’s professional practice obligations.”

The NN/LM PNR joins the Multnomah Education Service District in congratulating Dolores Judkins in her unwavering commitment to providing quality service to school nurses, and ultimately students, across the state of Oregon!

Request for Quotations:
AIDS Community Information Outreach Projects 2007

The National Library of Medicine is pleased to announce the solicitation of quotations from community-based organizations and libraries to design and conduct projects that will improve access to HIV/AIDS related health information for patients, the affected community, and their caregivers. (more…)

Sue Jacobsen, librarian at Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon, WA, saw an article posted on Medscape.com and felt compelled to respond. The editorial, dated Februrary 12, 2007, was written by Susannah Fox of the Pew Internet and American Life Project. In it, Ms. Fox encourages physicians to “…acknowledge that most Americans are using the Internet to gather health information. Ask your patients about their online research. Provide the key words they might use when they go home to search for more information.” (more…)

The Washington Health Foundation (WHF) is funding community initiatives to make Washington the Healthiest State in the Nation. In 2007, WHF has two grant programs: Major Grants and Mini Grants. Both grants encourage community-based initiatives that contribute to making Washington the Healthiest State in the Nation. (more…)

Article by Sue Jacobsen, MLS
Skagit Valley Hospital, Mt. Vernon, WA

The Skagit Valley Health Literacy Project was quickly renamed the GetHELP project for marketing purposes. In this moniker, HELP stands for _H_ealth, _E_ducation, _L_ibrary _P_artnership. GetHELP sought to reach out to the low literate and/or low-income population of health care consumers in Skagit County. The purpose of the project was to improve from a number of different perspectives, the health literacy of this population. Sue Jacobsen, librarian at Skagit Valley Hospital, lead the project. Other partners included public librarians, community college librarians, public health workers and the local senior center. (more…)