An independent consultant with extensive experience in community health education, planning and communication, particularly in programs for recent immigrants. Background in program design and direction, public relations, analysis of potential funders, budgeting and successful grant writing. Fluent in Spanish and skilled in desk-top publishing and editing. Experienced in training and continuing education for health care providers and consumers. Owner of Health Advocates, Community Health Consultants.

Employment

Consultant, Owner of Health Advocates

CLIENTS
Minnesota Association for Interpreting, Saint Paul, Minnesota; continuing
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, Saint Paul, Minnesota; 1998
University of Minnesota/ Allina Foundation, Saint Paul, Minnesota, 1997 to 1999
Center for Cross-Cultural Health, Minneapolis, Minnesota; 1995 to 1997
Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota; 1994 to 1997
Minnesota International Health Volunteers, Minneapolis, Minnesota; 1994 to date

SAMPLE OF COMPLETED PROJECTS
Minnesota Association for Interpreting: Start-up coordination of a statewide advocacy organization for professional medical and legal interpreting.

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities: Coordination of a year-long planning process to develop professional standards, training, and certification of medical interpreters.

University of Minnesota/ Allina Foundation: Coordination of a community health worker training program for environmental health interventions in an immigrant neighborhood.

Center for Cross-Cultural Health: Planning and creation of an information clearinghouse and training service on the relationship between culture and health.

Hennepin County Medical Center: Publication of a research study on barriers to care for refugees and immigrants to Minnesota.

Minnesota International Health Volunteers: Delivery of two annual, three-month courses on international and cross-cultural health issues; other program development.

OTHER EMPLOYMENT
Program Coordinator
Minnesota Extension Service, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota; 1992 to 1996 Responsibilities: Coordination of university-based program for research and education on issues in agricultural safety and health. Supervision of project to train lay health educators in migrant farmworker camps. Grant-writing and management, production of educational materials, writing and editing of reports, including Farm Safety and Health Digest, a quarterly outreach publication and research review.

Editor
Program in Human Sexuality, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota; 1991-1992 Responsibilities: Editing academic manuscripts and grant proposals for sexuality research and treatment center; co-authoring journal articles on AIDS education and prevention.

Education Coordinator and Communications Specialist
Minnesota AIDS Project, Minneapolis, Minnesota; 1986 to 1990 Responsibilities: Education Coordinator: Direction of outreach, education and training activities for statewide AIDS organization. Supervising nine-member outreach staff, managing budgets, planning programs, writing grant proposals and collaborating with other community organizations. Staff liaison to board committee and to funders. Communications Specialist: Writing and production of all educational and promotional materials for statewide non-profit agency. Planning and implementation of AIDS mass media and direct education campaigns.

Research Assistant
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota; 1988 to 1989

Editor and Reporter
City Pages newspaper, Minneapolis, Minnesota; 1983 to 1985

Freelance Writer
Atlanta Georgia; 1981 to 1982

Media Specialist and Trainer
Mental Health Advocates Coalition, Saint Paul, Minnesota; 1978 to 1981

REFEREED PUBLICATIONS
Ohmans, P., Garrett, C and Treichel, C. (1996) "Health Care Providers' Perceptions of Barriers to Care for Refugees and Immigrants" Minnesota Medicine, Vol. 79, No. 5

Shutske, J. and Ohmans, P. (1994) "Shifting the Paradigm: Rethinking Our Approach to Farm Safety and Health" Journal of Agromedicine Vol. 2, No. 3

Rosser, B., Coleman, E., and Ohmans, P. (1993) "Safer sex maintenance and reduction of unsafe sex among homosexually active men: a new therapeutic approach" Health Education Research Vol. 8, No. 1

Other Selected Publications and Media
Ohmans, P. and Osborn, G. (1999) Finding Work in Global Health: A Practical Guide for Jobseekers Health Advocates Press, Saint Paul

Ohmans, P. (1998) "Among My Neighbors: Defining and Acting on Environmental Health in an Immigrant, Inner-City Neighborhood" Challenge University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis, Fall 1998

Ohmans, P., ed. (1998) Bridging the Language Gap: How to Meet the Need for Interpreters in Minnesota Interpreter Standards Advisory Committee, St Paul

Ohmans, P., ed. (1996) Six Steps Toward Cultural Competence: Health Care for Refugees and Immigrants Minnesota Public Health Association, Center for Cross-Cultural Health, Minneapolis

Ohmans, P. (1996) "A Place for Healing" (article on the Center for Victims of Torture) Mpls.-St.Paul May, 1996

Ohmans, P. and Shutske, J. (1992-1996) Farm Safety and Health Digest Minnesota Extension Service, University of Minnesota Vols. 1-4. American Society of Agricultural Engineers' Blue Ribbon Award winner.