Public Libraries Spotlight: Nicolette Warisse Sosulski, Business and Reference Librarian, Portage District Library

Education BA English (Honors), Georgetown University BA Government, Georgetown University MLIS iSchool at the University of Washington How did you become interested in focusing on Health and Wellness? I have always had an interest in biology and health sciences. I roomed with nursing students in college and hung out with pre-meds. I have worked for health insurance programs in both patient and provider customer service, so I needed to learn medical terminology for those positions. In iSchool, I was fortunate enough to be able to enroll in an amazing health reference class. Why is health literacy important in your community? It is especially vital now because over the last few decades the patient has had more of a role in healthcare decision-making. Years ago, the doctor pretty much told you what to do. Now the doctor will often say, what do you think you want to try? And the patient is kerflummoxed. S/he’s not a doctor or nurse. Further, in the time of fast appointments at the clinic, sometimes you may need to ask about something—but you do not even know what to ask. I believe that one of the librarian’s most important functions is to teach people enough that they can ask informed questions of their doctor, lawyer, accountant, or investment broker. These days, people need to act as their own health advocates, and they need current, authoritative information to do that effectively.  That’s where librarians come in. Also, as a breast cancer survivor who benefited from ...
Source: The Cornflower - Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: Tags: Public Libraries Public Libraries Spotlight Business and Reference Librarian Nicolette Warisse Sosulski Portage District Library Source Type: news