The Charlotte Chapter of Latinos In Social Media (LATISM) will hold a panel discussion and Tweet Up networking event on Thursday, March 29 from 6-9pm at the Carolinas Healthcare System – Building K, 5039 Airport Center Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28208. Healthcare communications professionals will reveal how they use social media to connect with the public about health related issues, while a mental health clinician and HIV / AIDS community activist will discuss these respective issues as they relate to the Latino community. This event is free and open to the public.
The LATISM Health & Wellness panelists include:
Deborah Neffa Creech – Communications Coordinator, Carolinas HealthCare System
Deborah Neffa Creech is a Communications Coordinator in the Corporate Communications department at Carolinas HealthCare System. She works on internal and external communications publications and projects for the System and is the primary public relations representative for the organization’s International Medical Outreach Program, which actively donates medical equipment to healthcare facilities in third world countries, especially in Latin America. Deborah holds a Master’s and a Bachelor’s degree from UNC-Chapel Hill—in health communication and in journalism—and is interested in social marketing, health campaigns and preventive health. She has lived in Guatemala and in Paraguay (where she was born and raised), and has traveled to El Salvador, Honduras, Argentina and Brazil.
Carlos Martinez – Psychotherapist & mental health clinician
Carlos Martinez is a psychotherapist originally from Colombia, South America and has spent the last eighteen years working in the substance abuse and mental health fields in Florida and North Carolina. Mr. Martinez helps families with emotional and psychological problems and has worked extensively within the Latino/Hispanic community. He has worked with families of children experiencing terminal illnesses, as well as on the inpatient unit of CMC-Randolph Behavioral Health, assisting patients with severe mental illnesses and substance abuse problems. He currently serves as a Mental Health Clinician in the Child Development-Community Policing program of Mecklenburg County. He works with children, adolescents, and families experiencing crisis and trauma. He earned a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Winthrop University and a Master‘s Degree in Health Administration from Pfeiffer University. He obtained a certificate in Addiction and Substance Abuse Studies from the University of Miami in 1994. Mr. Martinez is a National Certified Counselor as well as a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate in the state of North Carolina. He has served on numerous committees including the Drug Free Coalition, the Cultural Competence Committee of Mecklenburg County, Enlace (Latin American Council), and Mi Casa Su Casa, among others.
Daniel Valdez – Community activist and HIV/AIDS educator
Daniel Valdez is a native of Mexico and has lived in the United States for over 20 years. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a BA in History and Latin American Studies. He has worked extensively on various human rights issues and the arts in Charlotte. His past involvement includes working at the Latin American Coalition on advocacy and immigrant’s rights and at Carolinas CARE Partnership coordinating an HIV prevention program for young Latino men. He currently serves on the board of the Charlotte Lesbian and Gay Fund, the planning committee for the GayCharlotte Film Festival, Treasurer and founding member of the Mexican Cultural Society of Charlotte, and member of the MSM Region 2 Taskforce.
Adrienne Woods – Special Projects Coordinator, Levine Children’s Hospital
Adrienne Woods s began her career at Carolinas HealthCare System in 2005 as a Physician Liaison for Women’s and Children’s Services. In 2008, Adrienne transferred to Levine Children’s Hospital as the LCH Special Projects Coordinator. In this role, Adrienne links program development across the Medical Staff, Corporate Operations, Marketing, Physician Liaisons and the Foundation to provide streamlined communication Her targeted responsibilities include, but are not limited to, internal and external physician communication, website development, creation and maintenance of physician databases, promote all medical specialties and ensure consumers can easily access pertinent information regarding conditions treated and services offered. Adrienne is responsible for maintaining the Levine Children’s Hospital Facebook page. Adrienne obtained her BS in Health and Exercise Science from Wake Forest University. She completed her Master in Public Health Degree with a concentration in Health Promotion from San Diego State University.
For more information on the LATISM health & wellness Tweet Up event, contact Brian Cockman at brian@roostercomm.biz. A big thank you to the Carolinas HealthCare System for the in-kind donation of its event space.