Illness is Tough on Everyone: How Do We Talk About It?

The Center for Communication in Medicine continues its SpeakSooner^® community education programs this fall with, “Illness is Tough on Everyone: How Do We Talk About It?” on Wednesday, November 2, 2022 from 6-7:30pm. This event will be presented on site at the Bennington Performing Arts Center and live streamed through our website, speaksooner.org. The program is free and open to the public.

The program will explore how breakdowns in communication can occur between patients, families, and healthcare providers. Patients and families may experience frustration with delivery of medical care, feeling misunderstood and dissatisfied. Healthcare providers face their own challenges in meeting the diverse needs of today’s patient populations. Health literacy, racial and cultural differences and non-traditional lifestyles have been shown to affect communication and delivery of care.

Join our program panelists, Jim and Kim Baker, patient and spouse; Patricia Johnson, RN; John Hearst, MD; and moderator, Bernard Bandman, PhD for a discussion with Q&A that will address barriers and solutions to effective communication for patients of all backgrounds.

Name

First Last

Address

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

Please enter any questions you may have for the panel.

I plan to attend the program:

In person

Online

Col. James W. Baker (Ret.)
Jim Baker served with the Vermont State Police for over 30 years and was director (2006-2009) before working as an independent consultant for the numerous federal law enforcement agencies. He has been the project lead of the Arlington (VT) Area Renewal Project. Currently, Col. Baker offers services in leadership coaching, first responder safety and wellness and law enforcement executive searches.

John Hearst, MD
Dr. John Hearst has been practicing family medicine for 36 years. He is a practitioner of energy medicine and was medical director of the Integrative Therapies Program at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington, VT.

Kim Baker, family
Kim Baker practiced as a Registered Nurse for 36 years in numerous specialties. Kim prides herself on being an advocate for all her patients, keeping in touch with many after her retirement. Kim’s biggest challenge came when her husband, Jim, was diagnosed with renal cancer. She became a fierce advocate and caregiver. Throughout Jim’s treatment, Kim has helped to coordinate his care.

Patricia Noelle Johnson, RN
Patricia Johnson is currently on staff at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center. Her work as a Registered Nurse includes case management in the emergency department and manager of substance use disorders. Ms. Johnson is committed to working with State and community partners in addressing barriers to healthcare services.

Illness is Tough on Everyone: How Do We Talk About It?

Name

First Last

Address

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

Please enter any questions you may have for the panel.

I plan to attend the program:

In person

Online

Col. James W. Baker (Ret.)
Patient

Jim Baker served with the Vermont State Police for over 30 years and was director (2006-2009) before working as an independent consultant for the numerous federal law enforcement agencies. He has been the project lead of the Arlington (VT) Area Renewal Project. Currently, Col. Baker offers services in leadership coaching, first responder safety and wellness and law enforcement executive searches.

Kim Baker
Family

Kim Baker practiced as a Registered Nurse for 36 years in numerous specialties. Kim prides herself on being an advocate for all her patients, keeping in touch with many after her retirement. Kim’s biggest challenge came when her husband, Jim, was diagnosed with renal cancer. She became a fierce advocate and caregiver. Throughout Jim’s treatment, Kim has helped to coordinate his care.

Patricia Noelle Johnson
RN

Patricia Johnson is currently on staff at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center. Her work as a Registered Nurse includes case management in the emergency department and manager of substance use disorders. Ms. Johnson is committed to working with State and community partners in addressing barriers to healthcare services.

John Hearst
MD

Dr. John Hearst has been practicing family medicine for 36 years. He is a practitioner of energy medicine and was medical director of the Integrative Therapies Program at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington, VT.

PANELISTS

Jim Baker
Patient

Kim Baker
Family

Patricia Johnson
RN

John Hearst
MD

MODERATOR

Dr. Bernard Bandman
CCM Executive Director

Illness is Tough on Everyone: How Do We Talk About It?

Program Registration

Panelists

Moderator

Illness is Tough on Everyone: How Do We Talk About It?

Program Registration

Panelists

Col. James W. Baker (Ret.)
Patient

Kim Baker
Family

Patricia Noelle Johnson
RN

John Hearst
MD

Moderator

PANELISTS

Jim Baker Patient

Kim Baker Family

Patricia Johnson RN

John Hearst MD

MODERATOR

Dr. Bernard Bandman CCM Executive Director

Illness is Tough on Everyone: How Do We Talk About It?

Program Registration

Panelists

Moderator

Illness is Tough on Everyone: How Do We Talk About It?

Program Registration

Panelists

Col. James W. Baker (Ret.) Patient

Kim Baker Family

Patricia Noelle Johnson RN

John Hearst MD

Moderator

Jim Baker
Patient

Kim Baker
Family

Patricia Johnson
RN

John Hearst
MD

Dr. Bernard Bandman
CCM Executive Director

Col. James W. Baker (Ret.)
Patient

Kim Baker
Family

Patricia Noelle Johnson
RN

John Hearst
MD