Session Title: Upgrade Your Virtual Connection: Strategies to be an Ethical and Effective Communicator

Description: The rapid global adoption of telehealth and video conferencing has forced us to embrace virtual communication, while also raising ethical concerns regarding liability, privacy, and licensure. This session will increase your knowledge and understanding of our professional Code of Ethics, specifically as it applies to connecting in a virtual world. You will leave with an increased awareness of your virtual communication tendency and glean practical tips for increasing your engagement with a remote audience. Come prepared to share your lessons learned over the past two years, including any embarrassing moments with the mute button or mishaps with the cat filter. It’s never too late to reboot and upgrade your virtual connection!  

Learning Needs Codes: 1050 Ethics, 1130 Verbal communication skills, presentations, 1020 Computer, electronic technology

Performance Indicator Codes:
1.5.1 Stays current of, complies with and models national, state and local legislation, policies and standards
2.1.2 Identifies barriers to effective communication.
2.1.4 Uses a variety of media to deliver information.

Speaker Bio:
Molly Mills serves as the South Carolina Healthy Schools Program Manager for a national non-profit organization,The Alliance for a Healthier Generation. In this position, she has learned how to virtually collaborate and communicate with statewide community partners and geographically dispersed team members. Her previous experience as a Telehealth Dietitian with Sodexo at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) allowed her to master the art of virtual nutrition counseling and to literally meet patients where they are. Starting in 2012 as one of the first dietitians to pilot the Outpatient Telenutrition program at MUSC, Molly has seen a complete transformation of how telehealth is perceived by patients and providers, especially since the rapid adoption brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Molly is also a leader in the South Carolina dietetics community, currently serving as SCAND’s Public Policy Coordinator and previously serving as President. Due to her contributions and leadership, she was recognized as the Charleston-Trident 2018 Outstanding Dietitian of the Year and 2015 Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking with her husband and dog, as well as virtually connecting with her family in Georgia and Ohio.

Learning Outcomes:
Participants will…

• Increase their knowledge and understanding of the Academy’s professional Code of Ethics
• Be able to identify their personal virtual communication tendency
• Use best practices to maximize virtual engagement with patients/clients and team members