In this episode of REACHing for Vaccine Equity, learn more about kidney health and how people can continue to thrive with the preventive power of vaccinating and adopting healthy behaviors. More than 37 million adults in the United States are estimated to have chronic kidney disease, and most don’t even know it. Community health leaders from the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan (NKFM) share their successes and challenges in reaching patients with kidney disease.
In this podcast episode hosted by AIM iREACH project Public Health Consultant Lisa Jacques-Carroll:
· Learn about the Minute for Your Kidneys program from REACH recipients Cynthia Nichols-Jackson andTheresa Tejada. Also, hear about their strategies, challenges, and the health inequities they are working to overcome in their community.
· Learn how they worked with partners, trusted messengers and the community to promote and provide COVID-19 and flu vaccination in their communities.
· Get motivating tips and ideas for best practices that reach and support diverse communities to achieve health and vaccine equity.
About Cynthia:
Cynthia Nichols-Jackson, MSN, BSN, RN has been a Program Coordinator for the past seven years at the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan (NKFM). In this role, she takes calls from people needing information regarding kidney health and disease, coordinates NKFM’s Peer Mentor and CKD internship programs, arranges community kidney screenings, and presents Community Kidney Talks. Prior to joining NKFM, Cynthia was a registered nurse in internal medicine for 37 years, earning her BSN from the University of Michigan and her Master of Nursing Education degree from Walden University.
Cynthia was diagnosed with systemic lupus in 1986 and chronic kidney disease in 1988, which led to end stage renal disease in 2005. She did hemodialysis in-center for one-and-a-half years. In 2006, Cynthia received a living kidney donation from her girlfriend. Nine years later, Cynthia returned to dialysis in 2014 and received her second kidney transplant in 2020. Cynthia is healthy, active and living her best life!
About Theresa:
Theresa has worked at public health-focused nonprofits for 13 years, working in facets such as nutrition education, program management, and strategic development. In her current role with the REACH initiative at the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan, Theresa works on projects to reduce health disparities in Wayne County through policies, systems, and environmental change strategies. These activities are centered on access to healthy foods and safe and diverse opportunities for physical activity. To accomplish this work, Theresa works in partnership with community as a member of the Western Wayne Food Policy Council, the Inkster Task Force Farmers Market Planning Committee, the Norwayne Community Citizens Council, and the Lower Rouge Water Trail Leadership Committee.
Theresa also works to bring community-based flu and COVID-19 vaccination outreach and administration opportunities. She has been part of a team that has coordinated mobile vaccination events in community locations, hosted online learning opportunities, and attended community events to conduct vaccine education.
Connect and Links:
Vax Facts: https://nkfm.org/program-article/covid-19-and-flu-vaccine-weekly-updates/#vff
33% Campaign: https://www.kidney.org/phi/155274/awareness
Alana’s Foundation: https://www.alanasfoundation.org/
About the podcast:
REACHing for Vaccine Equity is a limited series podcast hosted by the iREACH team at the Association of Immunization Managers (AIM). This series of informative episodes discusses how individuals living with chronic health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, clinical depression, and more, can continue to thrive with the preventative power of getting vaccinated and adopting healthy behaviors. Each episode will provide examples of vaccine equity initiatives for specific health conditions and share tips for community leaders on reaching and supporting diverse communities to achieve health and vaccine equity. Meet iREACH recipients who will share successful strategies they’ve used in their communities, their challenges, and the health inequities they are working to overcome.
AIM is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to establishing a nation free of vaccine-preventable diseases and eliminating health disparities. Visit our website ImmunizationManagers.org to get resources to help your community thrive. This podcast series is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. All episodes were recorded and produced in 2023.
