I'm just back from the Brazos AHEC and McLennan County's first pandemic flu seminar. Very professional job Jill and crew put on. Top notch. The main speaker was informative and engaging. He had just the right amount of science, history, and best case scenario type information. The people from McLennan county, i.e., police, fire, nurses, etc. took it very seriously and while they didn't leave with anything close to a plan, it was obvious that they had self-actualized the information and would be proactive in formulating plans from the bottom up. Great little event and I bet it builds momentum to the following ones.

Hopefully many or even all AHEC centers will be called upon to host or co-host such events, or take them on themselves. Pineywood's event, held in Lufkin, was brought up many times by several people as a model. One particular thing I have noticed that I'd like to generate a discussion around, is the role of AHEC staff in the planning process of the pandemic event, not just the planning for the planning event. I've noticed that typically AHEC staff step up to serve as note takers, monitors, etc., but only in support type roles. Is this a historical role for AHEC staff in PE&S and CBE type events? I'm too new to know. From my gut it seems that we are in a unique position to know things, data, research, other information from previous events, etc., that would add quality and depth to such discussions as an active participant. As I said, from my perspective, being new and uneducated about such things, I would like to see all available staff participating as a community partner in the planning discussions and having a bias for action when it comes to taking on roles such as community educators, liasons, facilitators, etc.  But perhaps there is a reason not to take on those roles that I'm naive to.

Let's discuss the pros and cons of it and bring me up to speed.