SPH News April 13, 2009
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
Last week Washington Post columnist E.J. Dionne predicted this to be the year for health care reform. He argued that public sentiment, Congressional groundwork, and a deep commitment in the Oval Office are setting the stage for change. “Getting there won't be pretty,” he warned. “But for the first time since the passage of Medicare in the 1960s, the forces favoring action on health-care reform are stronger than the forces of cynicism and obstruction.”
No matter when it happens, health care reform’s true measure will be how well it addresses the health disparities that currently exist. Creating strategies to increase access and quality of care for all Americans is the focus of “Heath Care Reform and Health Equity,” a forum to be held from 8:45 a.m. to 12 p.m., Friday, April 17, in Coffman Memorial Union Theatre.
The keynote lineup promises to be fascinating: U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who recently convened a national summit on health care reform; Jeffery Korsmo, executive director of the Mayo Clinic Health Policy Center; and SPH alumnus Michael Trujillo, health research director for the Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona and former director of the Indian Health Service and Assistant Surgeon General.
View the full speaker list and register for the event
—John R. Finnegan, Jr., Ph.D.
(Top)
Faculty News
Kathleen Thiede Call was selected as the honoree to receive the 2009 University of Minnesota Outstanding Community Service Award—Faculty. This award recognizes her significant contributions to community service and public engagement on behalf of the University.
SPH faculty are invited to the Third Annual Taste Diversity—A Global a-Fair will be held from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15 at the Whole Music Club in Coffman Union. Join SPH students for an evening of activities and ethnic food. There will be array of engaging crafts, demonstrations, and exhibits hosted by SPH students, local restaurants, and businesses. Latin dancing classes, sushi-making sessions, henna painting, slide shows, yoga, and more. Door prizes every 20 minutes.
The Digital Learning Group is offering, “Course Management Systems,” on Thursday, April 23. The seminar will include a brief overview of the two systems available at the U (WebVista and Moodle) some of their basic characteristics and tools; and will show some best practices from current SPH courses. Lunch will be served. The seminar is open to faculty and staff who want to know more about e-Learning. The seminar will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. The location will be announced later.
• Register online
The Minnesota Public Health Association is putting out the call for awards. Nominations are being accepted for four awards including the Albert Justus Chesley Award, the B. Robert Lewis Award, the Harvey G. Rogers Environmental Health Leadership Award, the Paul And Sheila Wellstone Public Health Achievement Award. Please see the MPHA website for detailed guidelines of each award, previous winners and the nomination form. Nominations must be received by May 6. For questions contact Linda Olson Keller olson173@umn.edu or Erica Fishman Erica.Fishman@state.mn.us.
"So You Have an Interdisciplinary Center—What’s Next?" is the topic of a workshop for research center and institute directors. The workshop will explore ways to maintain interdisciplinary centers' and institutes' vitality over their lifespan with a faculty panel including Mary Jo Kane, Steven Ruggles, and Deborah Swackhamer. The session will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. on Monday, April 13, in the Mississippi Room of Coffman Union. Free, but registration is required.
• Registration/more information
(Top)
School News
The Academic Health Center is sponsoring the lecture, "Affordable Healthcare," on Tuesday, April 21. Samir Brahmachari, a professor and director general for the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in New Delhi, India, is the keynote speaker. The CSIR has launched an open source drug discovery (OSDD) initiative to accelerate development of new drugs to treat infectious diseases that plague the developing world. The goal is to provide affordable health care by providing a global, web-based interactive platform. The lecture will be held at 11 a.m. in 3-100 Mayo. For more information contact Mark Paller at 5-3655.
A new interdisciplinary graduate minor, Prevention Science, will be offered in the fall. This new interdisciplinary minor spans six colleges and eleven departments, giving students for the first time the opportunity to pursue a masters or doctoral minor in Prevention Science. Learn more about the program from 10 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 22, in 325 Ed Sciences.
