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Debra J. Kakuk Smith

Professor / Reference Librarian

Profile

Profile Photo
Debra Smith
Contact:
Office: SRC 3149
College of DuPage Library
425 Fawell Blvd.
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
(630) 942-4305
Website

My Guides

Education

Work Experience

  • Professor, Reference Librarian, College of DuPage, 2003 - Present
    • Nursing & Health Sciences Liaison (2003 - Present)
    • ESL, ABE and GED Liaison (2003 - 2008)
  • Interim Supervisor of the Learning Resouce Center and Venables Libraries, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 2002 - 2003
  • Educational Technology Librarian, Mayo Clinic Libraries, Rochester, MN, 1999 - 2003
  • Reference Librarian,  Kent District Library, Wyoming, MI, 1998
  • Library Assistant I, Kent District Library, East Grand Rapids, MI, 1996 - 1997
  • Composition and Developmental Reading Instructor, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI, 1996 - 1997
  • Reading and Writing Professional Tutor, Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Rapids, MI, 1996 - 1997

Courses Taught

  • LIBRA 1820 Medical Reference and Research for Consumers and Health Professionals

Publications, Posters & Presentations

Publications:

  • Smith, D.J.K. (2016). Parkinson’s Disease: A webliography. Journal of Consumer Health on the Internet, 20(3), 130-138. DOI: 10.1080/15398285.2016.1202017
  • Smith, D.J.K. (2015). Express yourself: A teen girl’s guide to speaking up and being who you are [Book Review]. CAPHIS Consumer Connections, 31(2).
  • Smith, D.J.K. (2015). Your child in the hospital: A practical guide for parents [Book Review]. CAPHIS Consumer Connections, 31(1).
  • Smith, D.J.K. (2014). Online caregiving resources. Journal of Consumer Health on the Internet 18(3), 260-270. DOI:10.1080/15398285.2014.932183
  • An Ounce of Prevention: Health Reference Basics (Soaring to Excellence 15:3). [Teleconference DVD]. Presenter: Debra J. Kakuk Smith; Producer: James Nocera. College of DuPage. Glen Ellyn, Illinois. 16 April 2009. http://dc.cod.edu/multimediaimages/163/
  • The Best from the Web (Soaring to Excellence 13:3). [Teleconference DVD]. Presenters: Debra Kakuk, Ameet Doshi, Kelly Watson; Producer: James Nocera. College of DuPage. Glen Ellyn, Illinois. 13 April 2007. http://dc.cod.edu/multimediaimages/56
  • "Join the Health Care Team: Become a Medical Librarian" [DVD]. Participant: Debra Kakuk; Producer: Medical Library Association. 2006.
  • Reference Tools for the Information Age: Consumer Medical Resources (Soaring to Excellence 11:3). [Teleconference DVD].  Presenters: Debra Kakuk, Michelle Kraft, Kelly Watson; Producer: James Nocera.  College of DuPage.  Glen Ellyn, Illinois. 11 Mar. 2005.
  • Kakuk, Debra. "JCHI Editor's Select Sites: Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis Sites." Journal of Consumer Health on the Internet 9.2 (2005): 87-95.
  • Kakuk, Debra. "JCHI Editor's Select Sites: Today's Special--Nutrition and Food Sites." Journal of Consumer Health on the Internet9.1 (2005): 81-89.
  • Kakuk, Debra. "JCHI Editor's Select Sites: Consumer Health for Kids and Parents." Journal of Consumer Health on the Internet 8.4 (2004): 91-101.
  • Kakuk, Debra. "JCHI Editor's Select Sites: Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia." Journal of Consumer Health on the Internet 8.3 (2004): 107-117.
  • Kakuk, Debra. "JCHI Editor's Select Sites: Sites for Caregivers." Journal of Consumer Health on the Internet 8.2 (2004): 97-105.
  • Kakuk, Debra. "JCHI Editor's Select Sites: Pharmaceutical Web Sites." Journal of Consumer Health on the Internet 8.1 (2004): 75-85.
  • Kakuk, Debra. "JCHI Editor's Select Sites: Pain Management Web Sites. " Journal of Consumer Health on the Internet 7.4 (2003): 83-91.
  • Kakuk, Debra. "JCHI Editor's Select Sites: Web Sites That Make You Smile. " Journal of Consumer Health on the Internet 7.3 (2003): 77-89.
  • Kakuk, Debra. "Multi-Type Librarian Workshops: A Consumer Health Outreach Project." Journal of Consumer Health on the Internet 7.3 (2003): 1-13.

