This winter UConn Health will start offering free monthly webinars to guide current and prospective patients on their role in their own well-being.

Organized by Khadija Poitras-Rhea and Wendy Martinson from UConn Health’s population health team, the Virtual Community Education series starts with “Learn How to Use MyChart” Feb. 15. Naomi Donat from UConn Health’s Information Technology Department will demonstrate how to use UConn Health’s online patient portal. The debut webinar is open for registration.

“We are hoping this would engage some of our patients to actively engage in taking care of their health, for example getting their colon screening, managing their diabetes, and scheduling their annual wellness visits,” says Martinson, ambulatory quality manager.

UConn Health faculty and staff will be the presenters, and the webinars are open to all. Links to join the sessions will be part of UConn Health’s regular public outreach channels, including the community programs page and the monthly patient newsletter.

The topics scheduled for March and April are colon cancer prevention and managing medications at home. Other topics tentatively planned include stroke, fall prevention, behavioral health, heart health, diabetes, and making the most of annual wellness appointments.

“The virtual education program is a great series for patients to educate themselves on ways to stay healthy,” Martinson says. “It’s scheduled at noon on the third Wednesday of every month —a perfect time to have a virtual lunch and learn.”