Celebration of Scholarly Works

The CHSPH Celebration of Scholarly Works took place at the SIERR building in Spokane on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. Research posters and scholarly works were on display, where faculty, students and guests had the opportunity to visit and view scholarly works from Communication Sciences and Disorders, Dental Hygiene, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Public Health. The event was a great success that provided exciting opportunities for EWU authors, students and guests to share and learn about research and community projects produced from CHSPH.

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Department of Physical Therapy Chair Filmed on Popular Public TV Show

Dr. Kimberly Cleary, chair of the Department of Physical Therapy, served as a physical therapy guest expert on the Sit & Be Fit show. For its more than 37 years on Public Television, Sit & Be Fit, a non-profit organization, has been committed to encouraging healthy aging and improved quality of life for its audience. Dr. Cleary participated in two separate segments on balance training for older adults. The episodes will be featured on KSPS this spring during the new season of the program.

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The Combined Sections Meeting (CSM) National Physical Therapy Conference

This year, over 12,000 professionals attended CSM, hosted by the American Physical Therapy Association in Boston. Physical therapy students and faculty contributed to CSM with five poster presentations from the research laboratories of Drs. Cleary, Crooks, and LaPier. All presentations went very smoothly, and most were well attended.

Presenter and second-year physical therapy student, Kyanna Bren, noted that the conference was “a great opportunity to learn from those at the forefront of evidence-based practice in physical therapy.” Bren reported: “I really enjoyed attending the various educational sessions provided, and of course, I also had a blast exploring the conference and city with my cohort! Being able to present my research was an extremely rewarding experience.” Bren’s research identified methods of sleep assessment in people with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Bren noted that she “was able to discuss findings with others who are treating and researching this condition.”

Second-year physical therapy student, Rachel Park, presented on the effect of sleep apnea on pain and aerobic outcomes within the cardiac rehabilitation setting. Park noted that her experience attending the conference “was a reminder that the profession is a living, breathing being; presenting research there made me proud to be part of something so much bigger than myself.”

Two faculty members, 24 second-year physical therapy students, and four third-year physical therapy students attended the conference in February.

Physical Therapy Student Receives Fellowship Award

Third-year physical therapy student Katarina Sanchez was recently awarded a $5,000 fellowship from the Latino Center for Health at the University of Washington. This fellowship, which includes matching funds through the College of Health Science and Public Health, will provide Sanchez with financial support to advance her career goal of promoting the health and wellness of Latinx communities. Sanchez was one of just 13 graduate students in the state to receive the honor. With support from this fellowship, Sanchez hopes to provide pro bono services for Spanish-speaking laborers throughout the state of Washington.

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American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Conference

Faculty, staff and students from the Department of Physical Therapy attended the Northwest American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) conference at the University of Idaho in Moscow, last February. Students presented posters from faculty research collaborations related to running performance metrics and activity monitoring within the context of sternal precautions.

Faculty member Dr. Joel Sattgast presented an educational symposium aimed at providing an evidence-informed guide to answering every runner’s most pressing question, “When Can I Run?” With faculty, staff and students from undergraduate and graduate programs across the nation, the conference provided an opportunity for learning, growth, community and connection. Excitement is already building as EWU prepares to host the 2025 Northwest ACSM conference in Cheney.

Adaptive Climbing

The Department of Physical Therapy teamed up with Wild Walls Climbing Gym in Spokane to host an adaptive rock-climbing program. Athletes of all ages with physical disabilities interested in rock-climbing were encouraged to participate in this program. The program consists of a weekly 90-minute appointment on Thursday afternoons over five consecutive weeks. During the program, second-year physical therapy students, supervised by a licensed physical therapist, complete an evaluation and then work with participants to determine the best adaptive equipment needed to support rock-climbing skills. The team crafts a unique weekly exercise plan to encourage progression of the participant’s strength, flexibility, and climbing technique. Clients who have completed the program report improved overall function and quality of life.

