Fall 2011 Newsletter

Greetings From the Department Head

Edith Parker, DrPH Professor and Department Head

These are exciting times for CBH!

As some of you may know, I joined the department as professor and head in fall 2010. Over the past year, our faculty, students, and alumni have continued to impress me with the quality of their work, the depth of their experience, and their dedication to public health.

As a department, we are growing and expanding our reach. I am very pleased to announce that another new faculty member, with expertise in health disparities, Dr. Vanessa Simonds has joined our ranks this fall as an assistant professor.  Dr. Simonds, who is profiled in this edition of our newsletter, completed her doctoral education at the Harvard School of Public Health, and is dedicated to implementing community-based participatory research approaches to develop culturally-centered health interventions in Native American communities

This year's entering class of masters and doctoral students has come to us from incredibly varied backgrounds and with a diverse array of future plans. With their current student colleagues, they push us forward as a department and field.  The pages of this newsletter highlight many of their activities and accomplishments.  In particular, we share the work of CBH doctoral student, Ni (Jenny) Zhang (MPH, 2011), whose dissertation research investigates physical activity communication using social media.  We also feature a story on CBH MPH student (and CBH student association president), Rebecca Dove, who completed a practicum, in Hawaii, on the prevelance of type 2 diabetes preventative treatments available to both ante-and post-partum women. 

Our outstanding alumni continue to influence the public health and wellness of communities worldwide—whether through designing community-based programs, conducting groundbreaking research, or implementing health policy. You move us closer toward the goal of healthy communities everywhere.  We are very proud of your achievements.  We received a banner response to our call for updates from you this year.  Please keep the news of your activities and accomplishments coming.  We enjoy hearing from you regularly.

Finally, we are eager to move into our new state-of-the art—and LEED certified—College of Public Health building. This new building will provide our department, and the College of Public Health, with a real "home" for the very first time.  We will start spring semester ('12) in our new facility. 

It was a delight to mingle with so many of you this fall.  Please take a moment to view pictures from the innaugaral College of Public Health "All-Alumni" reunion and the CBH Alumni Reception, both held in conjunction with UI Homecoming 2011, as well as  the CPH reception at APHA.  

There is so much that distinguishes this great University and the CBH Department.  As we continue to grow, I eagerly anticipate continuing to work with you on the public health issues that matter to us most.  

- Edith Parker, DrPH, Professor and Department Head