Northwest/Pacific Regional Chapter

The Northwest/Pacific Regional chapter covers one of the largest geographic regions in the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine (SAHM), including Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Alaska and Hawaii. We are dedicated to the mission of SAHM and strive to provide a regional forum for health care professionals whose passion it is to provide care and serve adolescents.  Our regional chapter also welcomes non-SAHM members as well. Membership in the national organization is not a prerequisite for membership in a Regional Chapter; however we encourage Regional Chapter members who are not SAHM members to join. The Northwest/Pacific chapter meets annually during the annual national SAHM meeting. 

Our regional chapter is composed a network of providers with whom to refer patients, discuss clinical issues, and provide educational opportunities to other providers as well as to the community. Our group is diverse and includes students, social workers, nutritionists, nurses, nurse practitioners and physician assistants, psychologists and physicians.  Each member provides a vital role in the provision of clinical care, research, policy change, and provider education.  Chapter members are also local expert resources in the area of adolescent health and well-being for public education, communication and youth advocates in important local and regional issues that affect adolescents.  

To recognize local individuals, our “unsung heroes,” whose work is dedicated to the health and well-being of local adolescents, regional chapter members are encouraged to submit a nomination for a local champion each year.  Each chapter submits a final nomination to the national SAHM organization and a finalist is selected to receive the annual SAHM Regional Chapter Recognition Award. 

For information contact:

Ponrat Pakpreo, MD, MPH
Northwest/Pacific Regional Chapter President
Adolescent Medicine Clinic
Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital
Spokane, WA 99206
P:  509-474-5445
F:  509-474-2241

 

Northwest Pacific Regional Chapter Local Resources

For Spokane, WA

1) www.thedailyrisk.com
"This website was created for Spokane teens by Spokane teens with the assistance of experts in field of reproductive health to help answer youths’ questions on sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), pregnancy prevention, and healthy decision making. The content was written for a teen’s reading level, and has been thoroughly reviewed and tested to ensure that the content is easily readable and user-friendly." An educator toolkit, listing of locations for STD testing and treatment, and other educational information is offered on the website.

2) www.stdtoolkit.srhd.org
"This STD Toolkit is the result of the efforts of the Spokane County STD Medical Coalition (the STDMC), a collaborative effort of the Spokane Regional Health District staff and volunteer clinician partners throughout the community. The resources contained in this toolkit have been peer-reviewed by clinicians experienced in providing STD-related care. Health care providers are encouraged to use these resources to assist with the screening of at-risk patients and to keep updated on local incidence and prevalence as well as current testing, treatment, and policy recommendations that have been endorsed by the local medical community. "

3) www.incedspokane.org
"The Inland Northwest Coalition on Eating Disorders is a non-profit organization dedicated to those who are affected by eating disorders. Whether you are struggling with eating disorder issues yourself or are working to support someone who is, INCED offers resources that can help you. We are a network of local professionals and community members, all of whom have a vested interest in the area of eating disorders. " Local and national eating disorder resources are listed on the website. Local providers who care for those with eating disorders are also listed.

4)  www.odysseyyouth.org
“Odyssey Youth Center works with at-risk lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth (LGBTQ) and their allies to provide a safe place, education, and advocacy. We promote positive growth and self-empowerment for our youth…If you are a parent, educator or ally, Odyssey is here to help you by providing support, information, community referrals, and the opportunity to serve our LGBTQ youth. Our Resources page lists local, regional, and national organizations, support groups, and other youth centers that work as we do to support LGBTQ youth and the people in their lives.”