Physical Therapy Legislative Impact Week

This January, EWU physical therapy students attended the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Legislative Impact Week (LIW). During LIW, students, physical therapists, APTA board members and state representatives met to address critical issues within the field of physical therapy. This year, LIW focused on a bill that sought to address the effects of price inflation in private-sector physical therapy by increasing reimbursement for physical therapy services, thereby increasing patient access to physical therapy. The bill’s urgency is especially significant, as physical therapy private practices have seen a 42% increase in cost and 15% decrease in reimbursement, with 33% of clinics operating in the red and 21% of physical therapists leaving the workforce over the last 4 years. Physical therapy students Jacob Hangartner and Conner Moyer described the importance of being involved in LIW to ensure the accessibility of physical therapy services for future patients. An additional opportunity for student involvement in APTA to advocate for the profession, beyond LIW, includes participation in a Student Special Interest Group (SSIG). The SSIG includes a meeting, every third Thursday, at 7 PM PST via Zoom. Students interested in participating should contact EWU APTA Liaison, Dr. Jenny Jordan (jjordan22@ewu.edu).

Physical Therapy Licensure Examination

Out of over 250 accredited physical therapy programs in the United States, EWU’s Doctor of Physical Therapy Program is one of only four programs nationwide with a 100% first-time pass rate on the national physical therapy licensing exam (NPTE).

Congratulations to the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program for their top nationwide student performance on the NPTE!

Wellness & Movement Sciences (WAMS): New Lifestyle Medicine Degree Offered by EWU

The Department of Wellness and Movement Sciences is offering a new and exciting Bachelor of Science (BS) in Lifestyle Medicine. The BS in lifestyle medicine allows students to pursue a degree path that looks holistically at health and well-being. Six pillars of health outlined by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) provide the foundation of the lifestyle medicine degree – (1) a whole-food, plant-predominant eating pattern, (2) physical activity, (3) restorative sleep, (4) stress management, (5) avoidance of risky substances, and (6) positive social connections. Students with career goals in public health, health care, and wellness should consider pursuing the BS in lifestyle medicine. This spring quarter, LMED 201: Introduction to Lifestyle Medicine will be offered for any students interested in learning about lifestyle medicine. Please contact program director Chris Cindric, at ccindric@ewu.edu, or view the BS in LMED web page for more information.

Wellness & Movement Sciences (WAMS): Exercise Science Club Attends American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Northwest Conference

Eighteen EWU Exercise Science Club student members and four faculty members attended the ACSM Northwest conference this February at the University of Idaho in Moscow. Three students and three faculty showcased their research in either a poster or verbal presentation. In addition, four teams of students (12 total) competed in the student knowledge bowl, a Jeopardy-style game testing sports medicine knowledge. One of EWU’s teams placed fourth out of 20 teams. EWU students and faculty earned positions on the ACSM Northwest Executive Board. At the conference, Dr. Katie Taylor began her tenure as president of the chapter, Dr. Kristyne Wiegand was elected as president-elect, and Yazmean Inman was elected as regional student representative. Finally, it was announced that ACSM Northwest Conference 2025 will be hosted by EWU, which is an exciting opportunity for the EWU’s programs and the institution as a whole.

Eastern Washington Area Health Education Center (EWAHEC) Hosts “On Track Academy”

On January 26, Eastern Washington Area Health Education Center (EWAHEC) Scholars Jenna McDonald, Emilie Crawford, and Madison Cloninger hosted an event for high school students at On Track Academy. The day began with a Kahoot game that helped to familiarize students with medical terminology and learn about different healthcare career options. Students then had the opportunity to play with “glow germ,” which showcases the importance of handwashing, by illuminating the germs present on an individual’s hands. Students practiced the process of donning personal protective equipment (PPE), where they learned how to put on the necessary equipment to keep themselves and patients safe from pathogens. While dressed in their gowns, students then got to practice suturing chicken breasts — which many mentioned as their favorite part of the day. After suturing practice, students injected sterile water into the chicken to practice giving injections. EWAHEC hosts events to promote health and wellness in underserved populations, as well as encourage rural students to consider careers in medicine.

