OKDHS Spring Lecture Series Debuts with look at Chronic Disease Self-Management

OKLAHOMA CAPITOL -- Oklahoma ranks near the top of many lists as one of the unhealthiest states in the nation.  As a result, many Oklahomans are struggling with chronic disease.  The Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) takes a look at ways to help those individuals make lifestyle choices and changes to manage their illness.  “Chronic Disease Self-Management” is the first in the Spring Practice and Policy Lecture Series, being held January 23, 2013 from Noon to 1 p.m. at the Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive, Oklahoma City.

Guest speaker Kate Lorig, R.N., Ph.D, is Director of the Stanford Patient Education Research Center, and an Associate Professor of Medicine at the Stanford School of Medicine.

Other lectures in the series include “Drug Recognition—Drug Identification” on February 27, with Captain David Huff, Midwest City Police Department Investigations Division Commander.

On March 27, “Best Practices in Family Services” will be presented.  Guest speaker will be Charisse Johnson, Branch Chief, Office of Family Assistance, from the US Department of Health and Human Services.

Next, “Closing the Opportunity Gap:  Building Equity in Oklahoma,” will be presented April 25, with guest speaker Kate Richey, Policy Analyst from the Oklahoma Policy Institute.

Concluding on May 16, “Ethics in a Regulatory Environment” will be presented by Daniel Ostas, Ph.D, Professor of Legal Studies, and Michael F. Price, Junior Chair in Business Ethics, from the College of Business at the University of Oklahoma.

The Practice and Policy Lecture Series has been developed to provide thought-provoking presentations on Oklahoma's emerging policy issues, trends and best practices. The series is sponsored by the OKDHS Office of Planning, Research and Statistics and the University of Oklahoma Center for Public Management with the goal of providing the best educational opportunities available in a forum that offers participants an opportunity to question, share and learn from each other. 

All lectures are free and open to the public. For more information contact the Office of Planning, Research and Statistics at (405) 521-3552 or visit the Practice and Policy Lecture Series website (Link opens in new window).

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