Professional Posters & Presentations:

  • February 19, 2018 "Career & Resume Resources" and “Stress, Humor & the Workplace” workshops presented at the COD Early Childhood Center (ECC) Spring Staff Professional Development In-Service
  • May 17, 2015 “Community College Library Support for Health Professions” research poster presented at the 2015 Annual Medical Library Association Conference
  • March 16, 2012 “Hey you! You’re either at the table or on the menu” presentation at the Illinois Association of College & Research Libraries Conference
  • June 18, 2009 “Health Career Web Resources” presentation and Q&A as a part of the ICCB-DOL grant funded Cruisin’…A Voyage in Health Care Careers (a 2-day program for approximately 40 local middle and high school counselors and teachers on exploring health science careers and providing information for students and parents)
  • May 20, 2009 DuPage County Health Department train-the-trainer, 3-hour workshop instructing nurses and staff how to access online professional resources, improve their health literacy instruction, and provide them with quality, online, consumer health resources designed to meet the needs of their multicultural, multilingual, and age-diverse clients
  • May 2008 Resources Exploring & Promoting Health Science Careers presentation at the 1st Annual Health Sciences Cruisin’ event (a 3-day program for approximately 40 local middle and high school counselors and teachers sponsored by COD’s Continuing Education Department)

Consumer Health & Wellness Workshops and Presentations:

  • February 13, 2021 "Women's Heart Health" 30-minute presentation and discussion for the Isle ala Cache Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)
  • May 13, 2019 "Smart Medicine" 1-hour presentation and discussion at Messenger Public Library
  • September 14, 2017 “Safe Medicine, Savvy Patient” 1-hour presentation and discussion for the Elmhurst Women's Group
  • April 6, 2017 “Become an Empowered Patient” 1-hour workshop for residents at Marian Park (a low-income, senior assisted living facility)
  • March 11, 2013 "The Library: Your Prescription for Better Health!" 1-hour presentation at Park Place of Elmhurst retirement community
  • October 18, 2011 “Consumer Health Tips and Resources” 1-hour presentation to the Lombard Seniors Men’s Club
  • September 1, 2010 “Your WHAT Hurts? Finding Quality Health Information” 2-hour workshop at the Villa Park Public Library
  • May 19, 2007 "Explore Health Science Careers, Become Part of a Life-Saving Team" presentation for high school and college students at Changing the Face of Medicine: Celebrating America’s Women Physicians Exhibition, Governors State University
  • May 18, 2007 "Your WHAT Hurts? - Finding Quality Health Information." Consumer workshop at Changing the Face of Medicine: Celebrating America’s Women Physicians Exhibition, Governors State University
  • February 8, 2005 “Consumer Health Resources” workshop for the Oak Brook Women’s Health Issues Club

Membership in Professional Organizations

  • American Library Association (ALA)
    • Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL) -- the division of ALA dedicated to higher education
      • (including CJCLS, CLS, and several health sciences, assistive & accessibility-interest groups)
  • Health Science Librarians of Illinois (HSLI)
  • Medical Library Association (MLA)
    • Nursing & Allied Health Resources Section (NAHRS)
    • Consumer and Patient Health Information Section (CAPHIS)

Recommended Titles

Building Better Caregivers

Today more than 40 million people in the U.S. find themselves responsible for caring for a parent, relative, or friend. Building Better Caregivers shares the best in caregiving research and the most important lessons learned from thousands of caregivers.

Healthcare Choices

Making healthcare decisions is hard, but making the right choices has never mattered more. Archelle Georgiou, MD, explains her CARES model, the formula she developed to help people make smart healthcare decisions that balance the best medical options with individual preferences. Using real-life stories and insider tips, she demonstrates how to access the medical information you need to evaluate options and make well-informed choices whether you are addressing a life-threatening illness, self-managing a minor ailment, selecting a doctor, or buying insurance. This book will give you the confidence to advocate for the healthcare you want, need, and deserve.

Did You Just Eat That?

A humorous yet rigorous inquiry that follows the science of germs into the kitchen, restaurant, and everywhere else you eat and drink. Food scientists Paul Dawson and Brian Sheldon take you into their labs to show how they have determined everything from how much bacteria gets transferred from sharing utensils to how many microbes live on restaurant menus.

The Library Book

Orlean chronicles the LAPL fire and its aftermath to showcase the larger, essential role that libraries play in our communities; and delves into the evolution of libraries across the country and around the world.

  • URL: https://library.cod.edu/smith
  • Last Updated: Oct 11, 2022 1:32 PM
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