Outreach to International Students Teaching New Methods of Research

Nicholas Swope, professor in public health, recently broadened the learning horizons of psychology students in Bali, Indonesia. Professor Swope discussed traditional qualitative research techniques of interviews and focus groups, then lectured and had students informally try newer methods, including Photovoice. Photovoice originated in public health and participatory research and is designed to spark change. This powerful tool weaves the visual method of photography together with a narrative to give greater context and depth to human experience. Displays of Photovoice at community exhibitions have been successful in raising awareness of various health topics. Students’ excitement was palpable as they viewed various Photovoice projects and informally engaged in the technique. They shared research articles and held lively meaningful discussions surrounding ethics, empowerment of the researchers, and impact of the technique. The exchange successfully motivated students to explore newer innovative methods in qualitative research.

Dental Hygiene Hosts Career Fair

In February, senior dental hygiene students participated in a department career fair with local and statewide dental offices. Many of the dental clinics that attended brought alumni of EWU’s dental hygiene program to highlight their practices to the graduating seniors. Students in the dental hygiene program met with potential employers, explored career options and networked with leaders in the field. This was a high-energy, fun and supportive event to connect students with local and statewide career opportunities and clinicians.

EWAHEC CHSPH Students Volunteer at Teddy Bear Clinic

On February 10th, the Eastern Washington Area of Health Education Careers (EWAHEC) along with a group of occupational therapy, nursing, dental hygiene, and communication science students came together in partnership with PBS to run a Teddy Bear Clinic for preschool and elementary-aged students. This event provided children with the opportunity to become comfortable with healthcare appointments and allowed them to treat their own “patient” – a teddy bear. Children documented the teddy bear’s condition and learned how to listen for heart rate and respirations using stethoscopes. EWU students in health science disciplines assisted the children in charting, taking note of vital signs, and weighing and measuring their stuffed animals. Children, their families, and the EWU student volunteers reported that the event was a great community learning experience.

Nursing Program Grand Opening

This year, Eastern Washington University launched its very own Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), welcoming its first cohort of 40 nursing students to the Spokane-based program. The program is housed in the SIERR Building in the University District, near EWU’s other healthcare programs. The BSN program aims to prepare more nursing students for entrance into the field, who can meet diverse healthcare needs and treat patients across the region. EWU’s BSN program strives to provide educational, direct experiences to help cultivate excellence within their discipline, as well as create life-long learners dedicated to providing holistic care for their patients across a variety of healthcare settings. Though the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 application cycle is now closed, prospective nursing students for the Fall 2025 semester should look for the next application cycle to open December 1, 2024.

Occupational Therapy Students Run Pediatric Mock Clinic

During this past spring semester, second-year occupational therapy students treated clients in a mock clinic at Joya Child and Family Development Center. The mock clinic allowed students to apply practical skills they have learned through their coursework, such as conducting an evaluation, planning interventions and managing full therapy sessions. Students collaborated with clients and their families for six sessions. The first session was an evaluation, followed by four treatment sessions, and finishing with a discharge session. A home program handout was designed and provided to the families to teach interventions and activities that could be implemented by parents or caregivers. Many families expressed their appreciation for the mock clinic and the positive impact the experience provided their children. Regarding her experience at Joya, one student said it was nice to “get a taste of what it is like to meet with clients, make goals, implement interventions, and see progress in action.”

Occupational Therapy Students Volunteer at Riverview Retirement Community

Second-year occupational therapy students had the opportunity to collaborate with individuals in the Riverview Retirement Community during “OCTH 533/535: Occupational Performance and Older Adults.” Students developed a variety of group protocols to run with the residents, including a book club meeting while making bookmarks, decorating vases, creating paper flowers, completing jigsaw puzzles with tea, and engaging residents in reminiscence therapy. Many students discussed later what a terrific opportunity it was to engage with the residents at Riverview and learn more about their life stories.

