War, natural disaster, persecution and a host of other reasons drive people to leave their home countries and seek refuge elsewhere. ED nurses can learn more about how they can help these at-risk groups and individuals at the education session “Nursing Strategies to Care for Vulnerable International Communities” on Sept. 7 from 9-9:45 a.m. in Titian 2203.
Jamla Rizek, MBA, MSN, RN, CEN, CPEN, NHDP-BC, NRP
Presenters Jamla Rizek, MBA, MSN, RN, CEN, CPEN, NHDP-BC, NRP, and Daniel Taylor, EMT-P, TP-C, WP-C, CCEMTP, FAWM, will share specific refugee stories from places like Ukraine, Latin America, Syria and Afghanistan, describing the challenges faced by those entering the U.S. health care system from the outside. The unfortunate reality, according to Taylor, is refugees often “encounter opaque and contradicting health care systems if they are lucky enough to enter the U.S.”
Attendees will gain a better understanding of what transpires before a refugee ever meets a health care provider in the United States. From this context, the session will explore evidence-based strategies and resources for providing more efficient, effective care for these at-risk communities.
Ultimately the session is designed to help bring about “more empathy both in the patient encounter and while trying to navigate or fix the systems which surround both the refugee and the health care provider,” Taylor said.
Taylor is a remote paramedic and instructor by trade, with a professional interest in conflict-focused humanitarian medicine. His work has taken him into three refugee crises, two war zones, a manmade disaster and a dozen countries, providing direct patient care, project management, medical instruction and security advising support.
Daniel Taylor, EMT-P, TP-C, WP-C, CCEMTP, FAWM
“With most of these experiences I have been fortunate enough to work closely with the populations and communities being served allowing me to better understand them while also recognizing my ignorance,” he said.
Rizek is a flight nurse, paramedic, educator and nurse leader, who has worked and presented internationally. She currently serves as a lieutenant in the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps
Taylor and Rizek have known each other for more than a decade and have co-presented for ENA previously. “We share a desire to be the change we wish to see in the world, which includes making the world a slightly better place for the most vulnerable individuals,” Taylor said.