All of the instructors of Ross Medical Education Center are experienced in their fields and bring with them into the classroom a wealth of important information for their students. However, it is always exciting when there is a new face and a new set of experiences that come with a guest speaker. The Lansing campus was honored to host Dr. Edmund Kemp, PhD as a guest speaker for their students.
Dr. Kemp was the Director of Medicaid Policy Division, Medical Services Administration, Department of Community Health for the State of Michigan. In 1976, Dr. Kemp implemented the Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) Program in Michigan. This program serves to safeguard the health of low income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women as well as their infants and children up to age five. Because of their economic and social situation, many of these women and children are at a nutritional risk, so the program provides nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating including breastfeeding promotion and support, and referrals to health care.
Since its implementation, the WIC Program has earned the reputation of being one of the most successful federally funded nutrition programs in the United States. More than one student stated how grateful they were to have access to programs such as WIC. Some stated that, without it, they do not know how they would have survived some of the more difficult times in their life.
Dr. Kemp also implemented HIPAA policies for Medicaid for the State of Michigan, something that students in all programs are made very familiar with. Dr. Kemp spoke to students in detail regarding Medicaid. During his talk, he discussed the issue that “Medicaid sometimes has a negative stereotype.” However, he explained to the students that Medicaid “provides preventative medicine which in the long run will save the state and nation money.” Dr. Kemp discussed why the policies change so quickly with Medicaid. He explained that the distribution of funds affects the policies and determination almost daily.
The students were very engaged in the talk, because Dr. Kemp presented in a round table manner, answering student questions throughout his presentation. Medical Insurance Billing and Office Administration Instructor Amy Sumner shared, “I am impressed with how informative the presentation was in regards to Medicaid and the policies and benefits of Medicaid that the students were not aware of.” Dr. Kemp encouraged students to contact the Department of Community Health if they thought they qualified. He stressed the importance of preventative medicine and prenatal care. Everyone on the campus was grateful to have had the pleasure of learning from someone who has been so involved in the healthcare field in their state.