Public Health

Dr. Daryl Traylor is a professor in the College of Health Science and Public Health who teaches in the Master of Public Health program. He has not allowed the recent Supreme Court decision to prohibit utilizing diversity as a criterion for acceptance into higher education programs — nor a court decision to allow insurance companies to use religion as a reason to deny services — to detract him from a passion for improving diversity and inclusion. He is the lead author for a recently published (2023) review article titled Unmasking Structural Racism in Medical Education: Advancing Equity for Under-Represented Minority Students published in Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences. Dr. Traylor and co-authors cite studies identifying persistence of structural racism in many aspects of medical education. Examples of structural and personal racism include persistence admission processes whereby equally qualified people of color are less likely to obtain interviews, experience a lack of appropriate diversity in mentors, and persistence of false racist medical concepts of physiology that continue to be inappropriately applied to African Americans. Dr. Traylor and his co-authors propose various solutions including increasing diversity among mentors, addressing implicit race bias in admissions programs, increasing education geared toward cultural competence. Dr. Traylor also wrote a blog post in Pulse, regarding the unethical nature of a policy to use religion as a valid reason to deny PrEP prophylaxis, as this policy disproportionately affects minorities. Dr. Traylor is working on creating a pipeline program to help underrepresented minorities gain acceptance into medical schools.

The CHSPH semi-annual newsletter is produced by the student-led CHSPH Newsletter Committee. Special thanks to student members Alaina Hines, Rachel Peters, Keith Shulman, and Jocelyn Simpson for their efforts in collecting and coordinating these stories, and for faculty reviewers for their final review.

The College of Health Science and Public Health is proud to present the Fall 2022 newsletter. The newsletter was designed and created by a team of CHSPH students in collaboration with faculty and staff. We are excited to share stories from the College and hope that you enjoy this issue.  We welcome your feedback and would love to hear from you! Contact us as chsph@ewu.edu with story ideas or suggestions!

The College of Health Science and Public Health is proud to recognize the recipients of the 2021-2022 Frances B. Huston Medallion Award.

This award recognizes graduating seniors for excellence in academics, leadership, and service. Recipients of the Frances B. Huston Medallion Award will have established themselves as exceptionally capable individuals in both academic and extracurricular activities. The faculty and administration of Eastern Washington University acknowledge their great pride in the accomplishments of these students during their college experience and expect even greater accomplishments in the years that lie ahead.

Kasey Hermens, Public Health

Kasey Hermens has been an extraordinary leader for the undergraduate public health program. She was nominated to receive the Frances B. Huston Medallion Award by Dr. Sarah Mount who wrote “In my twenty years as an educator, I have not had a student that exemplifies leadership and an unyielding work ethic as Kasey has demonstrated in the undergraduate public health program at EWU. I fully expect that she will continue to make a significant impact in our community and in the field of public health.”

During her time at Eastern, Hermens was a member of the EWU Honors Program, Honors Program Newsletter Team, and the Honors Student Advisory Board. She was also a member of the STEM Advice and Support Club and the Easy Come, Easy Grow Garden Club. She started and maintains a Discord channel for public health students to build connections during the pandemic. She maintained a 4.0 GPA while working part-time as a patient care assistant, and has served as a mentor and scholar-lead as the recipient of the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship. Volunteer activities include serving as co-leader for Telehealth Access for Seniors, as a COVID-19 vaccination clinic volunteer for Providence Health & Services, as an inpatient CVA therapy gym assistant at St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute, and as a Washington Student Association Higher Education Funding volunteer.

Hermens is the recipient of several scholarships and awards, and was nominated for the Washington State Association of College Trustees 2019 ACT Transforming Lives Award.

After graduation, Hermens plans to pursue a master’s degree in both physician assistant studies and public health. Her goal is to practice as a PA-C with a health equity lens, pulling from her background in public health while simultaneously serving underserved populations and expanding healthcare access.

