January 4, 2012 — Whether helping cancer patients find accurate information or caregivers for Alzheimer's patients overcome a sense of isolation, Ann Duesing has spent 16 years connecting Southwest Virginia residents with information to help them live healthier lives. The librarian, based at the University of Virginia's College at Wise, was recently recognized for helping Southwest Virginia health care providers, students, patients and caregivers gain access to health information.
Her dedication and ability to build partnerships with community groups helped Duesing, outreach librarian for Southwest Virginia with U.Va.'s Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, win the National Library of Medicine's Michael E. DeBakey Library Services Outreach Award, given annually to honor a health sciences librarian assisting an underserved community.
Duesing sees her role as helping residents overcome barriers – whether geographic, financial or informational – to get the knowledge and care they need. "There's such a need for access to health care and information about health care," she said.
She has helped expand access by combining her deep commitment to the region with an ability to foster collaboration. "She has the ability to develop positive, long-lasting relationships in the community and with community leaders," said Gretchen Arnold, associate dean and director of the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library.
The leader of one community group that frequently partners with Duesing said her tireless work ethic and inclusiveness make it easy to team with her.
"Other people enjoy working with Ann because she includes everyone, treats everyone with equal respect, never takes herself too seriously and is lots of fun," said Marilyn Pace Maxwell, executive director of Mountain Empire Older Citizens. "She is generous with her time and generous in her relationships with others. People respond positively to her generosity of spirit."
Duesing has played a key role in several major health initiatives, including:
• TechWorld: A partnership that includes Mountain Empire Older Citizens and local public schools, the program uses student volunteers from area high schools to teach computer skills to caregivers for patients with Alzheimer's and other conditions. The program helps caregivers, many of whom provide around-the-clock care, to access health information and other resources, such as support groups.
• Mountain Laurel Cancer Support and Resource Center: Through a partnership with Mountain Empire Older Citizens, the center helps residents access online information about cancer and cancer treatments and also provides gas cards and food to patients who travel to receive cancer treatment. Duesing helped secure a grant for a touch-screen computer and printer to provide cancer information updated monthly.
• Healthy Appalachia Institute: Duesing is a faculty member at the institute, charged with helping leaders of health projects access information to help them in their work.
"She has touched an endless number of people and her influence continues to be far-reaching and substantial," Maxwell wrote in her letter nominating Duesing for the award.
Her dedication and ability to build partnerships with community groups helped Duesing, outreach librarian for Southwest Virginia with U.Va.'s Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, win the National Library of Medicine's Michael E. DeBakey Library Services Outreach Award, given annually to honor a health sciences librarian assisting an underserved community.
Duesing sees her role as helping residents overcome barriers – whether geographic, financial or informational – to get the knowledge and care they need. "There's such a need for access to health care and information about health care," she said.
She has helped expand access by combining her deep commitment to the region with an ability to foster collaboration. "She has the ability to develop positive, long-lasting relationships in the community and with community leaders," said Gretchen Arnold, associate dean and director of the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library.
The leader of one community group that frequently partners with Duesing said her tireless work ethic and inclusiveness make it easy to team with her.
"Other people enjoy working with Ann because she includes everyone, treats everyone with equal respect, never takes herself too seriously and is lots of fun," said Marilyn Pace Maxwell, executive director of Mountain Empire Older Citizens. "She is generous with her time and generous in her relationships with others. People respond positively to her generosity of spirit."
Duesing has played a key role in several major health initiatives, including:
• TechWorld: A partnership that includes Mountain Empire Older Citizens and local public schools, the program uses student volunteers from area high schools to teach computer skills to caregivers for patients with Alzheimer's and other conditions. The program helps caregivers, many of whom provide around-the-clock care, to access health information and other resources, such as support groups.
• Mountain Laurel Cancer Support and Resource Center: Through a partnership with Mountain Empire Older Citizens, the center helps residents access online information about cancer and cancer treatments and also provides gas cards and food to patients who travel to receive cancer treatment. Duesing helped secure a grant for a touch-screen computer and printer to provide cancer information updated monthly.
• Healthy Appalachia Institute: Duesing is a faculty member at the institute, charged with helping leaders of health projects access information to help them in their work.
"She has touched an endless number of people and her influence continues to be far-reaching and substantial," Maxwell wrote in her letter nominating Duesing for the award.
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January 3, 2012
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