Hello!
Welcome to the August 2009 issue of THE PATHFINDER.
Traffic was a mess last week! We were experiencing the first day of school. Everyone's schedule was delayed and cars backed up on the streets as the buses stopped to take on the students.
On the plus side, I really enjoyed the views of Moms and Dads putting their children on the bus. This is the season of new starts, new teachers, new backpacks, new shoes and new crayons. It is the start of the season of color changes and the crunchy sounds of autumn. Did we ever start the school year before Labor Day ... I think not.
It reminded me of some of my fondest memories of school ... am I the only one who remembers the smell of mimeographed handouts? Didn't we lean down and put our noses right on the paper to smell that unique smell? Would I recognize it today?
One of the first assignments we always had during the first week of school was to write some paragraphs on "How I Spent My Summer Vacation"'
If I were given that assignment today, here's what I would write:
"I spent my summer learning new things. I finally took a class in Excel so that I can be minimally efficient at putting together a spread sheet, but I am still intimidated by the program. And I took a class in PowerPoint and can actually make things move across the screen when I prepare a slide presentation. Frankly, I am quite proud of that!
I joined the rest of the world and finally established a Facebook page for friends and family. And through Facebook I have learned that my nieces, nephews and the children of close friends have grown up to be wonderfully funny, imaginative, sometimes irreverent picture-taking individuals.
But here is the really good thing.... I began to Twitter! (@bethcarp) What is Twitter? It is a form of short messaging, a method of online communication that allows you to gather information quickly and over a broad spectrum of opinions - in 140 characters or less!"
To be honest, when I first began, I felt as though I had stepped into a conversation stream that was moving at light-speed. But after a few days I found others in healthcare: physicians, nurses, and organizations like the Kansas City Hospice that is being led into the newest communication technology by their medical director, Dr. Sinclair (@ctsinclair). Why am I bringing this up?
Because I feel that "tweeting"
• gives us the opportunity to do professional networking,
• complete research on topics quickly,
• increase the visibility of an organization,
• provide events for professional development
• generate an additional social media tool.
(Source: http://blog.dlc-solutions.com/cme/5-reasons-why-twitter-is-relevant-to-healthcare/)
I'll include some resources for you, if you are ready to explore the world of Twitter, in a separate section of this month's newsletter.
The second article this month is Elizabeth Hogue's update on Enforcement of the "Red Flag" Rule to Help Prevent Identity Theft. As always her articles keep us up-to-date on industry developments.
Other resources on the Red Flag Rules for your use include the following:
http://ftc.gov/redflagsrule
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/articles/art11.shtm
Here's to wishing each of you the chance to enjoy the warm sunny days and the cool evenings of the season. Find the time to take a walk this week and look for signs of autumn.
If we can provide you with any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Best wishes, Beth Carpenter
“Let us realize that the privilege to work is a gift, that the power to work is a blessing, that the love of work is success.” David O. McKay |
