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Primary care: Tuesday at 6:00 p.m.

Category: Announcements

  • Fall Dental Clinic

    It is Fall Dental Clinic time, and the newsletter announced several upcoming clinics.

    Clinic dates listed in Daybreak

    The newsletter stated that Dental Clinic would be held on Wednesdays:

    • September 9
    • September 23
    • October 7
    • October 21
    • November 4
    • November 18
    • December 2

    Services and capacity described in the newsletter

    Each clinic was described as having capacity for a maximum of 12 patients. The listed services were oral exams, head and neck cancer screenings, and fluoride treatments.

    The newsletter stated that patients needing dental work could be enrolled with the School of Dentistry for discounted and follow-up care. It also stated that family members of DAWN patients were welcome because openings were available. These statements require confirmation before they are used as current patient guidance.

    The newsletter asked volunteers to inform their patients.

    Team update

    The item also introduced Rozhin as the new Dental Liaison and welcomed her to the team.

    Source

    This item appeared in DAWN Daybreak on August 18, 2026. The original source email is preserved in the project files.

  • Myth vs. Fact: Pregnancy During a Period

    Myth

    You cannot get pregnant if you have sex while you are on your period.

    Fact

    The Daybreak article explained that pregnancy is less likely during menstruation than during the fertile window, but it is still possible. Ovulation timing varies between people and cycles, and sperm can survive in the reproductive tract for up to about five days. With a shorter cycle or earlier-than-expected ovulation, sperm from intercourse during menstruation may still be present when an egg is released. Cycle timing alone is therefore not a reliable way to prevent pregnancy.

    Bottom line from the newsletter

    A period does not guarantee protection from pregnancy. The chance may be lower, but pregnancy can still occur, especially with irregular or shorter menstrual cycles. The article advised people who do not want to become pregnant to use a reliable contraceptive method regardless of where they are in their cycle.

    Credit and references

    Written by Michael Chen.

    Source

    This item appeared in DAWN Daybreak on August 18, 2026. The original source email is preserved in the project files.

  • Volunteer Shoutout: Kristin Gardelli

    DAWN Daybreak recognized Kristin Gardelli, a Foot and Wound Care RN volunteer.

    The newsletter reported that Kristin organized a sock drive at the nursing school to collect socks that could be offered to patients. It described her as a steady and dedicated Foot and Wound Care volunteer and thanked her for going above and beyond to support patients and the community.

    Interested in getting involved

    The newsletter stated that Foot and Wound Care was looking for student volunteers.

    Readers who wanted to nominate another DAWN volunteer for a future shoutout were directed to email Emma Shelby with the volunteer’s name and a brief explanation.

    Source

    This item appeared in DAWN Daybreak on August 18, 2026. The original source email is preserved in the project files.

  • Family and Internal Medicine Volunteer Preceptors Needed

    DAWN Daybreak invited Family Medicine and Internal Medicine physicians to serve as volunteer preceptors at evening primary care clinics. The newsletter described preceptors as mentoring students in a team-based environment while supporting uninsured adults in the community.

    Why volunteer with DAWN

    • Flexible commitment: Choose in-person or telehealth options once a quarter.
    • Give back: Provide compassionate care to underserved patients.
    • Teach and inspire: Mentor future healthcare professionals.
    • Join a collaborative team: Work with students, interpreters, and nurses.
    • Focus on equity: Support whole-person care in a welcoming environment.

    Schedule stated in the newsletter

    The August 11 newsletter stated that clinics ran Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the CU Anschutz Health and Wellness Center. This is archived information and must not be used as current clinic scheduling guidance.

    Links from Daybreak

    Open the volunteer link referenced in Daybreak (opens in a new window).

    Questions were directed to Brian Wolfe.

    Source

    This item appeared in DAWN Daybreak on August 11, 2026. The original source email is preserved in the project files.

  • The Hidden Effects of Wildfire Smoke

    DAWN Daybreak reported on research suggesting that wildfire smoke may affect developing babies during pregnancy as well as the lungs and heart.

    The item described a study of more than 3,000 pregnancies in California. It stated that exposure to wildfire-related PM2.5 during the first eight weeks of pregnancy was associated with higher odds of certain birth defects, including spina bifida, heart defects, and cleft lip.

    The newsletter connected the research to wildfire smoke exposure in Colorado and emphasized patient education about checking air quality, taking extra precautions during pregnancy, and reducing smoke exposure.

