2004
Prof. Michael Yudell presents book at American Museum of Natural History
December 2004
Asst. Professor Michael Yudell, M.P.H., M.Phil, Dept. of Community Health and Prevention, presented his new book, Welcome to the Genome: A User's Guide to the Genetic Past, Present, and Future, at a special reception at the American Museum of Natural History on December 16, with co-author Rob DeSalle, Ph.D. More information about the book, the authors and the event is in this press release.
Drexel and Human Rights Day
December 2004
December 10th is International Human Rights Day, as designated by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. December 10 marks the day that the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. The School of Public Health invites you to acknowledge the importance and urgency of human rights and their connection to public health. This includes attention to such global issues as: ethnic and gender discrimination, torture, lack of access to health care and basic means of sustenance (food, water and shelter), violent conflict affecting civilian populations, and lack of education.
Drexel and World AIDS Day
December 2004
December 1st is World AIDS Day. Observances in the Drexel community include a noon discussion about AIDS and sexual health in Behrakis Grand Hall, inside the Creese Student Center (32nd and Chestnut Streets), led by Planned Parenthood. Following the discussion will be a display of related student posters from 1 - 6 PM in the Creese Student Center lobby.
SPH at APHA
November 2004
Faculty, students and alumni of the School of Public Health presented recent research and fieldwork results at the 2004 annual meeting of the American Public Health Association in Washington, DC, Nov. 6-10.
Prof. Chilton Op-Ed in Philadelphia Daily News
November 2004
Asst. Professor Mariana Chilton co-authored (with Dr. Angelo Giardino, M.D., Ph.D., of the Drexel College of Medicine) "Who's Looking Out for the Little Ones?" for the Op-Ed page of the Philadelphia Daily News on November 2nd.
Environmental Justice Conference
October 2004
Drexel School of Public Health co-sponsored a conference on “Environmental Justice: Politics, History and Health” on October 20. Panels were chaired by Prof. Arthur Frank (Dept. of Environmental and Occupational Health) and Prof. Lisa Ulmer with Asst. Prof. Michael Yudell (both of Dept. of Community Health and Prevention). Guest speakers included Gerald Markowitz, Lois Marie Gibbs, Richard Hofrichter, as well as Dean Marla Gold. SPH's co-sponsors within Drexel University were the Drexel Environmental Faculty Committee, the Dept. of Culture and Communication and the College of Arts and Sciences.
More coverage in the ASPH Friday Letter.
SPH at PPHA
October 2004
Several members of the SPH community gave presentations at the 2004 annual meeting of the Pennsylvania Public Health Association here in Philadelphia, Oct. 12-15. These included: Prof. David Fisman, "Economic Evaluation of a City-wide School-Based Screening Program for Chlamydia Trachomatis" as well as a workshop on "Sexually Transmitted Diseases in the Age of the Internet"; Prof. Mariana Chilton (with Kennen Gross '01 and Jennifer Breaux '04) "Pockets of Poverty: A Closer Look at Philadelphia's Disparities in Access to Nutritious Foods"; and Jennifer Breaux '04: "A Program and Resource Assessment of Obesity and Weight Management Programs in Hospitals Located in Southeastern Pennsylvania."
Drexel SPH and CDC Update on Flu Vaccine Shortage
October 2004
The Drexel School of Public Health joins the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in urging the public to cooperate with the CDC's latest recommendations for making best use of the presently limited supplies of influenza vaccine this season. People in priority categories should be vaccinated as soon as the vaccine is available in their community. People not in those priority categories should not presently seek vaccination.
For more information, please visit the CDC's "2004-05 Flu Vaccine Shortage" page, as well as this article in the current issue of the ASPH Friday Letter addressing the situation. Please check frequently for updates.
Dean Marla Gold addressed the vaccine shortage on "Radio Times with Marty Moss-Coane," WHYY-FM, 91 FM, on October 21.
2004 Welcoming Ceremony
September 2004
The Drexel School of Public Health honored its newly-enrolled students at its annual Welcoming ceremony and reception on September 23, 2004, in the historic rooms of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia.
