Written by Vanessa Ramirez
I don’t think we notice how short the month of December is. It is a great time to learn about others and holiday traditions. The holiday season holds a memory box for many, and it has been wonderful to hear about how special a dish, a game or a visual can be so near and dear to staff this holiday season. It reminds us that it’s indeed the small things that can really impact us on a larger level.
Vanessa Ramirez
It has also been great to work so close with Reach out and Read Wisconsin this month. When you look at work as the big picture, it can be easy to overlook the small details. This month I have been able to dive in deeper with their data and view with a magnifying glass the work that they have been able to accomplish with their partnering clinics this year. It’s amazing to see that even though health systems have been impacted by COVID-19 this year, they are still committed to ensuring minor details such as training their staff on how to distribute books to pediatric patients. This work impacts many individuals because it allows patients to create memories and think of how going to a medical provider can be exciting thanks to the book the take home. It helps instill in families just how important and fun reading can be.
Apart from working with Reach out and Read, I have been able to conduct research on how to start an infant loss support group for the Infant Death Center. This research has allowed me to view and learn how small details like establishing trust or even the facilitator’s energy can make a huge impact when providing support to grieving families. This research is important as we work on writing a guide that can hopefully one day help others who would like to provide support.
This month has allowed me to look back at work or memories that have been created in the past it also brings excitement. Looking toward 2021, I think of the exciting work that will allow me to further contribute and learn more about public health and the work that Alliance staff do. I’m looking forward to those moments that will help me create memories from the small to big details.