SPH News April 28, 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
The School of Public Health is fortunate to enjoy a positive public profile, thanks in large part to the groundbreaking research to improve health done by our faculty. Sometimes though, as we have seen in recent days, the news coming out of the School of Public Health is not so favorable. During those times, we do what we can to restore credibility and our good name, and get back on solid footing.
Two pieces of good news in recent days will help in that process:
First, as many of you know on April 10 the University of Minnesota announced receipt of its largest gift ever -- $65 million from Minnesota Masonic Charities to the University of Minnesota Cancer Center. Nearly one-third of the members of the Caner Center are School of Public Health faculty members, so we stand to benefit from this gift in very real ways. That money will seed research that we hope will lead to important large-scale NIH grants, the kind that meaningfully advance knowledge in terms of cancer prevention, treatment, and cures.
And last week the bill to fund research into the health of workers in Minnesota's iron mines cleared its final hurdles, passing the Senate unanimously and the House by a vote of 121-1. SPH researchers, working closely with colleagues from the Minnesota Department of Health, and in concert with numerous partners on the Iron Range, will undertake a five-year study into the occupational health risks of taconite workers. My thanks to the team of researchers from the SPH, the Medical School, and the UMD-based Natural Resources Research Institute for their great work putting together a comprehensive research proposal and helping shepherd it through the winding political process.
--John R. Finnegan, Jr., Ph.D.
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Faculty News
Michael Davern has been awarded the 2008 John D. Thompson Prize for Young Investigators from the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPA). The award was established to honor John D. Thompson, a professor of health administration education, who set a standard of excellence in teaching, commitment to learning, collegial relationships, and health services research. The prize recognizes young investigators based on their contributions to the research literature in the field of health services.
State Health Access Reform Evaluation (SHARE) announces $5 million in grant funding awarded to 15 applicants. The grants will support research to evaluate health care access reforms enacted at the state level. The research represents a wide variety of reform activities across the nation and will help SHARE develop an evidence-based resource to inform future state health reform efforts. SHARE, a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation National Program Office, is directed by SPH professor Lynn Blewett.
• Learn more online
All student rating forms will be distributed in hard-copy format only during spring semester, as the University transitions to the faculty-senate approved Student Rating of Teaching Questions. The end-of-semester online evaluations that have already been set up will not be available to students. Please contact your department administrator to obtain the new paper SRT forms instead. Classes that are delivered online will still be allowed to use online evaluations. For questions contact Billie Wahlstrom, billie@umn.edu.
Fulfill the Requirement for Responsible Conduct of Research Training on Monday, May 19, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., in Moos 2-620. The Division of Biostatistics is sponsoring a presentation on the SMART Trial on HIV/AIDS treatment. The trial was terminated early because there was strong evidence of better outcomes in one of the two treatment groups. Study statisticians Jacqueline Neuhaus and Birgund Grund will discuss the circumstances leading up to the decision point. This will be followed by a general discussion of the ethical, scientific, and medical issues related to design and early termination of a large clinical trial. This presentation and discussion are intended to satisfy the requirements for recurring training in the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR), required of University personnel who may be principal investigators or co-principal investigators of sponsored projects involving research in humans. Faculty from all SPH divisions are invited to attend.
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School News
Learn more about sustainability efforts on campus at a forum on Monday, April 28. The forum will be held from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in the Mississippi Room in Coffman Union. U vice president Kathleen O'Brien and Institute on the Environment interim director and SPH professor Deborah Swackhamer will co-host the forum along with the Minnesota Public Interest Research Group. Attendees will have an opportunity to share ideas and priorities for campus sustainability. The forum, part of student Actifest week events, will also inform the work of the committee charged by President Bruininks, and co-chaired by O'Brien and Swackhamer, to develop sustainability goals and outcomes for the U.
The deadline is approaching to complete the UPlan Wellness Assessment for the 2008 calendar year. UPlan members must complete the assessment by April 30 in order to receive a $65 UPlan Wellness Reward.
The annual SPH Years of Service Recognition Event will be held Thursday, May 15. This event honors and recognizes Civil Service and Bargaining Unit staff. All SPH faculty and staff are encouraged to attend. It will be held at the Radisson Metrodome from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
The annual SPH Faculty and Assembly Meeting will be held 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. The meeting goes from 9:15 to 10:45 a.m.
Save the date: The Minnesota Public Health Association's reception and annual meeting will be June 5. The reception will be from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and the annual meeting is from 6:45 to 8 p.m. The gathering will be held at the Humphrey Center. More information to come.
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SPH Events
"Interval Estimation of Ratios of Parameters," will be presented by biostatistics professor Chap Le at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 30, in 5-125 Mayo. A social tea will be held at 3 p.m. in A434 Mayo. All are welcome.
• Learn more online or call 4-4655
Rachel Isaksson will discuss, "Simulation to Estimate Sample Size for the Strategic Timing of Anti-Retroviral Treatment (START) Trial" during her Plan B presentation at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, May 2, in the CCBR Ballroom. Refreshments will be served prior to the presentation.
Join the Art of Living Foundation and the SPH at the "Pre-Exam Relaxation Session" where new techniques will be discovered to harmonize the body, mind and spirit from the stress of exams, school, and work. Everyone is invited to relax at this free event which will be held from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 7, in the SPHere A-150 Mayo. Fruit and beverages will be provided. For questions contact Thuy Doan at doanx034@umn.edu
CPHEO Announcements
10th Annual MCH Summer Institute on Health Disparities Promoting Health Equity: Family-centered program development and advocacy
• Register online
It's Not Over: Innovative Approaches to the Global AIDS Epidemic Monday, April 28.
• More information
NORA Symposium: Impact of the EU REACH Initiative on the United States Monday, May 5.
• Read more and register
Ready to Respond: Collaborations in Health Preparedness Minnesota Department of Health Conference, May 6-7.
• Read more and register
Ethics in the Worst of Times: Rationing to Protect the Public's Health during a Severe Influenza Pandemic, Thursday June 5.
• More information
Public Health Emergency Training (PHET) Series Special Populations Online Training and Skill Development Guide
• Read more and access the guide and module
Upcoming CPHEO Courses
8-Hour Site Worker Refresher, Tuesday, May 6.
• Course description
24/40-Hour Site Worker Training, May 12-16.
• Course description
8-Hour Emergency Response Refresher, Tuesday, May 20.
• Course description
Summer Public Health Institute, May 27-June 13.
• More information and registration
8-Hour Emergency Response Refresher, Thursday, June 5.
• Course description
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Other Events
MAY 6, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Biofuels Production and the Environment
May 6, 12 to 1 p.m.
Open house: AHC Office of Clinical Research, room 202, 717 Delaware St. S.E.
May 7, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Our Bodies Ourselves: Pregnancy and Birth
May 8
Prevention Minnesota Conference
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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 28, 2008