Yesenia Silva and Hayam Megally (Central Valley Health Policy Institute) were invited to attend the 2019 Oral Health Progress and Equity Network National Convening, funded by the DentaQuest Partnership.

They took to Capitol Hill, where they met with state representatives to talk about the disparities of accessing oral health care among vulnerable populations. During those one-on-one sessions, they shared educational materials about the importance of oral health and its impact on the health outcomes of children, pregnant women and older adults. In addition, they educated them about the importance of policies that enable access to oral health services for individuals in California, particularly in the Central Valley, where Medi-Cal beneficiaries still continue to face challenges and barriers to oral health care.

In 2016, the Central Valley Health Policy Institute began studying oral health disparities in the San Joaquin Valley based on race, ethnicity and other factors. With funding from the DentaQuest Foundation, they aimed to achieve the Oral Health 2020 goals, which is meant to strengthen the oral health network on a national scale. Since then, Silva and Megally, and other researchers from the institute, have conducted oral health landscape assessments in eight counties, connected and partnered with multiple grassroots organizations and most recently, developed fact sheets (in various languages) about the importance of oral health care, which is now available in county offices and clinics.

To learn more about their work, contact Silva at ysilva@csufresno.edu.

Michael Mahoney (Recreation Administration) was selected for the Academic Committee for the International Association of Venue Managers. The committee represents the interests of the IAVM membership by providing academic-related content, activities and initiatives that can elevate, enhance and advance IAVM as a leading association. In addition, the committee will provide support for educators involved in teaching venue, sports, entertainment, event and/or hospitality management and will facilitate academic engagement within the industry and IAVM.

Emanual Alcala and Tania Pacheco-Werner (Central Valley Health Policy Institute), along with Caio Sarmento (Physical Therapy) will present at the Rural Poverty and Equity Summit on Friday, Nov. 22, at the Bakersfield College, Delano Campus (1450 Timmons Ave, Delano). The summit will focus on advancing health equity and well-being for Central Valley communities, and will feature a panel of speakers on the topic of air quality, substance use and implications of rural health policy. To register, click here.

Caty Perez, associate vice president for development, and the March Match Up campaign were honored by the Association of Fundraising Professionals California Valley Chapter for changing lives, fostering hope and making a real difference in the community.

Perez was this year's Outstanding Fundraising Professional, while March Match Up won for Distinguished Program. The University nominated Ron Samuel for Outstanding Volunteer and Chevron for Outstanding Philanthropic Organization. Both won the awards in their respective categories.