Advocating for Caregivers

In July, a loyal donor to the SECU Family House made a gift to the Family House Education Program at the Partners in Hospitality Sustainer Level. This gift will provide training for future doctors, nurses, physician assistants and chaplains designed to help them support caregivers.

The donor, who wishes to be anonymous, has watched the Education Program evolve from a pilot project to a desirable interprofessional education experience. It continues to be the only program of its kind.

“Having recently experienced a health crisis myself, I understand that healthcare providers need to be hyperaware that their communication and genuine empathy for caregivers matters. Now more than ever,” said the donor.

The Education Program was funded initially as a pilot project in 2011 by The Winston-Salem Foundation before being fully funded through the Family House through community and private foundation grants and individual donors.

“This gift will fund the program in its entirety for a year, and will help train over 400 students in 2018,” said Kathy Carr, Family House executive director. “It honors the good work that has been done and acknowledges the importance of the community partnerships with healthcare profession students and their academic institutions.”

The following students enrolled in area healthcare professional programs participate: Wake Forest School of Medicine (first-year physician assistant and third-year medical students); Forsyth Technical Community College, University of North Carolina Greensboro, and Winston-Salem State University (nursing); Wake Forest University Divinity School interns. Caregivers and patients staying at the SECU Family House also volunteer to participate.

After the session, students report increased understanding of patient and family needs in times of crisis, increased ability to communicate with families and patients, and increased appreciation for other professional roles in health care.