Informational Zoom: Ask A Social Worker

I’m happy to report that our” Ask a Social Worker!” Zoom has been rescheduled for September 24th at noon. I highly encourage your participation in what will be a very informative and relaxed event. I will be joined by Michelle Turcotte-Smail, LICSW Spinal Cord Injuries and Disorders Clinic and Polytrauma Clinic Social Work Coordinator at the White River Junction VA Medical Center and Cristina Birdsall, LICSW Spinal Cord Injury/Disorders Clinical Coordinator at VA Connecticut Healthcare. Michelle and Tina are a both a wealth of knowledge and this promises to be a very informative discussion. Please consider zooming in and hearing about benefits you may be eligible for through your local VA. Here is the zoom link for the event: ZOOM MEETING We’ll be sharing this via email and Facebook (be sure to follow us if you don’t already!) as well.

Presenters:

Chuck Houle: Member of the New England Chapter Board of Directors and Chapter MS lead to National PVA.

Michelle Turcotte-Smail, LICSW:
Spinal Cord Injuries and Disorders Clinic and Polytrauma Clinic Social Work Coordinator at the White River Junction VA Medical Center. Michelle has worked for Veterans Health Administration for 14 years in the Spinal Cord Injury/Disorders Clinic, Polytrauma Clinic, Primary Care, and Geriatrics.

Cristina Birdsall, LSCW:
Rreceived her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from University of Connecticut and her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Southern Connecticut State University. She began her social work career at the West Haven VA in 2012 on the inpatient hospital units before transitioning to the Spinal Cord Coordinator position in 2016. Tina took over the role as ALS Coordinator in 2020.

Please contact Kristen McCone Gordon at kristen@pvanewengland.org with any questions on this event or NEPVA Veterans with MS program.

Real Talk MS Podcast

You’ve just had your appointment with your neurologist or MS Specialist and you’re on your way home, feeling like you weren’t heard. Maybe there wasn’t sufficient time. Or it might feel like your opinion simply isn’t valued. Your frustration could even be the result of language issues and cultural barriers that make communication difficult. Whatever the reason, it doesn’t have to be this way.

Dr. Luis Manrique-Trujillo joins me this week to share tips and strategies that will improve the quality of communication between you and every member of your MS care team. Dr. Manrique-Trujillo is a neurologist specializing in neuroimmunology and multiple sclerosis at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C.

We’re also sharing some fascinating research that traces the gene variants that increase someone’s risk of developing MS all the way back to the Bronze Age.

We’ll tell you about a small study that may explain how the Epstein-Barr Virus triggers MS.

We’ll tell you about a class-action lawsuit that accuses Pharmacy Benefit Managers of illegal collusion and price-fixing. (And we’ll explain why this lawsuit could be a huge step toward lowering the cost of your prescription medications)

And we’re sharing our plans for RealTalk MS in 2024.

We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??!

Real Talk MS Podcast

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