SPH News Sept. 2, 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
Welcome to the beginning of academic year 2008-09 at the SPH! I offer a special welcome to the more than 300 new graduate and professional students joining the SPH this year from the US and around the world. May the time you spend here lead to a long and successful life of learning and contributions to improving the world’s health.
Every year is challenging for public health. This year, however, there’s a twist. The US Presidential election in November will shape this nation’s role in public health during the next four years at least. Those joining us from other nations will have a front row seat for this spectacle, almost literally. The Republican National Convention is under way in St. Paul on the heels of the Democratic National Convention that just ended in Denver. It will be chaotic, intense, media "show biz,"and at times, downright weird. But it’s how we do Presidential elections in quintessentially American fashion. Beneath the spectacle, it’s serious stuff: we will choose new leadership to set the tone and direction in addressing the daunting issues we face as a nation and world, public health included.
What promises from the major candidates? Many, as it turns out. You can read about their positions on their respective web sites. But let’s take one issue. What should the United State’s role be in global health? This question was asked of both Senators McCain and Obama by Research!America, a non-profit that lobbies for US government funding for health research. Below is a direct quote from each candidate. Here’s a twist: /guess which quote belongs to which candidate? /
The U.S. Role in Global Health
"I believe that because what happens in countries around the world ‐‐ from the resurgent Al Qaeda presence in Afghanistan and Pakistan to the spread of avian flu in Asia and elsewhere – can adversely impact U.S. national security, it is very important for the U.S. to commit to strengthening the pillars of just and effective governments in these countries. I believe America’s security is strengthened when we strengthen those weak states that are at risk of collapse, economic meltdown or public health crises. As president, I will double U.S. foreign aid assistance by 2012, and ensure that we work with other nations to improve international public health."
"By continuing to build on our role as a global leader in helping provide medical care and public health interventions in areas of need, we will contribute to a more peaceful and stable world and foster a more positive view of the United States while safeguarding our nation’s health and strengthening our national security. We need to have a stronger focus on disease prevention and wellness through increased co-operation, improved global disease surveillance, better nutrition and medical care around the world."
Made your choice? To check your answer, search this website: www.yourcandidatesyourhealth.org
Good luck, and take note that each candidate in his own language links global public health to the future of US and world security.
—John R. Finnegan, Jr., Ph.D.
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Media News
August 2008 media coverage featured the following SPH faculty, staff, and students:
Lynn Blewett
Michael Davern
Roger Feldman
Wendy Hellerstedt
David Jacobs
Robert Jeffery
Toben Nelson
Michael Osterholm
Deborah Swackhamer
Traci Toomey
Coverage was featured in local media as well as in the Washington Post, San Francisco Chronicle, Chicago Tribune, the Los Angeles Times, the Detroit Free Press, the Wall Street Journal, National Public Radio, Science Centric, Sciencedaily.com, the Dallas Morning News, and CBS’ The Early Show.
Subscribe to the Public Health Scene blog to get regular e-mail updates on SPH faculty in the news.
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Faculty News
Michael Davern and Michel Boudreaux were elected to the Advisory Board of the Minnesota Population Center (MPC). The Minnesota Population Center (MPC) is a University-wide interdisciplinary cooperative for demographic research.
Wendy Hellerstedt has co-authored an article on teaching in schools of public health in the recent edition of Public Health Reports. The article is “Teaching Excellence in Public Health: A Call for Action."
• View it online
Dianne Neumark-Sztainer has been selected to receive the U of M Outstanding Faculty Mentor of Postdoctoral Scholars Award. The award recognizes extraordinary performance and achievement in mentoring at the U of M by providing leadership and advocacy to assist the postdoctoral scholar in accomplishing significant intellectual and leadership goals in the scholar’s field of expertise. She will be recognized at the annual Postdoctoral Welcome Reception on Wednesday, Oct 1.
Deborah Swackhamer was appointed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty to the Green Jobs Task Force. The task force was created by the 2008 Legislature to develop a statewide action plan to optimize the growth of the green economy.
Debra Olson, Mary Hoeppner and Amy Scheller received the MERLOT (Multimedia Educational Resource for Learning and Online Teaching) Award for Exemplary Online Learning Resources for their work on “Outbreak at Watersedge.”
The SPH Faculty Vote Meeting for Appointment Continuations will be held on Monday, Sept. 8 from 1 to 3 p.m. in 3-125 Mayo. The meeting, for associate and tenured professors, will include a review, discussion, and vote for faculty appointment continuations. Absentee ballots are available in A307 Mayo and cube 305C at WBOB for EpiCH faculty.