Students Map Public Health Timeline
September 2004
Members of our MPH Class of 2006 created this colorful timeline of historical moments in Public Health.
Recent SPH Alum Featured in Philadelphia News
September 2004
Greg Kim '04, was profiled in the Philadelphia Inquirer on September 12, for his part in helping open a dental clinic in North Philadelphia.
Prof. Mariana Chilton Receives $1.2 Mil Nutrition Grant
September 2004
Assistant Professor Mariana Chilton, Ph.D., M.P.H., Dept. of Community Health and Prevention, received a $1.2 million grant from the Claneil Foundation to be Principal Investigator (PI) of The Philadelphia GROW Project, a nutrition and growth initiative clinic for children and their families. The clinic will be housed at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, and lead by Prof. Chilton's co-PI, Dr. Angelo Giardino, M.D., Ph.D., of the Drexel College of Medicine. Prof. Chilton will lead the research arm of the project, addressing poor nutrition in children and assisting families in achieving optimal health in order to stop the cycle of poverty and poor nutritional development. The project is part of the Children's Sentinel Nutrition Assessment Program (C-SNAP), a national research and advocacy effort.
SPH BBQ Pics Online
September 2004
The SPH annual barbeque brought new faces and returning friends back to school.
Prof. Michael Yudell Co-Authors Genome Guide
August 2004
Assistant Professor Michael Yudell, Dept. of Community Health and Prevention, has co-authored a second book on genetic research with Rob DeSalle, Welcome to the Genome: A User's Guide to the Genetic Past, Present, and Future, to be published in September. The two authors previously collaborated in 2002 on The Genomic Revolution: Unveiling the Unity of Life.
SPH Alumnae at Minority Women's Health Summit
August 2004
Felicia Washington, MPH '04, presented her Master's project, "Strategies to Implement a National Breastfeeding Awareness Campaign at the Local Level," at the 2004 Minority Women's Health Summit in Washington, DC on August 13. Candace Robertson, MPH '02, presented "Evolving, Involving and Connecting with Minority Women to Eliminate Disparities" on the same day
SPH Granted Full Membership Status by the Association of Schools of Public Health
July 2004
From the pages of the ASPH Friday Letter:
"Yesterday, at their annual deans’ retreat, the ASPH membership voted to extend full, active member status to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Public Health (COPH) and Drexel University School of Public Health. The decision by the deans follows action by CEPH in which Arkansas and Drexel were pre-accredited. The CEPH statements and formal membership requests from each school’s dean were provided as background documents to the deans for their consideration in reviewing the two requests....
"The mission of the Drexel University School of Public Health, located in Philadelphia, PA, is to 'promote the health of communities through an integrated program of education, research, service and practice.' The SPH is committed to identifying societal conditions required for people to be healthy, and to advancing practices that improve the health of vulnerable populations. A unique feature of the school is its interdisciplinary program and a curriculum grounded in an inquiry-driven, Problem-Based Learning (PBL) model that integrates the five core disciplines of public health.
"Welcome Dean Raczynski (UAMS) and Dean Gold (Drexel)!"
SPH Alumnus featured in Philadelphia Inquirer
July 2004
Class of 2002 alumnus Candace J. Robertson was featured in the Philadelphia Inquirer's special-section coverage of the 95th Annual Convention of the NAACP, occurring July 10-15 in Philadelphia. Ms. Robertson is Research Manager at Drexel University's Institute for Women's Health and Leadership.
SPH Professor Honored at Drexel Faculty Dinner
June 2004
Assoc. Professor William Hickey was one of six Drexel University retiring faculty members honored at the 2004 Faculty Recognition Dinner and Awards Ceremony on June 3. Professor Lisa Ulmer received the Teaching Excellence Award.
SPH Commencement
May 2004
The School of Public Health graduated its Class of 2004 during Commencement ceremonies on Friday, May 21, at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. Among the graduates were 11 members of the School's first Executive Program class. Harry Aponte, clinical associate professor in the College of Nursing and Health Professions' couple and family therapy program and an acclaimed family therapist, received a Doctor of Humane Letter, honoris causa.
