PORTLAND, Maine—October 14, 2009—Add Verb Productions, the Portland-based
nonprofit that uses live theatre for health and wellness education, recently presented
its newest program, Major Medical Breakthrough, at two conferences: The 14th
International Conference on Violence, Abuse and Trauma in San Diego, CA and The
Family Violence Prevention Fund’s 5th Biennial National Conference on Health and
Domestic Violence in New Orleans, LA on September 26 and October 9, respectively.
Major Medical Breakthrough, written by Cathy Plourde with support from The Bingham
Program, features two actors and multimedia as a call to action for the health care
sector to examine its role in detecting and preventing interpersonal violence (IPV). The
Centers for Disease Control estimates that IPV and sexual assault affect nearly 32
million Americans annually, and that the health consequences of trauma over a
lifespan are chronic and devastating. Yet it is estimated that fewer than 10 percent of
primary care physicians routinely screen for IPV.
“In Maine alone, according to the Department of Public Safety, we experience a
domestic assault every 96 minutes. The medical community is the single most
underutilized force in the fight against domestic violence,” said Add Verb’s executive
director and playwright Plourde. “It was thrilling to step onto such large stages to talk
to the medical community about the importance of screening for IPV. We were able to
demonstrate Add Verb’s unique way of breaking the ice through theatre—we strive to
make this topic accessible, respectful, and compelling.”
The Major Medical Breakthrough program is primarily utilized for continuing
professional education for practicing physicians and nurses, and as an alternative to a
traditional lecture for first- and second- year preclinical medical students. It is available
for booking year-round, nationally.
“I have worked in the field of violence and abuse professionally for over 15 years, and
have tried repeatedly to train and actively engage my colleagues in this area,” said one
conference attendee, a practicing physician. “This dramatic presentation is a
refreshing new way to educate and engage physicians.”
On January 25, 2010, The University of New England will present Major Medical
Breakthrough. For more information, contact Add Verb Productions at 207-772-1167.
The Institute on Violence, Abuse and Trauma (IVAT) is an international resource and
training center at Alliant International University. IVAT’s mission is to provide
professional training and information dissemination to improve the quality of life for
those affected by violence, abuse, and trauma on local, national, and international
levels. More information: www.ivatcenters.org
The 5th Biennial National Conference on Health and Domestic Violence aims to
advance the health care system’s response to domestic violence. The conference
attracts the nation’s leading medical, public health and family violence experts from
across the U.S. with increased international participation. More information:
www.fvpfhealthconference.org
