April 12, 2007 — The Department of Health in conjunction with the University of Miami will host a two-day workshop on newborn screening beginning April 16 on St. Thomas and April 18 on St. Croix.
The workshop, "Newborn Screening in the Virgin Islands: Meeting Challenges, Creating Solutions," is made possible by a federal grant to the University of Miami with the goal of expanding newborn screening in Florida, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, according to acting Commissioner Wallace.
The workshop will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 16 at the Charlotte Kimelman Cancer Institute Auditorium and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 18 at the Charles Harwood Complex Training Room.
Patricia C. Penn, director of Maternal and Child Health and Children with Special Needs Program and who also heads the Newborn Screening Program, said the workshop is opened to nurses, physicians, laboratory staff, nutritionists and other interested health care providers.
Participants will be asked to complete questionnaires to help with data collection.
"Critical to the success of the project is the collection of data through interviews, assessments and observations," Penn said. "The data will provide the basis for identifying barriers, as well as developing policy and implementing changes."
CEU credits will be provided to participants.
The agenda for both districts follows:
8 a.m. Registration, breakfast and questionnaires
9 a.m. Welcome and Introduction to the education event (Ana Morales, MS)
9:15 a.m. History of the Newborn Screening Program in the Virgin Islands (Patrician C. Penn, Virgin Islands MCH Director)
9:30 a.m. Introduction to expanded newborn screening
(Deborah Barbouth, MD)
10 am. Case Presentations I and Group Discussion
12 p.m. Lunch
12:45 p.m. Case Presentations II and Group Discussion
2:30 p.m. MS/MS in the Virgin Islands
(Panel presentation over coffee and pastries)
3:30 p.m. Questionnaire and Knowledge Assessment
4 p.m. G6PD and Congenital Hypothyroidism: Testing, Interpretation and Counseling Strategies (Deborah Barbouth, MD; Andrea Wierenga, PhD; Ana Morales, MS)
5 p.m. Program Wrap-up
To reserve a space e-mail [email protected] or call 776-3580 on St. Thomas and 773-1311, ext. 3157 or 3161 on St. Croix.