The Weekly SPHere, March 19, 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.
Spotlight
The annual student-organized Support the U Rally Day will be held March 30. The system-wide event provides students with the opportunity to voice their support for the University through a rally and meetings with their elected officials. Faculty and staff are asked to inform and encourage students to attend the event at the Minnesota State Capitol.
Top three reasons you should attend SPH Research Day on April 2:
- Free professional headshots, 10-11:30 a.m., Coffman Union Great Hall. This photo service is available on a first come, first serve basis.
- Support Your Classmates. There are 62 students participating in SPH Research Day. Odds are you know at least one person. Click here to view list of participants.
- Learn about some of the latest SPH research. Our students are conducting interesting research on a variety of topics such as sexual health, healthy diets, occupational health, and private health insurance.
Research Day is open to the public 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Students will be at their posters from noon-1 p.m. at Coffman Memorial Union’s Great Hall. Read more »
Student News
Samantha Mills is featured in the most recent installment of the “My Life” video series. Learn how her experience in the Peace Corps led her to pursue an MPH at the SPH. Read more and watch the video »
A SOPHAS webinar, “The Real Cost of Financing Your Public Health Degree,” will occur Thursday, April 19, 1 p.m. Learn how to finance a public health education and get practical advice on incurring student loans. Read more and register »
Classroom Feedback Survey. Each spring semester, the Academic Health Center classroom services office asks students and faculty to give feedback on classrooms. Survey results are used to help prioritize classroom improvements. Take the survey from March 19 through April 1.
Volunteers Needed at the National Public Health Week Film Festival, April 2-6. Are you planning on attending one or more nights? Consider arriving early to help greet, pop popcorn, take photos, or collect surveys. Several volunteer spots are open. Click on the link below to view volunteer roles, times needed, and openings by day. All volunteers will receive a small gift of appreciation. Contact Nichole Axtman, mart1047@umn.edu, with your desired volunteer role and time or if you have questions. Read available volunteer roles »
What’s free at the National Public Health Week Film Festival?
- Food. Common Roots Cafe is providing snacks nightly. In addition, there will be Starbucks coffee, Birchwood Cafe dessert, area restaurant coupons, lollipops, and popcorn. Check the schedule for a listing of freebies by night.
- Admission. Everyone is invited to attend, watch films, and ask experts questions. Doors open at 5 p.m. Program begins at 5:30 p.m. with films promptly following.
- Education. Experts in the areas of nutrition, human rights, AIDS, aging, and sexual health will answer questions and give insight into nightly topics.
The festival is April 2-6, East Bank campus locations. To learn more, go to www.sph.umn.edu/filmfest.
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 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 »
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 »
School News
“Is Weight Loss Necessary for Diabetes Prevention?” will occur Wednesday, March 21, noon-1 p.m., 3-125 Mayo Memorial Building. SPH associate professor Mark Pereira will discuss the scientific evidence for the role of lifestyle changes and weight loss in the prevention of type 2 diabetes. Refreshments provided. Questions? Email wmhealth@umn.edu.
“Taking Charge of Your Health: Find Your Own Path to Wellbeing” will occur Monday, April 9, 3-4:30 p.m., Coffman Union Great Hall. Walter Willett, professor of epidemiology and nutrition and chairman of the department of nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, will present. Read more »
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 »
SPH Events
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. Register »
Other Events
“Voice of the Voiceless,” sponsored by Hands Off Honduras, will occur Tuesday, March 20, noon, Mississippi Room, Coffman Union. Questions? Email handsoffhonduras@gmail.com.
“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. Additional information and registration »