SPH Awards Dinner
May 2004
Photos from the School's May 19 Poster Presentation and Awards Dinner are now online.
SPH Student Profiled in South Philly Review
May 2004
Stephanie Grier '04 is profiled in the May 20 issue of the South Philly Review for her survey work, with the Congreso de Latinos Unidos, within the Mexican-immigrant community of South Philadelphia.
SPH Student has a Winning "Meatless" Proposal
May 2004
Student Lynette Hammond (Executive MPH program) had her proposal (below) accepted for funding by the "Meatless Monday" campaign:
Effectiveness of Meatless Monday social activities upon reducing consumption of saturated fats among college students
The proposed research investigates the impact of two Meatless Monday interventions (information alone and information plus activities) on consumption of saturated fats among college students in the Greater Philadelphia area
Abstract: Young adults consume a poor diet which may carry on into the rest of their lives and increase their risk for developing chronic diseases such as coronary heart disease, cancer diabetes and stroke. Reducing the amount of saturated fats in one’s diet is directly related to a reduction of chronic disease risk. This program will employ a hybrid study design incorporating elements of Social Learning Theory and the Trans-theoretical Model. Our study groups will consist of 18-24 year olds currently enrolled in colleges or universities in the Greater Philadelphia region. The study subjects will be randomly assigned to one of three groups (Control, Info Only, and Info & Activities). All groups will be surveyed using the National Cancer Institute’s Dietary History Questionnaire (NCI DHQ) at the beginning and end of the study. The Info Only group will be provided with Meatless Monday pamphlets and handouts. The Info & Activities group will be provided with the Meatless Monday pamphlets and handout in addition to attending six Meatless Monday social activities. The results from the NCI DHQ of the three groups will be translated to dietary saturated fats percentages using the Diet*Calc software and then compared using SPSS. The intended outcome is believed to be that the Info & Activities group will demonstrate the greatest reduction in the amount of saturated fats consumed. The program will incorporate three levels of evaluation: implementation, process and outcome.
Four SPH Students are Winners on Drexel Research Day
May 2004
Four members of our Class of '04 received top honors for their posters at Drexel's 2004 Research Day, held May 4th:
Jennifer Breaux, Winner, Graduate Student in the Humanities: "A Program and Resource Assessment of Obesity and/or Weight Management Programs in Southeastern Pennsylvania" Preceptor: Adj. Asst. Professor Nancy Epstein, MPH, Drexel School of Public Health
(l-r: Jennifer Breux '04, Professor Nathalie A. Bartle)
Maria Gebey, Honorable Mention, Graduate Student in Advances in Clinical Practice: "Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis C (HCV) prevalence in an Asian Community in Philadelphia" Preceptors: Prof. Jana Mossey, PhD, MPH, MSN, Drexel School of Public Health; Adj. Asst. Prof. Alison Evans, ScD, Drexel School of Public Health, Fox Chase Cancer Center
Thanh Tran, Honorable Mention, Graduate Student in Advances in Clinical Practice: "Impact of Self-Rated Health on Pain and Physical Function in a Semi-Rural Clinic Population with a Low Back Pain (LBP) Diagnosis" Preceptors: Prof. Jana Mossey, PhD, MPH, MSN, Drexel School of Public Health; Adj. Prof. Rollin M. Gallagher, MD, MPH, Drexel School of Public Health; Lamar Moree, MD, Phoebe Putney Pain Clinic
Felicia Washington, Honorable Mention, Graduate Student in Innovation in Education and Outreach Advances in Clinical Practice: "Strategies to Implement a National Breastfeeding Awareness Campaign at the Local Level" Preceptor: Prof. Nathalie Bartle, EdD, Drexel School of Public Health; Lila Slovak, Maternity Care Coalition
(l-r: Professor Nathalie A. Bartle, Felicia Washington '04)
On the evening of the same day, Felicia Washington was named the winner in the College of Physicians of Philadelphia's display of public health posters, co-sponsored by the Pennsylvania Public Health Association and the New Jersey Public Health Association.
