COVID-19 cases have taken center stage in the Central Kenai Peninsula, as the numbers have prompted area schools to enter High Risk, closing school buildings to students. To better educate Alaskans about the state of the COVID-19 emergency, state public health leaders are offering access to themselves for the public to ask questions. Each Wednesday at noon, a team including Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Anne Zink, as well as Alaska’s Chief Epidemiologist, Joe McLaughlin, will discuss the latest science and the medical response to COVID-19.
There are other ECHO meetings being held throughout the week, as well. Dr. Anne Zink detailed what the program has to offer during a recent conference: “Just a reminder: we have a whole bunch of meetings that happen all the time. The public is welcome to join. There are lots of great conversations happening about school, faith-based community meetings, large gatherings, local government, medical providers, our science ECHO, dental, there’s one for media, EMS, and so these are our ongoing meetings that we have with community members and people from across the state. I appreciate everyone who calls into these and asks questions. There are lots of other places to get your questions answered, to hear what else is going on, and to share what you’re doing in your community.”
Project ECHO stands for Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes. It is a collaborative model of medical education and care management that empowers clinicians everywhere to provide better care to more people, right where they live.
Project ECHO creates a virtual learning network with real-time access to a team of multidisciplinary experts. Each session features a brief lecture and an interactive case or process discussion.
The COVID-19 Science ECHO programs are held at noon on Wednesdays. They are streamed live on Facebook or via Zoom. Registration takes place online by following this link for the Alaska ECHO program.