Kaylin Sheley, Communication Sciences & Disorders

Kaylin Sheley is a service-oriented scholar athlete who has excelled at Eastern Washington University. Sheley was nominated to receive the Frances B. Huston Medallion Award by Dr. Lesli Cleveland who remarked “Kaylin embodies EWU’s mission through her engagement in all areas of university life, expanding her opportunities for personal transformation at every level.”

Sheley was a member of the EWU Honors Program and an athlete on EWU’s track and field team and cross-country team. She was named the 2021-2022 team captain, an honor voted on by coaches and teammates. She served as an executive board member for Health Science Education Outreach Club, and was an active member of Eastern’s chapter of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association and the department’s Multicultural Club.

Sheley has also worked as an undergraduate research assistant in Dr. Hedieh Hashemi Hosseinabad’s Cleft Lip and Palate Lab gaining valuable experience that will support her research endeavors in graduate school. Currently, she conducts newborn hearing screenings at various hospitals in Spokane. She performs the hearing tests, communicates results to
parents and educates caregivers on the importance of screenings, early intervention and speech and language milestones.

After graduation, Sheley plans to pursue her Master’s in Communication Sciences and Disorders at EWU. Her goal is to become a certified Speech-Language Pathologist.

Eastern Washington University’s Master of Public Health program has partnered with the Washington State Department of Health and Spokane Regional Health District to present a series of presentations highlighting salient public health issues in the state of Washington. These presentations are held on the last Friday of every month from 4-5 p.m. and are held in the Nursing Building Room 105 on the Spokane campus. The presentations are also broadcasted for those who cannot join in person.

The eighth in the series was presented on March 29, 2019, and addressed prevention of firearm injuries and deaths. Therese Hansen, from the Washington State Department of Health’s Section of Injury and Violence Prevention, was one of two speaker’s at the presentation. Therese shared US and Washington specific data on violence and firearm deaths. She also discussed firearm-related suicide rates and prevention strategies. Sergeant Jordan Ferguson from the Spokane Police Department’s Major Crimes Domestic Violence Unit was the second speaker. He presented on laws surrounding gun control and gun safety. Additionally, he spoke on the connection between firearm injury and behavior. A variety of resources were provided on suicide, domestic violence, and firearm safety by both speakers. All resources are displayed in the presentation which can be accessed via youtube, as well as listed below.

Students, faculty, health professionals, and the community at large are the audience for the Public Health Grand Rounds, but all are invited to participate. With each monthly presentation, the hope is to feature the important work that is being done to protect and inform people and improve the quality of life for the community. Attendees will learn more about major public health issues, key challenges, evidence-based practice, potential solutions, and the context that influences our health every day. Join us Friday, April 26 to learn more about Medicaid transformation at our last Public Health Grand Rounds of the semester!

Links:

• Video: EWU MPH Public Health Grand Rounds Preventing Firearm Injuries and Deaths

Firearm Resources:

• Suicide & Safe Storage of Firearms
• LOCK-IT-UP: Promoting the Safe Storage of Firearms – King County
• Safer Homes Coalition 
• Seattle Children’s Hospital – Gun Safety Program

Suicide Resources:

• Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
• WSDOH Suicide Prevention Plan
• WSDOH Firearm Fatality & Suicide Prevention
• Pacific Northwest Suicide Prevention Resource Center
• Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM) Training – Free
• Means Matter

Additional Resources:

• The National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
• EWU Students: Let’s Talk, Free Consultation Service 
• EWU Spokane Students: Counseling Services 
• WSU Spokane Students: Counseling Services

The EWU College of Health Science and Public Health held a research day on Friday, March 22, 2019 on the Spokane campus. Master of Public Health students Tasha Yip, Yesenia Torres, and Jessica Pal presented their individual research posters.

Tasha Yip is an online student from Vancouver, British Columbia. The focus of her research was access to breast milk for infants in foster care. Her poster presentation highlighted the under utilization and lack of education surrounding the availability of breast milk through government milk banks in Canada.

