Ann Duesing, at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise
Ann, what exactly does an Outreach Librarian do?
Outreach programs vary but as the Outreach Librarian for far southwest Virginia, I provide information resources and services to health organizations, professionals, students, patients, consumers, librarians, and community coalitions. Our program has always emphasized partnership building to better understand and serve the information and health issue needs of this region.
You were recently invited to become a member of the founding faculty of the Healthy Appalachia Institute at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise. Can you tell us about the Institute and your role with it?
The mandate of the Healthy Appalachia Institute (HAI) is to end poverty, advance educational opportunity, encourage prosperity, promote health, ensure access to health care and improve access to health outcomes in Central Appalachia. For this purpose, HAI brings together educators, community leaders, researcher and scholars from the social sciences, medicine, humanities, and art to generate ideas and replicate solutions. I see my role as one of continuing to develop and sustain collaborative partnerships to address health care issues and to provide access to health information services and resources.
You have been an Outreach Librarian at Wise since 1995. Can you mention one of your favorite projects you have been involved in over the years?
Yes, a favorite is the Mountain Laurel Cancer Coalition and its Resource and Support Center housed at the Mountain Empire Older Citizens (MEOC) Area Agency on Aging. The Center opened in 2002. The Mountain Laurel Coalition and Center (MLCC) provide a wide array of services for cancer patients including education, information, travel to treatment support, and referrals to other agencies as needed. The UVA Cancer Center currently provides funding for the MLCC Director and also for a new Patient Navigator (in Charlottesville) for Southwest Virginia cancer patients traveling there for treatment.
Who inspires you?
Marilyn Maxwell, Executive Director of Mountain Empire Older Citizens, Area Agency on Aging has been an inspiration to me since meeting her in 1998. Throughout her tenure as MEOC Director she has developed and sustained programs that enhance the quality of life for Southwest Virginia citizens from the elderly to the children through intergenerational programs. I am amazed by her energy, her caring and her connection to and love for the community. I have been privileged to work with her on many projects. She has made the work truly meaningful and always great fun. Marilyn enjoys life to the fullest and overcomes all obstacles thrown into her path.
What do you like to do in your time away from your job?
I am a caregiver for my mother who is 93 years young and keeps me engaged in gardening, patio building and shopping excursions. She has had some serious health issues and those experiences have provided insight into the difficulties of navigating the health care system. In fact they have influenced my development of a class to be taught at the national meeting of the Medical Library Association in Washington, DC in May of 2010. The class is entitled Caregiver and Patient Tools for Navigating the Healthcare System and Health Information Resources and will hopefully make a positive contribution by assisting those who must make the health care journey.
On the lighter side…I remain an avid shopper, antiques browser, day spa aficionado and consumer of dark chocolate!
More Information
Ann Duesing, College at Wise Outreach Librarian (276) 328-0168
~ Patricia Vaughn
Entry Filed under: Library Events, News