The Weekly SPHere March 12, 2012
The Weekly SPHere is a weekly electronic publication for students in the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. To submit items for the Weekly SPHere, send an email to sphnews@umn.edu by 9 a.m. on Wednesday prior to the desired publication date.
SPHere Spotlight
You + the National Public Health Week Film Festival = Fun times. Add April 2-6, 5 p.m., East Bank campus to your calendar. Films will focus on public health topics including food, health and human rights, AIDS, end-of-life decisions, and sexual health. Rounding out each evening will be free food and expert Q&A. For films, locations, and speakers, go to www.sph.umn.edu/filmfest.
SPH Research Day Poster Competition has 62 participants–a new record! View the full list of participants and abstract titles by clicking here. Show your support for the students and attend the event on Monday, April 2, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Coffman Memorial Union Great Hall. Students will be at their posters noon-1 p.m. Read more »
Student News
Community Health Education (CHE) has a new name. Effective immediately the Community Health Education major has a new name: Community Health Promotion (CHP). Current students who have any question about this change should contact their major coordinator, Kathryn Schwartz at epichstu@umn.edu.
The University Partnership for Health Informatics (UP-HI) will hold a career fair on April 6, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Coffman Memorial Union, Mississippi Room. A variety of recruiters from healthcare organizations will be present. Bring your resume and dress in business attire. Questions? Contact UP-HI at up-hi@umn.edu. Read more »
Students in Aging Studies: attend a panel discussion with professionals and networking event on Thursday, April 5, 5-6:45 p.m., CHIP Student Center, 1-425 Moos Tower (downstairs from Java City). Questions? Email coa@umn.edu. Register by April 2 »
The University of MN Obesity Prevention Training Program (MnOPT) is recruiting for a postdoctoral fellowship position that will begin on or after July 1. The deadline for applications is May 1. Trainees will engage in research that focuses on the biology of obesity, clinical research on human obesity, and applied studies of treatment and prevention in community settings. Read more »
Call for Papers: Journal of Global Health Perspectives. The goal of the journal is to provide a peer-reviewed, open-access, online educational resource for the global health community. Articles must be submitted by March 15 and will be published online at jglobalhealth.org. To submit, email your article, a concept paper, or an abstract, along with your institutional affiliations to submissions@jglobalhealth.org.
An H-1B Visa workshop will occur Tuesday, March 20, 4-5:30 p.m., 331 Smith Hall. An immigration attorney from a local law firm will provide information on the H-1B eligibility requirements, application process, and timelines. This workshop is specifically for people who are interested in becoming an H-1B for employers other than University of Minnesota. Register »
U of M Travel Abroad Requirements. University policy applies to students participating in any University program abroad or overseas program connected to their studies at the U, even if coordinated or funded through another organization. This includes, but is not limited to internships, field experiences, capstones, research, and student organization travel. Students traveling abroad must adhere to the following requirements:
- Mandatory Health and Security Insurance: All students traveling overseas for University purposes are required to purchase mandatory health and security insurance. The cost is $28.50 per month. Details and application »
- Travel Approval: Students traveling to countries on the U.S. Department of State’s travel warning list must apply for special travel permission. Applicants are encouraged to apply early because review process can take six to eight weeks. Applications completed less than two weeks prior to planned departure will not be approved. Read more »
Questions? Contact Global Programs and Strategy Alliance at global@umn.edu.
The U of M Center on Aging announces the reactivation of the Gamma Phi chapter of Sigma Phi Omega. This national academic and professional honor society in gerontology aims to promote scholarship, research, professionalism, friendship, and service to older persons, as well as to recognize academic excellence and professionalism in gerontology. Apply to become a member by March 19.
The U of M International Student and Scholars Services seeks international and U.S. graduate students to apply for the Cross-Cultural Leadership Retreat. The retreat will take place Saturday, March 24, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., 101 University International Center, East Bank. This interactive, high-energy event is a living laboratory of what it takes to work with people from different cultures. Participants start friendships with people from all over the world and discover their own leadership potential. Space is limited, so apply online by Sunday, March 11, 5 p.m. Questions? Contact Thorunn Bjarnadottir at thorunnb@umn.edu or 612-626-4799. Register »
School News
Spring Break EpiCH Shuttle Schedule. The shuttle will not run Monday, March 12 through Friday, March 16. The shuttle resume regular service on Monday, March 19.
