Say Ah! Newsletter #1

Welcome to Say Ah!’s first newsletter — arriving just in time for your summer reading! Discover many of the great things going on here, such as Say Ah!’s free workshops for health care professionals, our new Board and Advisory members, and highlights from our health literacy programming helping vulnerable populations access and use the health care system safely and effectively. So grab a beach chair, relax, and enjoy reading about Say Ah!’s work!

Say Ah! Welcomes New Board Members and Medical Advisor

Say Ah! is thrilled to welcome Maureen Harrison, Jeanne Johngren, Michael Johngren, and Jill Povol to our Board of Directors, and Paule Joseph to our Medical Advisory. These marvelous individuals are dedicated to Say Ah!’s mission, and to supporting the growth and expansion of our much-needed programming.

Say Ah!’s Patient Workshop Extravaganza

Say Ah! has already led nearly two dozen “Patient 101” workshops so far this year for the people of New York City and the Hudson River Valley, thanks to generous support from New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Allstate Foundation, and private donors.

These engaging and interactive seminars help people gain the basic skills needed to manage their health in today’s complex health care system. For many patients and caregivers, knowing how to ask questions, give important health information, take notes, and follow-up can make all the difference. Contact us to schedule one for your clients, community members — or co-workers!

FREE Health Professional Development Seminars: Limited Time Only!

Say Ah! has funding to conduct a limited number of health literacy symposiums for health care professionals. Please contact us to find out how we can help you and your organization identify and “treat” low health literacy, a major predictor of poor health status and poor health outcomes.

Say Ah! has spoken on health literacy at New York Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center, NYU Cancer Institute, Beth Israel Medical Center, Hudson River HealthCare, Inc., and at the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine Regional Meeting.

Say Ah!’s Tips: Now in Four Languages!

Say Ah!’s Tips for Talking with Your Doctor and Medication List are free and available in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, and Russian. Click here to download and disseminate them!

These easy-to-use and easy-to-read materials can help empower a wide range of patients and caregivers, including those with low literacy levels, reading and learning differences, and vision impairments, to get more from their doctor’s visit. Order Say Ah!’s printed cards (pictured) here!

Say Ah!’s Connecting with You!

Perhaps the greatest highlight of the year has been connecting with our clients and colleagues, who have inspired and informed our work. We enjoyed meeting everyone at the New York City Health Literacy Conference, where we presented on Health Literacy and Aging; at the Institute for Healthcare Advancement’s 10th Annual Health Literacy Conference in California, where we shared our work using accessible design and writing to empower patients to communicate better; and at the Healthy Cities: Healthy Women Conference presented by University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing.

Stay in touch with us on Facebook (Say Ah!), Twitter (@sayahorg) and LinkedIn (Say Ah!). Great things are going on here, and there are more great things to come. If you would like to support our programs, click here to make a donation.

Thank you for your on-going support and encouragement!