(l-r: Jennifer Breaux, Prof. Mariana Chilton holding Gabriela Gamberg, Felicia Washington, Mary Leah Albano, Benjamen Jones)
A list of all Drexel Research Day winners and honorable mentions is online.
SPH Student a "Philly Hero"
April 2004
We're proud to note that Christina W. Cheung '04 was featured in the Philly Hero column of the Philadelphia Daily News on April 30, for her volunteer work at the Chinatown Clinic.
WHYY previews "Raising our Voice"
April 2004
Prof. Nancy Epstein recommends this May 5 preview screening of Raising Our Voice, "a unique program focusing on the theme of resiliency and hope in the face of domestic abuse," to be held at the WHYY Technology Center, 150 N. 6th Street, in Philadelphia. You may register at the station's website. The program will air for the public on May 23 at 1:30 p.m.
Grant Awarded for Preterm Prevention Project
April 2004
The School of Public Health, as part of a collaborative of local health schools and organizations including the Drexel College of Medicine, received a $4.9 million grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the Philadelphia Collaborative Preterm Prevention Project. The goal of this project is the improvement of pregnancy outcomes for disadvantaged and minority women by better understanding the biological factors that contribute to preterm births. SPH faculty involved in the project are Dean Marla Gold, M.D. and Professor Lisa Ulmer.
National Public Health Week
April 2004
April 5-11 was National Public Health Week, when communities throughout the US addressed issues bearing on health disparities. The American Public Health Association sponsored and highlighted many of these projects; here is one of ours.
SPH Grand Rounds Lecture in the News
March 2004
The Philadelphia Inquirer featured Dr. Kristine Gebbie's March 25 lecture, "Seen Any Public Health Lately?", in an extensive article in its Health & Science section on March 29. Further information is available through Dateline Drexel.
School of Public Health Now Offering Online Certificate
March 2004
The Drexel University School of Public Health, in partnership with Drexel eLearning, now offers an online certificate course in Epidemiology and Biostatistics. This certificate (9 credits in a total of 3 courses) offers research-oriented training for public health professionals from diverse backgrounds, such as policymakers, physicians, nurses, clinical research professionals, and/or health educators. Credit towards a Master's degree in Public Health may be granted upon evaluation of a student's credentials on an individual basis. The program is currently cited by the APHA as part of its Continuing Education news.
Dean Gold and AAHIVM Core Curriculum
March 2004
Dean Marla J. Gold, MD, contributed to the development of the American Academy of HIV Medicine (AAHIVM) 2004 Core Curriculum Learning Objectives and the HIV Medicine Self-Directed Study Guide-2004 update. The academy provides materials in healthcare education and training aimed at improving the quality of care for HIV/AIDS patients. The Core Curriculum Learning Objectives brochure is available for download in PDF format. The Study Guide will be released in the spring of 2004.
SPH Alumnus in the News
February 2004
Tavanya Giles, '01, Community Education Specialist for Drexel University, was featured in the February 11 issue of The Philadelphia Metro for her work on a variety of anti-smoking programs for women.
Martin Luther King Day Observance
January 2004
A number of SPH students commemorated the Martin Luther King holiday on January 19th by attending the 22nd Annual Benefits Luncheon of the Philadelphia Martin Luther King, Jr., Association for Nonviolence.
Prof. Fisman Addresses Chlamydia Epidemic
January 2004
Dr. David Fisman, Asst. Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, was prominently quoted in a Philadelphia City Paper cover story (Jan. 22-28) about the rapidly growing infection rates for chlamydia both nationally and within the Philadelphia region.
2003
Dean Gold Honored at 2003 Mazzoni Award Gala
December 2003
Dean Marla J. Gold was recognized for her work on behalf of Philadelphia's poor and underinsured HIV+ and AIDS victims at the 8th Annual Mazzoni Awards dinner, held at the Franklin Institute's Fels Planetarium on Saturday, December 6, 2003.
Other 2003 award recipients were Drs. Ian Frank and Jay Kostman of The University of Pennsylvania Health System, Dr. Nicholas Ifft of Philadelphia Fight, Dr. Helena Kwakwa of Mercy Health System, Dr. James Shepard of the Philadelphia Department of Health and Dr. Ellen Tedaldi of Temple University Health System.
