The 21st Annual Mission Possible conference will begin Tuesday, March 8th with a preconference event and will conclude with a full day conference on Wednesday, March 9th. The conference is being held on the campus of Stephen F. Austin State University in the Baker Pattillo Student Center in Nacogdoches.
There will be a free preconference event held on Tuesday evening, March 8 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the Movie Theatre at the Student Center, sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association. This event offers two hours of continuing education in counseling or social work. Julie Kutac, Ph.D. and Ann Marie McDonald of the Houston and Southeast Texas Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association will present Alzheimer’s 101 with a focus on early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, the emotional and physical impact of younger onset dementia, and an overview of new developments in clinical trials.
Best Practices for Healthy Outcomes is the theme of this year’s conference and will begin with a keynote address titled, “What is the Meaning of Best Practices in Under-Resourced Communities,” provided by Alexandra B. Nolen, Ph.D., MPH, Episcopal Health Foundation Vice President for Impact. Nolen hopes to provide a presentation that will “allow under-resourced communities to consider their health goals, how those can expand our notions of the role of health professionals, and challenge the audience to reconsider its responsibilities to their communities.”
Following the keynote address, about 35 professionals and educators will tackle subjects such as “Finding Happiness”, “Special Education Law”, “Rusk State Hospital Forensics” and “Community Unity in a Time of Unrest and Violence.” “Conference topics are chosen that are timely and helpful to practitioners in the East Texas region,” said Paul Jackson, event coordinator and Community Relations Director for Burke. “There really is something for everyone.” To look at the full conference schedule, you can visit the Burke website.
Several registration options are offered. For professionals seeking continuing education, which includes seven contact hours for counseling or social work, three of which are in ethics credit, the ticket price is $55. For nursing CEs, an application has been submitted to provide eight contact hours. Mental health and Alzheimer’s consumers and their family, as well as students, may attend for $30. Sponsoring agencies and the general public price is $45. Registration may be purchased up to the morning of the event. To register/buy a ticket for this event you may visit the Burke website or call the Burke Central Office at (936) 639-1141.
Sponsors of Mission Possible include Burke, Texas AHEC East of the Piney Woods Region, the Alzheimer’s Association, the Texas Department of State Health Services, Rusk State Hospital, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council, M&S Pharmacy, and the following Stephen F. Austin State University Departments, the School of Social Work, the Richard and Lucille DeWitt School of Nursing, and the School of Psychology Program of the Human Services Department.
Attendance at this event usually numbers in the 350-400 range, so join these great sponsors and register today.
