Northeastern Spotlight

Spring 2019 Volume 14 – Number 1

News and Announcements

Virginia’s Annual TB and Refugee Nurse Training, Focusing Below the Surface – Williamsburg, VA

The Virginia Department of Health’s Division of TB and Newcomer Health (DTBNH) hosted their annual TB and Refugee Nurse Training on September 25-27, 2018 with the theme of TB Prevention: Focusing Below the Surface. Around 80 participants from the 35 Virginia health districts attended with many others viewing online. In-person attendees had opportunities to meet, share experiences, and network with central office staff, guest speakers, and their peers in other parts of the state.

Attendees and faculty during the training

Speakers from the CDC, Virginia State Lab, University of Virginia, local Virginia health departments, Department of Social Services, Global TB Institute, and Resettlement agencies presented on a myriad of topics such as: laboratory technology, case management, community engagement, LTBI treatment updates and educational messaging to improve acceptance and adherence, contact investigations, working with Afghans, and the US refugee admissions process. On the evening of the 25th the group enjoyed a screening of the documentary, Talking Story, which chronicled the lives, rituals, and wisdom of traditional healers and spiritual leaders from diverse world cultures.

To wrap up the event, awards were given to Health Districts for both Tuberculosis and Newcomer Health categories.  The awards presented were: the Newcomer Health Excellence award – awarded based on nominations from local resettlement agencies, the “B” award – awarded based on performance for evaluating TB classified individuals, and the Spittoon award – awarded based on performance on NTIP indicators. 

Recipients for the B Award

Recipients for the Spittoon Award

Recipients for the Spittoon Award

Participant evaluations of the event have been encouraging and suggest the DTBNH continue to provide this type of intense annual training, giving feedback such as, “The clinical presentations by faculty were outstanding. I appreciated the expertise of external partners,” “The best ever!!” and “Very good – a lot of work went into this and it is appreciated!  Thanks for all that you do for us and for your responsiveness to our questions.”

Submitted by Virginia Department of Health