Staff Bio
Brandon Kennedy, MLIS
Health Information Strategist, Region 3
Brandon Kennedy (He/They) is the Health Information Strategist for the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) - Region 3 at the University of North Texas Health Science Center. Brandon graduated with his Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) from the University of Missouri under the Catalysts for Community Health Grant. This grant allowed him to participate in an experiential and field-based learning environment to provide health resources to underserved and underrepresented communities through library services. This led him to create a comprehensive guide for Colorado residents with information on viable LGBTQ+ Health organizations in the state and nationwide. Brandon's professional interests involve: LGBTQ+ Health, health literacy in underserved communities, and community outreach. As a Health Information Strategist in Region 3 Brandon looks to work with Community Health Workers and public health organizations to address health literacy within the region.
Classes I Teach
| Event Title | Summary |
|---|---|
| A Librarian's Guide to Consumer Health | This 4-week, 4 credit-hour self-paced online class (Formerly Beyond an Apple a Day) covers the health information seeking behavior of consumers and the role of the librarian in the provision of health information for the public. |
| Beyond the Binary: Understanding LGBTQIA+ Health | The class aims to provide culturally appropriate health information and resources for LGBTQIA+ populations and the librarians and health care practitioners who support them. We have done our best to use culturally sensitive language and examples recognizing that language on this topic, like gender and sexuality, can be fluid. Providing access to health information for and about these populations is extremely important. The topic of gender and LGBTQIA+ issues may be sensitive for some. Social stigma, fear, or rejection is real for many people. It is essential to bring awareness to these issues and create practices around addressing them. This class connects with NNLM initiatives addressing Environmental Determinants of Health and Confronting Health Misinformation. |
| Digital Literacy in a Rural Community | The library’s digital navigator and outreach coordinator will discuss coordinating events and programs at the library that engage and enrich its community of users. |
| Effective Health Communication and Health Literacy: Understanding the Connection - August 7, 2024 | This 1 hour webinar introduces the concepts of health literacy and health communication. This presentation addresses improving health literacy, by including information about the NLM/NIH resource MedlinePlus.gov. |
| How Community Health Workers fit in Team Base Care | Community Health Workers (CHWs) have been around for many decades. CHWs are vital to our healthcare and are essential in helping communities have better health outcomes. This webinar will explore how to best utilize CHWs in your organization. |
| Making the Most Out of Your Grant Application (Region 3) | Applying for a grant can be stressful and intimidating at times. This webinar is designed to demystify the grant application process. From understanding the parts of the grant to completing the details of the budget, this webinar provides all the information needed to prepare clear goals, objectives, and a competitive project proposal. Participants will learn where to find available funding, important documents to include in the proposal, where to go for data to support the proposal, how the application is scored, and post-award reporting requirements. |
| NaNDA: An Open Data Resource for Health Science Researchers | Health disparities are a function of access to and control over the multiple determinants of health, including the environments where people are born, live, learn, work, play, and age. This webinar will provide an overview of the National Neighborhood Data Archive (NaNDA) and discuss how neighborhoods operate as a social determinant of health. |
| Providing Mental Health Information at Your Library | Responding to questions involving topics on mental health is challenging even for the most experienced librarian. In this 1-hour webinar, participants will learn how to effectively respond to requests for mental health information at their libraries. |
