News release: Colorado - Denver/Boulder

April 24, 2001

For more information, call:
Steve Krizman
Kaiser Permanente
Phone: (303) 344-7932
E-mail: Steve.A.Krizman@kp.org

First-ever symposium on medicine and diverse cultures

Denver, CO – Metro area health care providers are invited to attend a symposium June 20 and 21 that will help them improve their care of patients from diverse cultures.

The Transcultural Medicine Symposium will address what patients expect from health care and how their needs may be met. Workshops will zero in on the specific concerns of Latino, African American, Native American, Asian, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered patients.

This first-ever symposium answers a growing need in health care. The cultural makeup of health care staffs does not reflect the growing diversity of the patient population. At the same time, the American Association of Medical Colleges found in 1997 that only one of 141 medical schools conducted a stand-alone class on providing "culturally competent" care.

The two day-long sessions will be held at Exempla Saint Joseph Hospital. Symposium participants will earn continuing medical education credits. The cost for physicians is $175 if registered by May 1, and $200 after. The cost for nonphysicians is $125 before May 1 and $150 after. For information and a brochure, call (303) 344-7296.

The symposium is organized by Kaiser Permanente, using presenters from throughout the medical community. It is open to health care providers outside of the Kaiser Permanente system, as part of the nonprofit organization's commitment to the community's health.