Will Hueston provides an update on the Global Initiative for Food Systems Leadership (Global Initiative) via a quarterly e-newsletter, One to One. "The launch of the Global Initiative was auspicious, coming at a time of unprecedented attention to the global food systems: price increases threatening food security crises in 30 or more countries; food systems issues headlining trade agendas; and foodborne illness investigations expanding across multiple political boundaries," he writes. He added that fundraising efforts exceeed $5 million.
• View the One to One e-newsletter
Faculty who need a refresher session on SPH education policies should plan to meet with SPH student services staff, program coordinators, and EPC representatives for policies, procedures, and pizza on one of the following dates: Tuesday, Sept. 9 at noon or Thursday, Oct. 9 at noon. Both sessions will be held in A301 Mayo. For more information contact Mary Ellen Nerney at nerne002@umn.edu
The Institute for Advanced Study will offer two faculty seminars connected with the University Symposium on Body and Knowing. The first of these seminars, "Beyond the Eye: Toward an understanding of non-visual theories and methodologies," will be offered in spring 2009. It will meet every other Tuesday at 2:30-5 p.m., starting Jan. 27. Participation will be limited to about 10 people and participation by graduate students at the dissertation stage may be considered as well. Those who would like to participate should e-mail Michael Gaudio gaudio@umn.edu and Juliette Cherbuliez cherbuli@umn.edu with a brief statement of interest and a paragraph about their research or reading that they have done which is relevant to the topic. Please send this statement by Monday, Sept. 15.
Call for Abstracts for the Thirteenth Annual Minnesota Health Services Research Conference. Abstracts must be received by Monday, Nov. 3. Abstract writers will be notified of acceptance by Dec. 1. The purpose of the event is to bring together Minnesota’s health services research community for a day of scholarly presentations and discussions. The conference will be held on Tuesday, March 3.
• Download the Call for Abstracts brochure (PDF)
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School News
Dean John Finnegan has named Ira Moscovice as the new head of the Division of Health Policy and Management, effective immediately. Moscovice was also named the school’s newest Mayo Professor of Public Health. "I am confident in his commitment to shaping the future of the Division and the School, and I am deeply grateful for his willingness to provide leadership in this new role," Finnegan said. Moscovice will also serve as a member of the SPH Executive Team composed of division heads, associate and assistant deans.
August 23 marked one year since the passing of our dear friend and colleague Judy Peterson. Many in the SPH are remembering her at this time. We miss her terribly, and her lasting impact on our school is continually apparent. The school is still working to memorialize her by endowing a new scholarship in her name. If you would like to make a gift, please visit the Minnesota Medical Foundation website.
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SPH Events & Courses
Wei He, a master's candidate in Biostatistics will discuss “Longitudinal Analysis of the Association between Childhood and Adolescence Violence Victimization and Menstrual Cycle Length During the Late Premenopausal Years,” on Wednesday, Sept. 3. He’s Plan B Presentation will be held at 2:30 p.m. in A434 Mayo. Refreshments will be served prior to the presentation. For more information contact Megan Schlick at 5-5451.
Attend the AHC Multicultural Society’s annual welcome social Sept. 3, 4 to 6 p.m., in the CHIP Lounge, 1-425 Moos Tower. Ethnic food and beverages will be provided. The mission of the AHC Multicultural Society is to bring together students, professionals, and faculty within the AHC who value the importance of multiculturalism and diversity at the University of Minnesota. Questions? Contact Lan Luu at Luux0020@umn.edu or Thuy Doan at doanx034@umn.edu.
For more events, go to the SPH Online Calendar
CPHEO Announcements
Upcoming Courses
8-Hour Emergency Response Refresher
Oct. 7
Dec. 4
• View course description
8-Hour Site Worker Refresher
Sept. 9
• View course description
24- and 40-Hour Site Worker Training
Sept. 15-19
• View course description
Evacuation Train the Trainer
Sept. 25
• View course description
Occupational Hearing Conservation Recertification
Sept. 25
• View course description
Occupational Hearing Conservation Training
Sept. 29-Oct. 1. For more information see:
• View course description
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Other Events
Sept. 26, 7 to 9 a.m.
The Connection Between Food and Health will be the topic of this “Public Health Matters” breakfast forum. Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Sanne Magnan and Minnesota Department of Agriculture Eugene Hugoson will discuss critical issues about food and its impact on the public’s health. The event will be held at the Neighborhood House in St. Paul.
Oct. 3, 7:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Ethics and Health Care Reform: Where is the Justice?
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Events on the AHC Web Site
Events on the SPH Web Site
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Last modified on Friday Aug 29, 2008