SPH Student Services thanks those who participated in the Admitted Student Reception on March 23. Some of the 76 admitted students (those who are still deciding on a school of public health) have matriculated since the event. Special thanks to the major coordinators, faculty members, alumni, and students who helped make the reception a success.
The 5th Annual HARAMBEE art and performance show, hosted by the Academic Health Center Multicultural Society, will be held April 22, 4:30 p.m. The Food and Art Gallery begins at 6: p.m. Performances Location: Coffman Memorial Union Theatre. Performers are AHC students, staff, and friends from the community For more information contact Tara Gause at gause010@umn.edu.
The Bell Museum and Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) presents an Earth Day free screening of the film, A Sense of Wonder. The film will be screened at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, at the Bell Museum Auditorium. Based on the life of environmentalist Rachel Carson, the documentary-style film examines Carson’s final year of life, during which she battled cancer, an unexpectedly high public profile and backlash from her critics. A panel discussion featuring SPH professor William Toscano and experts from the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy’s Healthy Legacy campaign will follow.
The SPH Student Senate is hosting a school-wide art competition, which is open to students, faculty, and staff. Artwork may be submitted through 5 p.m., Monday April 20, to the SPH Student Services office. Prizes will be awarded to the winner and runner-up in the two following categories: Faculty/Staff artwork and Student artwork. An overall “viewer’s choice” prize will also be given. A related event will be held 2:30-4:30 p.m., Wednesday April 22, in Mayo A301. Refreshments will be served.
The SPH Student Senate volunteer committee wants you to join the fight against cancer by participating in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life beginning Friday, April 17. Last year the SPH relay team raised $5,000. This year’s goal is $7,000. Participate at the event, donate, or both. Donation jars are located in the following areas: Student Services Center (Mayo D305), Dean’s Office (Mayo A3rd floor), WBOB (3rd floor, reception). Please stop by and make a contribution. For more information, contact Erika Vetta at vett0066@umn.edu.
• Join or donate to the SPH Cares about Cures team
(Top)
SPH Events
The Division of Health Policy and Management Work in Progress Seminar Series continues with “Part 3: Econometric Perspective.” Bryan Dowd is the presenter and the discussants will be Michael Oakes, James Neaton, and Melanie Wall. The forum will be held from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15, in D325/327 Mayo—please note the room change. Attendees are encouraged to read the following article before the session: Heckman, James J. "Econometric Causality." International Statistical Review 76(1):1-27 (2008). If you cannot locate the article online, contact Ann Reilly at areilly@umn.edu to request a copy. Light snacks and soft drinks will be provided.
Jolynn Gardner will discuss, “Alcohol abuse among college students,” during the Epidemiology and Community Health Division seminar held from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 15. The seminar will be held in room 364 of WBOB. For questions contact Carol Raichert at 5-1836.
Tales from the Horn: Somalia’s Struggle for Health Care will be held on Sunday, April 19. The conference will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Willey Hall. SPH professors Kathleen Call, Alan Lifson and Joan Patterson are among the featured speakers at the event. Hear about Somali use of the American Health Care System, learn about the impact of war on mental health, and get more information about becoming involved with international health. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased by contacting nasra.gia@gmail.com or by calling 507-202-3935.
• More information online
“The Struggles to Produce the Surgeon General’s 1964 Report and a National Policy on Smoking and Health: Actions (and Inactions) of America’s Federal Health Agency,” is the topic of Jon Harkness’ discussion on Friday, April 24. Harkness, an adjunct assistant professor of the History of Medicine, is the featured speaker during the division seminar sponsored by the Department of Epidemiology and Community Health. The seminar will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. in room 364 WBOB. For questions call Carol Raichert at 5-1836.
(Top)
Student News
Two PHAP students, Ben Braus and Nathan Hunkins, were selected for the competitive 2009 Minnesota Department of Human Services Executive Pathways Internship program. Braus is a first year student and Hunkins will graduate this spring.