    Credit and reference

    Written by Jiapsi Duran.

    PubMed record 41986615 (opens in a new window).

    Source

    This item appeared in DAWN Daybreak on August 11, 2026. The original source email is preserved in the project files.

  • Volunteer Shoutouts

    DAWN Daybreak invited readers to nominate a DAWN volunteer for a future newsletter spotlight.

    The newsletter suggested recognizing someone who had gone above and beyond, helped with a question or challenging situation, made another volunteer feel welcome, or was a kind, friendly, and outgoing member of the DAWN team.

    Nominations were directed to Emma Shelby with the volunteer’s name and a brief explanation of why they should receive a shoutout.

    Source

    This item appeared in DAWN Daybreak on August 11, 2026. The original source email is preserved in the project files.

  • Urgent Call for Preceptors

    DAWN Daybreak asked for physician preceptors for August clinics and reported that several clinic nights did not have attending coverage.

    The newsletter noted that attendings did not need to be previously involved with DAWN and that new physician preceptors could be onboarded quickly. Students were encouraged to personally invite attendings to volunteer for a Tuesday evening clinic.

    Coverage needs listed in the newsletter

    • August 4: Telehealth preceptor
    • August 6: Experienced preceptor
    • August 11: No attendings signed up
    • August 18: No attendings signed up
    • August 20: No attendings signed up
    • August 25: No attendings signed up

    Interested attendings were asked to email Brook Laguana as soon as possible.

    Source

    This item appeared in DAWN Daybreak on July 28, 2026. The original source email is preserved in the project files.

  • Lettuce Talk About Food Safety!

    A recent Cyclospora outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce was presented as an example of how contaminated food can affect communities. The newsletter noted that even healthy foods can carry harmful parasites.

    The article stated that Cyclospora can cause dehydration, watery diarrhea, nausea, stomach cramps, and fatigue, and that symptoms may last for several days or return after briefly improving.

    Food safety reminders

    The newsletter recommended washing hands before and during meal preparation, cleaning kitchen surfaces, checking food recall notices, and thoroughly washing fresh produce.

    It also emphasized prevention and clear community education about recognizing foodborne illness, preventing dehydration, and avoiding recalled foods.

    Credit and references

    Written by Jiapsi Duran.

    Source

    This item appeared in DAWN Daybreak on July 28, 2026. The original source email is preserved in the project files.

  • Behavioral Health Team Update

    DAWN Daybreak welcomed Dr. Christy Thrash, PsyD, after she shadowed DAWN Clinic on July 21 and decided to join the team as a Behavioral Health preceptor. At the time of the newsletter, she was completing onboarding.

    The newsletter described Dr. Thrash as an integrated care psychologist with CU Medicine who specializes in evidence-based behavioral health within primary care. It noted experience supporting patients with anxiety, depression, OCD, chronic pain, grief, insomnia, substance use, and healthy lifestyle changes through a collaborative, team-based approach.

    The item also described the possibility of expanding Behavioral Health Clinic back to twice monthly later in the year.

    Source

    This item appeared in DAWN Daybreak on July 28, 2026. The original source email is preserved in the project files.

  • DAWN Scholarship and Sustainability Opportunities

    DAWN Daybreak shared opportunities for volunteers interested in research, quality improvement, education, and other scholarly projects.

    DAWN Project Tracker

    The newsletter stated that projects involving patients, patient data, patient care, surveys, interviews, focus groups, or quality improvement should be entered into the DAWN Project Tracker and receive the appropriate COMIRB determination.

    Open the DAWN Project Tracker referenced in Daybreak (opens in a new window).

    National Clinical Sustainability Challenge

    The National Clinical Sustainability Challenge was described as a six-month interdisciplinary quality-improvement initiative focused on reducing healthcare’s environmental footprint.

    • Teams should have a project idea and be assembled before contacting DAWN leadership.
    • Teams should include two to five students.
    • At least one team member should be a medical student.
    • Interdisciplinary teams were encouraged.

    Teams with a proposal were directed to email Emma Shelby to discuss whether the project was a fit for DAWN. The newsletter listed October 1, 2026 as the proposal deadline.

    Read about the National Clinical Sustainability Challenge (opens in a new window).

    Open the application form referenced in Daybreak (opens in a new window).

    Source

    This item appeared in DAWN Daybreak on July 28, 2026. The original source email is preserved in the project files.