Speaker

"An Ounce of Prevention: Health Reference Basics"

Broadcast Date: Thursday, April 16, 2009

Debra J. Kakuk Smith

Debra has earned a M.A. in English from the University of Minnesota, and her M.L.I.S. degree from Wayne State University. Employed by the College of DuPage Library since 2003, she is an Associate Professor and supports the Health Sciences Division. A skilled medical and consumer health information professional and a proactive patient advocate, she specializes in supporting the information needs of health professionals, students and consumers. Debra has worked at the Mayo Clinic and taught consumer health classes across the United States. She has served as a Column Editor for Haworth Press's Journal of Consumer Health on the Internet (JCHI).

Prior to her Library career, Debra taught developmental reading and academic writing at several universities. Her English background serves her well in her work with Adult Education and English as a Second Language (ESL) faculty and students. Until Fall of 2008, she supported the College of DuPage ESL, ABE (Adult Basic Education) and GED programs. Her work experience, gained while working as a public, special and academic librarian, led her to community college librarianship because, “it combines the best of each field.”

Program Overview | Consumer Health Reference Toolkit