SPH News April 14, 2008
SPH News is a school-wide electronic newsletter distributed to SPH faculty and staff every other week during the school year. Please send news items to SPHNews@umn.edu.
From the Dean
"Lies, damned lies, and statistics..." That phrase, long attributed to former British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, has often been cited to show how numbers can be used to advance flawed arguments. This is most certainly NOT the case with the statistics that have been crossing my desk in recent days. Those numbers illustrate the solid position of strength the School of Public Health currently finds itself in.
Here are some highlights:
- The SPH has reclaimed the top position in a ranking of NIH awards for schools of public health at a public university. (Of all schools of public health, we are #3 behind Harvard and Johns Hopkins.)
- We are #1 among all schools of public health by a wide margin in the average NIH award amount, coming in at more than $1.3 million per award. This is more than double our closest competitors, Harvard and Columbia.
- Here at home, we are once again #2 in dollars received through sponsored projects, behind only the Medical School, having overtaken the Institute of Technology.
These numbers don't lie. Our faculty (and the staff and students that support them) are among the most productive researchers in the world. You are working daily to advance public health and create a culture of discovery.
These numbers and many others will be the focus of the cover story of the upcoming issue of Advances. They help illustrate our leadership position in relation to other schools of public health, and other units here at the University of Minnesota.
Thank you for all you do.
--John R. Finnegan, Jr., Ph.D.
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Media News
March 2008 media coverage featured the following SPH faculty and staff:
Bruce Alexander
Brad Carlin
Timothy Church
Roger Feldman
John Finnegan
Simone French
William Hueston
Robert Kane
Bea Krinke
Nicole Larson
Jennifer Linde
Toben Nelson
Diane Neumark-Sztainer
Michael Osterholm
Keryn Pasch
Mark Pereira
Matt Simcik
Lynn Steffen
Hardi Wangsabesari
Coverage was featured in local media as well as in the New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Ashville Citizen-Times, Chicago Tribune, Newsday, Associate Press, Reuters, HealthDay News, The Advertiser in Australia, The Money Times in India, Medical News Today, NBC Nightly News, CBSNews.com, and Science Magazine. Visit www.sph.umn.edu/news/ to read more about SPH faculty in the news and find links to the complete stories.
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Research News
Primary Investigator |
Project Title |
Award Amount |
Funding Agency |
Lisa Brosseau |
Controlling Mercury Vapor Release from Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs |
$18,027 |
Vaporlok Tech LLC
|
Jon Christianson
|
Regional Quality Strategy Planning Grant
|
$18,252
|
Pennsylvania State University |
Melissa Constantine |
DREGAN Project Publications and Data Dissemination
|
$20,000 |
Clear Way Minnesota |
Deborah Hennrikus |
An Integrated Work Safety -- Smoking Cessation Program |
$84,705 |
Clear Way Minnesota |
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Faculty News
Research Grants on African-American Marriage and Health are available through the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation within the Department of Health and Human Services. The group has contracted Mathematica Policy Research, Inc. (MPR) to commission a series of research briefs examining the link between marriage and health in the African American community. MPR plans to fund up to six proposals at $10,000 per award. Proposals are due Wednesday, April 30. Graduate students may apply under the direction of someone who holds a doctoral degree.
• See
the full RFP
Lynn Blewett discussed health care coverage and access for the Rockefeller Institute of Government and the New York State Health Foundation. She is an invited expert to help New York policymakers and thought leaders learn about health insurance coverage in Minnesota.
The National Delta Omega is seeking nominations for a new president-elect and member at-large for the term 2009-2010. To be eligible interested parties must be members of Delta Omega and full-time faculty or staff at an institution with an active Delta Omega Chapter. Questions? Contact the National Office at (202) 296-1099 or afoster@asph.org. For questions about the roles and responsibilities of officers, contact Amy Lee at afl@neoucom.edu. Submit a letter of interest and CV by Sept. 1 to:
Delta Omega Honorary Society
1101 15th Street NW Suite 910
Washington DC 20005
• Download more information (PDF)
Nominations for the Ada Comstock Distinguished Women Scholar Award for Fall 2008 are being accepted. The award acknowledges and honors the scholarly accomplishments and leadership of distinguished women faculty at the University and offers a forum for them to share their insights and ideas with a campus and community audience. All nominations are to be submitted electronically as indicated on the awards application form.
- Nomination materials must be received by 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 1.
- Any University person or group may submit one or more nominations.
- E-mail nominations to: Women's Faculty Cabinet c/o Office for University Women at women@umn.edu. Attn: Ada Comstock Distinguished Women Scholar Award Selection Committee
Questions/Information:
Peg Lonnquist, Office for University Women, 5-6039
Women's Faculty Cabinet, wfc@umn.edu
The Association for Prevention Teaching and Research is seeking applications for a professional collaboration: the Institute for Interprofessional Prevention Education. Up to 20 teams composed of three faculty members from different health professions within the same academic health center will be selec ted to attend the institute. Applicants must describe the type of educational and developmental project they plan to undertake as a post-institute project. The institute will be held Sept. 4-5. The application deadline is Monday, April 21.
• Learn more online
The Office for Equity and Diversity has announced the fourth annual "Celebration of Achievement" for graduating multicultural students on Saturday, April 26, 1 p.m., at Ted Mann Concert Hall. The ceremony will include a processional and presentation of a stole to each graduate. Questions? Contact Andrew Williams at 6-9671.
