Your Stories: Post-Event Wrap-Up – Regional Community Health Worker Training Workshop

Community Health Workers from around the region gathered at Saint Francis for an inaugural training workshop.

Over the past two years, Trinity Health Of New England has made remarkable strides in strengthening its CHW program as a core component of patient care. Our CHWs, trained in chronic disease management and equipped with invaluable “lived experience,” play a crucial role in addressing the social determinants of health that influence 80 percent of a person’s overall health. Factors like housing instability, food insecurity, and health illiteracy remain significant barriers for many patients, and CHWs are uniquely positioned to bridge those gaps.

The workshop featured expert presentations and hands-on training sessions, each offering critical tools to enhance the impact of our CHWs. Presentations included:

• Lauren Smith, Lead CHWB Consultant, Trinity Health, highlighted the essential role CHWs play in addressing health disparities and fostering stronger relationships between patients and providers.
• Jacqueline N. Guajardo, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor, UConn School of Medicine, discussed the history and evolution of harm reduction, providing invaluable insights into how CHWs can support patients struggling with addiction.
• Joshua Mosdale, M.D., Regional Service Line Leader for Primary Care, Trinity Health Of New England, led a practical session on hypertension management with a focus on accurate blood pressure readings and supporting patients with home monitoring.
• LaShawn Robinson-Nuhu and Gillian Walcott, Peer-to-Peer Educators, facilitated role-playing exercises on motivational interviewing, teaching CHWs how to build strong partnerships with providers and help patients set and achieve meaningful health goals.
• Pasqulina Giannotto, CHW Team Leader, provided training on proper documentation in TogetherCare, ensuring that our CHWs are well-prepared for future billing and reporting requirements.

This training not only reinforced the essential skills CHWs need in chronic disease management, but it also emphasized the importance of empathy, collaboration, and effective communication in providing the best possible care. 

We are excited to announce that this workshop will be come a biannual event, ensuring continuous learning and support for our CHWs as they work alongside primary care providers to improve patient outcomes. By fostering a culture of education and collaboration, we are confident that our CHWs will continue to play a vital role in helping patients live healthier lives.

We are already planning our next training session and remain committed to providing our CHWs with the tools and resources needed to thrive. As always, the collaboration between our CHWs, health care providers, and community members will drive positive change and improved health outcomes for all. 

Thank you to all those who attended and contributed to making this event a success. We look forward to continuing our work together in supporting our communities and advancing health care equity. 

Submitted by Carolyn Alessi, Regional Director, Community Health and Well-Being, Trinity Health Of New England.

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