May 12, 2020 - Virtual Delivery in Rural, Frontier, and Tribal Communities

Dr. Jennifer L. Tripken is an Associate Director, Center for Healthy Aging at the National Council on Aging. In this role, Jennifer supports the expansion and sustainability of evidence-based health promotion and disease prevention programs in the community and online through collaboration with national, state, and community partners. Prior to joining NCOA, Jennifer worked for eight years as a university professor in Health Education and Promotion. Before that, Jennifer spent six years as a middle and high school Health Education teacher in New York. 

Jennifer earned her Ed.D. in Health Education at Teachers College, Columbia University, her M.Ed. in Health Education at Boston University, and her B.S. in Athletic Training at Pennsylvania State University.

Lori Oster is the Program Director for Better Choices, Better Health SD (BCBH-SD), South Dakota’s statewide suite of Self-Management Education programs. Established in 2014, BCBH-SD has grown to become a recognized chronic disease prevention resource. Though collaboration with a variety of local, state, and national partners, BCBH-SD now offers six different evidence-based programs to help adults manage their chronic conditions. Lori is a registered nurse and has coordinated the development, growth, and sustainment of BCBH-SD since its planning began in 2013.

Megan Jacobson serves as the Chronic Disease Management Field Specialist for South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension. In her role, she facilitates trainings and workshops as a certified Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) Master Trainer and assists in managing a suite of evidence-based, community-led health programs across South Dakota through the Better Choices, Better Health® SD (BCBH-SD) network. Since 2014, she has facilitated over 20 workshops and 5 CDSMP Lay Leader Trainings. She collaborates with a team to provide outreach, training, and education, including a statewide Volunteer Coordinator, Engagement & Enrollment Coordinator, and Community Health Educators that understand the needs of the rural, underserved, and diverse populations in which they live and work. Recent efforts have involved the creation of a cultural considerations guide for implementing CDSMP in tribal communities in South Dakota as well as the expansion of Tomando Control de su Salud through the hiring of a Bilingual Community Educator and increased training opportunities for Spanish Speaking populations. Megan is excited for the future and committed to helping the BCBH® SD network continue to provide high quality, effective, and accessible resources for South Dakotan adults impacted by chronic disease. 

Dr. McCormack is an Associate Professor and Director of the undergraduate Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). She currently teaches graduate courses in Public Health Nutrition (NUTR 715) and Nutrition and Physical Activity Assessment and Evaluation (NUTR 751). Her research examines how the rural environment shapes diet and physical activity behaviors across the lifespan. Additionally, she serves as an evaluation expert on several SDSU Extension-led projects.