• Learn more online
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School News
Save the date for the Annual SPH Faculty and Assembly Meeting which will be held on Friday, May 16. All SPH faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to attend. The meeting will be held in Mayo Auditorium beginning with refreshments at 8:45 a.m. and the meeting goes from 9:15 to 10:45 a.m.
Check out the top three winning entries of the second annual "It's Global” Public Service Announcement contest sponsored by the SPH in recognition of National Public Health Week. More than 50 PSAs were entered this year.
• View the top three entries
Join SPH student volunteers as they participate in an "April Showers Baby Drive,” to benefit the Tubman Family Alliance and Chrysalis Woman's shelters. Needs include new disposable diapers (all sizes), wipes, pacifiers, bottles, sippy cups, baby wash and lotion, teething rings, etc. A collection box will be available in the CHIP lounge throughout the month of April. The drive is sponsored by volunteers of the Phillips Neighborhood Clinic. Email gies0106@umn.edu for more information.
Attend an open house and see the new home of the AHC Office of Clinical Research in room 202, 717 Delaware St. S.E. Attendees will get to meet members of the Office of Clinical Research, hear about the services offered, tour the state-of-the-art facilities and enjoy complimentary continental breakfast or lunch. Open house dates and times: April 22, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m.; or May 6, Noon to 1 p.m.
• More about the Office of Clinical Research
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SPH Events & Courses
Qun Shi will discuss "Mechanism of the Bacteriophage ø29 DNA-Packing Motor," at 3:45 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16 in A434 Mayo. Refreshments will be served prior to the presentation.
The SPH Health Disparities Working Group will meet on Wednesday, April 16 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in Mayo A301. The purpose of the meeting is to provide greater visibility to health disparities research in the SPH; strengthen collaborative efforts among SPH faculty engaged in health disparities research; create partnerships between SPH faculty and community-based organizations engaged in health disparities research, and work with SPH faculty to ensure health disparities issues are better integrated in course curricula. Students are welcome. For more information or an agenda, contact Rhonda Jones-Webb at jones010@umn.edu.
Open Dialogue with Frank B. Cerra, senior vice president for health sciences. Faculty and staff from the SPH are invited to an open discussion with Cerra on April 18, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the Mayo Auditorium. Refreshments available. Cerra will give a brief presentation and will then open the floor to questions. Come have your questions answered and discuss plans for the future of the School of Public Health.
"Heterologous Immunity, GI Disease, and Heliobacter: Friend or Foe?" is the topic of the next Academic Health Center Office of Clinical Research Distinguished Visiting Scholar Series lecture, noon to 1 p.m., April 22, room 105, 717 Delaware St. James Fox, director and professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, will present. Lunch will be provided.
This year's Taste Diversity Event, "Global Fusion" will take place Wednesday, April 23, 4:30-7:30 p.m. in The Whole (Basement of Coffman Memorial Union). Taste Diversity will feature food from all over the world, crafts, talents of faculty and students, fashion, gifts, prizes and an SPH Idol contest. The event is being hosted and planned by student volunteers, the SPH Student Senate and the Office of the Dean. Come with family and friends to enjoy an amazing time with fellow students, faculty, and staff. For more information about the event, contact Thuy Doan at doanx034@umn.edu. To sign up for the Taste Diversity talent show, contact Tran Huynh at huynh0098@umn.edu.
"Mobilizing Communities of Color to Promote Healthy Living and Eating," will be presented from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 24 in the Union Theater at Coffman Union. The keynote speaker is Antronette Yancey of the UCLA School of Public Health. This Health Disparities Work Group Forum is free and open to the public, but registration is requested. For questions call 6-4515.
• Register online/more information
"Challenges of Climate and Land Use and Land Cover Change Modeling at a Regional Scale," will be the topic of discussion at the Institute on the Environment's April environment roundtable discussion. The event will be held from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, April 24 in room 105 of the Cargill Building on the St. Paul Campus. The roundtable is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided.
• Learn more online
CPHEO Announcements
10th Annual MCH Summer Institute on Health Disparities Promoting Health Equity: Family-centered program development and advocacy
• Register online
The National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the Incident Command System (ICS): A Primer for Volunteers
• Access online module
Public Health Emergency Training (PHET) Series Contact Investigation Online Training and Skill Development Guide
• Access online module
Upcoming CPHEO Courses
2008 MERET Tribal Preparedness Conference will be held on Thursday, April 17. Contact Ruth Rasmussen 6-4515 for more information.
Confined Space Entry and Retrieval will be held on Friday, April 18.
• Learn more online
24/40 Hour Emergency Response Training will be held April 21-25.
• Learn more online
Health Disparities Work Group Forum -- Mobilizing Communities of Color to Promote Healthy Living and Eating will be held on Thursday, April 24.
• Learn more online
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Other Events
April 21, 3 to 6 p.m.
The National Center for Food Protection and Defense Open House
April 23, noon to 1 p.m.
"Reducing Cancer-Related Health Disparities among African Americans: A Line of Tobacco Research and Future Directions" will be the topic of Monica Webb's discussion on April 23, room 105, 717 Delaware building. Lunch provided to the first 40 attendees.
April 26, 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Mobilizing and Engaging Communities for Global Health
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Events on the AHC Web Site
Events on the SPH Web Site
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Last modified on Monday Apr 14, 2008