Call for Nominations for 2012 SPH Faculty and P&A Awards. The SPH Recognition, Awards, and Honors (RAH) Committee welcomes nominations for the following awards: Leonard M. Schuman Award for Excellence in Teaching, Charles N. Hewitt Creative Teaching Award, SPH Award for Excellence in Advising, SPH P&A Excellence Award, and the new Outstanding Public Health Engagement Faculty Service Award. Nominations and supporting documentation are due Monday, April 16, to the RAH Committee. Submit to Stefannie Thompson at stef@umn.edu or MMC 197, A302 Mayo. Read detailed award information »
All-School Assembly Meeting. SPH faculty, staff, and students are invited to attend the school-wide spring assembly and faculty meeting, which will occur Thursday, May 10, 1-2:30 p.m., location TBD. SPH award winners will be announced. Refreshments provided. Parking coupons will be available for the meeting. Read more »
The Health Equity Conference, sponsored by the Program in Health Disparities Research, Center for Health Equity, and Minnesota Center for Cancer Collaborations, will take place April 23-24. SPH professor Kathleen Call will participate as a session speaker. Registration is required »
A Minnesota Public Health Association Policy Forum titled “Are We Winning (or Losing) the Battle on Teenage Mental Health?” will take place Friday, March 23, 7-9:30 a.m., Minnesota Department of Health, Snelling Office Park. Ellen Benavides, assistant commissioner, Minnesota Department of Health, will moderate the forum. There will be plenty of free parking. Registration requested »
Kathleen Call, SPH associate professor discusses how the percentage of Minnesotans without health insurance remains as high even though the economy is recovering. Read more in the most recent installment of Public Health Moment.
SPH Events
An environmental health science seminar will take place Tuesday, March 13, 2:30-3:30 p.m., Mayo 3-100. Read more »
An EpiCH seminar will take place Friday, March 16, 2:30-3:30 p.m., 364 West Bank Office Building. Read more »
An environmental health science seminar will take place Tuesday, March 20, 2:30-3:30 p.m., Mayo 3-100. Read more »
“The Pervasive Reach of African American Health Disparities: Research, Workforce, and Community Practice” will occur Friday, March 23, noon-1 p.m., A110 Mayo Building. The Health Disparities Work Group student subcommittee and SPH Student Senate diversity committee co-sponsor this presentation on documenting and addressing health disparities in the African American community. Refreshments will be provided. Questions? Contact Tolu Abikoye at abiko001@umn.edu. Read more »
“African-American Seniors’ Perspectives on Advance Care Planning” will occur Tuesday, March 27, noon-1:15 p.m., Mayo 3-125. This lecture will be presented by Saundra Crump, Minnesota Hartford Geriatric Nursing Education Scholar. Pizza will be served at noon; introductions will occur at 12:10 p.m. Read more »
An environmental health science seminar will take place Tuesday, March 27, 2:30-3:30 p.m., Mayo 3-100. Read more »
Attend Taste Diversity “Africa,” Wednesday, March 28, 5-7:30 p.m., the Whole Music Club, Coffman Union. Sponsored by the Dean’s Office and organized by the Student Senate Diversity Committee, this is the sixth yearly celebration. This event is for SPH students, alumni, faculty, and staff. Stay tuned for more information. Questions? Mercedes Estrada at estra021@umn.edu. RSVP on Facebook » Watch the video invitation »
“A New Flavor of the Introductory Statistics Course: Teaching Students to Cook” will occur Wednesday, March 28, 3:30-4:30 p.m., 2-530 Moos Tower. This biostatistics seminar will be presented by Joan Garfield, Robert del Mas, and Andrew Zieffler, Department of Educational Psychology, University of Minnesota. A social tea will be held at 3 p.m. in A434 Mayo. Read more »
The EnHS Journal Club will meet Thursday, March 29, 3-4 p.m., 6-224 Phillips-Wagensteen Building. Explore environmental health with MPH, MS, and PhD students, as well as SPH faculty with in-depth discussions of current topics in occupational, including health, toxicology, infectious diseases, global health and more. Read more »
An EpiCH seminar will take place Friday, March 30, 2:30-3:30 p.m., 364 West Bank Office Building. Read more »
The SPH Roundtable, “The Economy and Health: What is the Role of Public Health?” will occur Friday, April 27, 9 a.m.-noon, Coffman Memorial Union Theater. This Roundtable will focus on the effects of recent changes in the economy on health and the policies and programs needed to improve the health of those most affected by the recession and job loss. Read more and register »
Other Events
“Tracking Health Communication Resources, Needs, and Experiences in the U.S. Population: The Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS)” will occur Monday, March 19, 12:15-1:15 p.m., 50 Willey Hall (MPC Seminar Room). Read more »
A Cancer Disparities Grand Rounds, “The Communication Revolution and Health Inequalities in the 21st Century: Promises and Pitfall,” will occur Tuesday, March 27, noon-1 p.m., Mayo Auditorium. Read more »
Minnesota Evaluation Studies Institute’s spring conference will occur March 28-30, Continuing Education Conference Center, St. Paul campus. Read more and register »