EnHS Graduate Student Nicholette Zeliadt presented her research along with other fellowship winners at the Graduate School Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship Research Showcase on April 7. The fellowship, which is given to outstanding final-year Ph.D. students, includes a stipend of $22,000 plus full tuition for thesis credits.
The Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) recently conducted a community engagement meeting with the American Indian community in Minnesota regarding planning for pandemic influenza for at-risk populations. Several SPH students served as note-takers and facilitators for the event, including a large EnHS contingent that included Nick Kelley, Jessica Brown, Katherine Hall, Evan Henke, Jon Tatalovich, and Genelle Lamont. The engagement meeting was held on April 4, at the Grand Casino Mille Lacs in Onamia, Minn.
Congratulations to the winners of the Second Annual SPH Student Research Day, held April 6. The winners are:
Delta Omega Premier Poster Awards:
Tran Huynh - Duck Husbandry Practices and Farmer's Beliefs about Avian Influenza in South Vietnam
John Li - Evaluation of a Statewide Foodborne Illness Compliant System
Student Choice Outstanding Poster Awards
M.P.H.: Kristen Godfrey - Patient Enrollment in Public Health Insurance Programs at the Phillips Neighborhood Clinic: Identifying Barriers and Remedies
M.S.: Alyssa Olson - Estimating the Beneficial Effects of Recalls for Preventing Foodborne Illness
Ph.D.: John Li - Evaluation of a Statewide Foodborne Illness Compliant System
Faculty/Alumni Outstanding Poster Awards
M.P.H.: Akshay Gupte, Mitika Kanabar and Emily Wang - Impulsive Behaviors and their Association with Dopamine Agonistic Medication Use in Parkinson's Disease.
M.S.: Alyssa Olson - Estimating the Beneficial Effects of Recalls for Preventing Foodborne Illness
Ph.D.: Jee-Ae Kim - Medicare Expenditure Among Racial/Ethnic Groups for Elderly medicare Beneficiaries with Diabetes
(Top)
CPHEO News
2009 Ready to Respond Conference: Sharing Minnesota’s Promising Practices
Tuesday, May 5
This conference is designed to improve the emergency preparedness planning and response capabilities of Minnesota’s health professionals. Attendees can expect opportunities to hear about promising practices, successful collaborations from their peers and lessons learned. Attendees will acquire tools and templates to enhance their ability to respond, as well as inspire, motivate and energize Ready to Respond efforts.
Additional information
2009 Summer Public Health Institute
May 26-June 12
This year’s Public Health Institute features 45 courses emphasizing theory to application across practice and interest areas in public health. Participants can build or expand professional knowledge and expertise; learn best practices; broaden career options; network with experts and colleagues; and explore new areas of interests. Courses are available for graduate credit or professional continuing education hours.
More information online
Confined Space Entry and Retrieval
April 17
Additonal Information
2009 Health Disparities Work Group Forum: Health Disparities and Health Equity
April 17
Information and Registration
24-/40-Hour Emergency Response Training
April 20-24
Additional Information
Occupational Hearing Conservation Training (CAOHC Approved)
April 27-29
Additional information
NIOSH Approved Spirometry
April 30-May1
Additional information
8-Hour Site Worker Refresher
Thursday, May 7
Additional information
For Emergencies Only? Successful Respiratory Protection Program Implementation
Thursday, May 7
Additional information
(Top)
Other Events
April 24, 5 to 7:30 p.m.
Documentary Screening of Money-Driven Medicine
For more events, go to the SPH Online Calendar
Subscribe to SPH calendar updates by e-mail
(Top)
Events on the AHC Web Site
Events on the SPH Web Site
(Top)
To sign up to receive SPH News, send your name and e-mail address to SPHNews@umn.edu.
Read past issues of SPH News
Last modified on Sunday Apr 12, 2009