SPH News, June 4, 2012
SPH News is a school-wide electronic newsletter distributed to SPH faculty and staff every other week during the school year. To submit items for SPH News, send an email to sphnews@umn.edu by 9 a.m. on Wednesday prior to the desired publication date.
Editor’s Note: This summer, SPH News will be published July 2 and Aug. 6. It will resume bi-weekly publication Aug. 27.
From the Dean
John Finnegan, Jr.
An Unwavering Commitment
In 2008, the School of Public Health received $4.9 million in state funding for SPH researchers to study why so many taconite workers were dying of mesothelioma, a relatively rare lung cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Along with the Medical School and the Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI) at UMD, the school was asked to conduct an in-depth, independent scientific study that would shed light on the general health of taconite workers, while investigating whether lung diseases—particularly mesothelioma, lung cancer, and non-malignant lung disease—were related to working in the taconite industry. Some four years later, the study is deep into the results-analysis stage.
To engage the community in this crucial study, we jointly formed the Minnesota Taconite Workers Lung Health Partnership, co-chaired by former Minnesota legislator, Ron Dicklich, and me. The partnership is composed of representatives from the taconite industry, labor unions, retired employees, health care providers, the Minnesota Legislature, the Minnesota Department of Health, other state and local governmental agencies, and the University of Minnesota. Involving our stakeholders reflects our unwavering commitment to conducting a rigorous, scientific research process that is open, transparent, and engaging of those who have a vital interest in the results.
Last Thursday, SPH and UMD researchers leading the Minnesota Taconite Workers Health Study met via webcast with the partnership to update members on the investigation’s progress. Thursday’s meeting affirmed the importance of our inclusive process as researchers and stakeholders discussed initial data and shared perspectives.
In the coming months, researchers will be completing their analysis and begin releasing comprehensive findings from the study’s five component areas. It is likely that this will be one of the most comprehensive studies of its kind ever done in this area of occupational health, whatever the outcomes show.
I extend my thanks to the partnership members for their continued interest in and support of the science. Of course, without the research team led by Dr. Jeff Mandel of the SPH and Dr. George Hudak of the NRRI, none of this would be possible.
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The Summer Public Health Institute is going strong with 246 participants from 19 states and 23 countries. Of those attending, 189 are enrolled for graduate credit and another 57 are taking classes for noncredit. It’s simply amazing to see the home addresses on the class rosters—California, New York, Argentina, Togo, and Vietnam to name a few. My thanks to the faculty and staff who have planned and delivered another superb summer institute.
—John R. Finnegan, Jr., PhD
Professor and Dean
Faculty News
Kristin Anderson will appear this afternoon on KSTP-TV’s Twin Cities Live to discuss tips for grilling meat to cut down on exposure to carcinogens. The broadcast begins at 3 p.m.
Julie Jacko has edited the textbook, “The Human-Computer Interaction Handbook: Fundamentals, Evolving Technologies, and Emerging Applications, Third Ed.,” published by CRC Press.
Russell Luepker received the 2012 Carole J. Bland Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award from the University of Minnesota Medical School. The award, established in Carole Bland’s memory, is given to a faculty member who has served as an outstanding mentor to other faculty at the Medical School and exemplifies Carole Bland’s gift and passion for mentoring other faculty. Luepker has mentored more than 100 individuals at the University since 1978.
The 2012 August Teaching Enrichment Series will occur Tuesday, Aug. 28 and Wednesday, Aug. 29, Minneapolis Campus. Concurrent workshops will take place 9 a.m.-1 p.m. each day. Several workshops will be broadcast via UMConnect for those unable to attend in person. Online registration will open soon. For questions, contact the Center for Teaching and Learning at teachlrn@umn.edu.
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Download the flier »
SPH faculty and staff: consider encouraging SPH students and alumni job seekers to join the Summer SPH Job Search Support Group facilitated by Career Services, Mondays, June 4-July 16 (no meeting July 2), 10-11 a.m., Room D305 Mayo Memorial Building. The group will review the principles in the book “The 6 Reasons You’ll Get the Job” by Debra Angel MacDougall and Elisabeth Harney Sanders-Park. For questions contact Barb Laporte at 6-5443 or blaporte@umn.edu or Darren Kaltved at 6-4448 or dkaltved@umn.edu.
School News
The SPH is developing an Intranet specifically for SPH faculty and staff. The purpose is to make it easier to find and use information, forms, resources, and policies. A confidential survey has been developed that seeks your feedback on this new tool. Access the Intranet survey »
Epidemiology faculty and staff: consider encouraging students to help execute the U of MN SPH Epidemiology Reunion on Friday, June 29, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Brit’s Pub in Minneapolis. Student volunteer benefits include ample networking time with alumni and guests, free appetizers, and one free beverage ticket. Interested students should contact Nichole Axtman at mart1047@umn.edu by June 11.
The latest installment of the MHA Executive Interview Series features lan Kaplan, senior vice president and chief medical officer of the Iowa Health System and president/CEO of Iowa Health Physicians and Clinics. Kaplan discusses the transformation of a health system’s physician strategy. Read the interview »
SPH annual performance reviews are due June 15 to the dean’s office. Civil service, bargaining unit, and P&A staff who work at least 50 percent time can use the AHC Performance Appraisal Tool (PAT), a secure on-line employee review form, to complete their evaluations. Employees using PAT do not need to submit hard copies of the review. For questions, contact Lisa Bachman at bach0212@umn.edu or Nancy Casey at ncasey@umn.edu. Access the PAT system »
A new web-based InfoAlert form is available for SPH faculty and staff to get news and information quickly to the Advancement Services team. Once the members of the A-Team receive the form, they will review the information and consider options for disseminating the information. Access the online form »
The University of Minnesota Public Health Institute wraps up its three-week run this Friday. Check the institute schedule for free lectures and special events.