The Mazzoni Center, formerly Philadelphia Community Health Alternatives, provides comprehensive HIV case management services, and advocates for better health choices for Philadelphia's gay community.
2003 APHA Conference
November 2003
The 131st annual meeting and exposition of the American Public Health Association occurs November 15-19 in San Francisco's Moscone Convention Center. Please stop by our booth (#146) and say hello to our visiting faculty and staff.
Dean Gold on WHYY-FM
October 2003
Marla J. Gold, M.D., Dean of the School of Public Health, was interviewed on WHYY-FM by Brenda Jarrett concerning influenza immunization and a recent state-wide survey on prevention research. The program aired on October 28th. Dean Gold also released data from the prevention research study at the annual Pennsylvania Public Health Association meeting earlier in October.
Pennsylvania Speaks Out
October 2003
Drexel University School of Public Health, the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health and Research!America conducted a statewide public opinion poll to assess Pennsylvanians’ awareness of and support for prevention research. A 15-minute telephone survey was administered in 800 randomly selected households in the Commonwealth. Survey questions covered (1) the meaning and importance of prevention; (2) funding and policy priorities; (3) messages and initiatives for increased support; and (4) support for specific prevention programs. The results of the poll were released at the Pennsylvania Public Health Association Annual Meeting on October 16th in Harrisburg, PA. See what Pennsylvanians had to say about prevention research. The original PowerPoint presentation is available here as a downloaded file.
ASPH President Visits School
October 2003
We were honored to host Dr. Harrison Spencer, MD, MPH, and President and CEO of the Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH) during his visit to our school on October 8th. Dr. Spencer talked with faculty, students and alumni, as well as Drexel Provost and Sr. Vice-President Harvill C. Eaton, in a series of meetings on the Center City Hahnemann campus. Our thanks to Dr. Spencer for his presence at our school, and to everyone who made his visit such a success.
Prof. Fisman Addresses Toronto SARS Outbreak
August 2003
Professor David Fisman addressed the Delaware Valley Regional Bioterrorism Preparedness Working Group this month at the Center City Hahnemann Campus. Dr. Fisman’s presentation, “SARS in Toronto: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly,” recounted his personal experiences and observations while treating the SARS epidemic in Canada in the spring of 2003, as an attending physician in the Social and Public Health Services Department in Hamilton, Ontario.
2003 Commencement now Online
July 2003
The entire May 15 Commencement ceremonies honoring the SPH Class of 2003 (as well as the College of Nursing and Health Professions) are now viewable online in streaming video via Drexel University’s Webcast archives. You will require a T1/LAN connection to view the file.
Drexel and the SARS Alert
April 2003
Drexel University responded quickly as cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) first began to appear in the United States and Philadelphia. In related efforts, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health issued this health advisory. For current national information and updates, you may access the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Dental Health in Philadelphia
March 2003
Nancy Epstein, Adjunct Assistant Professor at the School of Public Health, has just published Aching Teeth and Vanishing Dreams: The Dental Problems of Philadelphia's At-Risk Children and Youth, a needs assessment and blueprint for action intended "to gather and summarize available data regarding the problems of oral health status and access to dental care for Philadelphia's at-risk children and youth; [and t]o provide a general vision and planning document for a citywide effort to address these problems." Print copies may be downloaded from this site, or requested free of charge from the school. Publication of Aching Teeth and Vanishing Dreams was featured in a Morning Edition report on WHYY-FM on Monday, March 10th.
2002
Multi-cultural Dinner
December 2002
December 13th saw our faculty and students celebrating the season together at our annual multi-cultural potluck dinner in the Old City neighborhood of Philadelphia. You guessed it: photos of the evening are available.
Alumni Party
November 2002
The APHA Conference gave us a great opportunity to welcome alumni and friends of our school who were in Philadelphia at the time. We have pictures from the big party we threw at the Paul Peck Alumni Center on 32nd Street.
2002 APHA Conference
occurred right here in Philadelphia on November 9-13, 2002. Thanks to everyone who stopped by our booth (#1706) on the floor of the