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“Storytelling in a Sound-Bite Culture,” presented by Don Shelby, journalist and former news anchor, WCCO-TV, will take place June 5, 12-1 p.m., L-110 Honeywell Lecture Hall, Carlson School of Management. This event is free, but registration is requested. Read more and register »
“Ensuring Food Safety: Whose Responsibility?” an event in the Finding Common Ground Forum Series, will take place Thursday, June 7, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Cargill Building, St. Paul Campus. U professor Will Hueston will facilitate a panel of experts from the consumer, producer, government, and food processor sectors as they discuss food safety, regulation, and responsibility. The registration fee is $50. For questions, contact Angie Stehr at 5-5209. Read more and register »
PUBH 6365 Epidemiology of Global Health, a two credit, half semester course taught by SPH professor Alan Lifson, will meet Mondays and Wednesdays, Sept. 4-Oct. 24, 11:15 a.m.-1:10 p.m. The course will focus on infectious and noninfectious global diseases, indicators of global health, risk factors and determinants, and prevention and control strategies. Students will benefit from a case-study approach with facilitated class discussions and a review of significant journal articles. For additional information, interested students should email Prof. Lifson at lifso001@umn.edu.
PUBH 7415 Introduction to Clinical Trials, three credits, is an online summer class in Biostatistics taught by Susan Telke and Lynn Eberly. Clinical researchers, medical and public health students and professionals, and others with career interests in these areas are welcome in this course. Enrollment is limited to 25. The prerequisite is one semester of statistics including hypothesis testing of two sample means or proportions. For questions contact Susan Telke at telke001@umn.edu or Lynn Eberly at eberl003@umn.edu. View the course guide »
PA 5451 Immigrant Health Issues, a fall semester online course for graduate students in public policy, education, public health, nursing, social work, and related fields, is open for enrollment. This course provides an understanding of the characteristics of immigrants and their families in the United States, major health needs, principles of cultural competence in service provision, and tools for effective advocacy. Enrollment is limited. For questions contact Stacey Grimes at 6-1329 or grime004@umn.edu.
Call for Poster Abstracts: Ninth Annual Women’s Health Research Conference. Deadline for short oral presentation is July 9. Deadline for general poster session is Aug. 31. Read more and submit an abstract »
The EpiCH shuttle will provide regular service May 21-June 8. No service will be provided June 9-Sept. 3. Regular schedule resumes Sept. 4. For questions, contact Ginger Hughes at 6-9397 or spea0030@umn.edu. Read more »
Reduced campus shuttle service will occur for summer. Campus Connector buses will run May 14-June 8, 7 a.m.-6 p.m., every 15 minutes. Read more »
SPH Events
Healthy Homes Workshops will take place Mondays June 4 and June 18, 6:30-8 p.m., Roseville Library. The workshops are an initiative of the National Children’s Study and Saint Paul-Ramsey County Public Health. Participants will learn to identify toxic chemicals, use non-toxic cleaning products, and create a healthy home. All are welcome. Contact sawye014@umn.edu to reserve a seat. Read more »
The Center on Aging Summer Institute 2012 “The Times They are a Changin’: How will these changes affect the lives of older people in Minnesota?” will take place Tuesday, June 12, 8:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Earle Brown Heritage Center. Participants will learn about and discuss impending changes in health care and social care in Minnesota. Continuing education credits have been requested for social workers and nursing home administrators. Aging services professionals and members of the general public are welcome to attend.
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Register online »
“Surgical Volume and Center Effects on Early Mortality After Pediatric Cardiac Surgery: 25-year Experience from the Pediatric Cardiac Care Consortium,” a Clinical Research final oral presentation by Lazaros Kochilas, MD will occur Thursday, June 14, 10-10:30 a.m., Caroline Amplatz Conference Room, Pediatric ECHO Lab, Riverside Campus, East Building, 2450 Riverside Ave. Read more »
An 8-Hour Site Worker Refresher will occur Thursday, June 7, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Read more and register »
A Lead-Based Paint Renovation, Repair, and Painting Training Program will occur Thursday, June 28, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Read more and register »
Protecting the Public Health Worker: PPE and RP will occur Monday, July 16, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Rice Memorial Hospital, Willmar, Minn. This session will examine approaches to protecting public health workers from hazards they may experience at work, particularly during emergency response. Read more and register »
The 2012 National Maternal Nutrition Intensive Course will take place July 25-27, Cowles Auditorium, Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs. This course is designed for dietitians, nutritionists, certified nurse midwives, registered nurses and nurse practitioners, physicians and public health professionals who serve preconceptual, pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women. Read more and register »
An 8-Hour Emergency Response Refresher will occur Tuesday, Aug. 7, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Read more and register »
An 8-Hour Hospital Decontamination course will occur Thursday, Aug. 9, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Red Wing, MN. Read more and register »
Other Events
“The Landscape of Change: Charting opportunities for Chronic Disease Prevention and Management in Health Reform” will take place June 6-7 at the Earle Brown Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center. Read more »
Twin Cities World Refugee Day takes places Saturday, June 16, 1-6 p.m., Minnehaha Park, Minneapolis. Read more »
The Enough for All Summer Benefit Concert, sponsored by A Minnesota Without Poverty, takes place Monday, June 25, 7-9 p.m., Capri Theater, Minneapolis. Read more »
The American Public Health Association (APHA) midyear meeting focusing on “The New Public Health—Rewiring for the Future” will take place June 26-28, Charlotte, N.C. Read more and register »