Yesenia Torres explored perceptions of Bilingual Staff and Certified Interpreters that provide interpretation to Spanish speaking patients. Interpreting services improve health outcomes for patients, yet not all interpreters are certified. Yesenia used individual surveys to collect background information along with a self-evaluation of reading, writing, and speaking abilities to help gage perceptions.

Jessica Pal, an online student from the Seattle area presented her research which looked at the use of cradleboards in American Indian/Alaska Native tradition to reduce sudden infant death syndrome. She surveyed individuals on their use, knowledge, and attitude towards cradleboards – past and present.

Overall, this was a great showcase of the research being done throughout the EWU College of Health Science and Public Health. We are very proud of the work our students presented!

Good Job Tasha, Yesenia, and Jessica!

Eastern Washington University’s Master of Public Health program has partnered with the Washington State Department of Health and Spokane Regional Health District to present a series of presentations highlighting salient public health issues in the state of Washington. These presentations are held on the last Friday of every month from 4-5 p.m. and are held in the Nursing Building Room 105 on the Spokane campus. The presentations are also broadcasted for those who cannot join in person.

The seventh in the series was presented on February 22, 2019, and addressed aging in rural areas. Pat Justis, from the Washington State Department of Regional Health’s State Office of Rural Health, was one of two speaker’s at the presentation. Pat discussed the definition of rural and the health of the aging population in rural WA state counties. Anna Tresidder, Director of the Public Health Program at EWU was the second speaker. She presented and discussed pictures from her photovoice project that documented aging in place for rural elders. Audience questions about emergency preparedness for elders in rural areas, community forums to provide aging education for families, and non-traditional healthcare providers were then addressed.

Students, faculty, health professionals, and the community at large are the audience for the Public Health Grand Rounds, but all are invited to participate. With each monthly presentation, the hope is to feature the important work that is being done to protect and inform people and improve the quality of life for the community. Attendees will learn more about major public health issues, key challenges, evidence-based practice, potential solutions, and the context that influences our health every day. Future topics include preventing firearm injury and violence and Medicaid transformation. Join us this Friday, March 29 for the next Public Health Grand Rounds on preventing firearm injury and violence!

Links: 

EWU MPH Public Health Grand Rounds Aging in Rural Areas Presentation 

Eastern Washington University’s Master of Public Health program has partnered with the Washington State Department of Health and Spokane Regional Health District to present a series of presentations highlighting salient public health issues in the state of Washington. These presentations are held on the last Friday of every month from 4-5 p.m. and are held in the Nursing Building Room 105 on the Spokane campus. The presentations are also broadcasted for those who cannot join in person. December’s presentation was canceled due to EWU’s winter break, so January played host to two grand rounds presentations!

The fifth in the series was presented on January 11, 2019 and addressed healthcare workforce shortages. Renee Fullerton, workforce programs manager for the Washington State Department of Regional Health, was the speaker at the presentation. Renee discussed issues faced by rural communities, who experience the highest healthcare and social assistance workforce shortages in the state of Washington. She then answered audience questions about how these workforce shortages are currently being addressed within the state of Washington through community health centers, loan repayment programs for healthcare professionals, and increased residency opportunities in rural communities.

Following closely after on January 25, 2019 was the sixth presentation in the grand rounds series entitled, “The Value of Water: Systems and Workforce to Ensure the Future of our Water Supply.” Nathan Ikehara, from the Washington Department of Health Office of Drinking Water’s Engineering and Technical Services Section and Chris McCord, Deputy Director of Central Services for the Office of Drinking Water at the Washington State Department of Health were the speakers at the presentation. The speakers discussed the history of drinking water innovation and its connection to the availability, safety, and reliability of water. They also touched on ways we can address the water sector workforce gap. Ikehara and McCord then answered audience questions about the steps individuals and communities can take to help conserve and protect water quality.

Students, faculty, health professionals, and the community at large are the audience for the Public Health Grand Rounds, but all are invited to participate. With each monthly presentation, the hope is to feature the important work that is being done to protect and inform people and improve the quality of life for the community. Attendees will learn more about major public health issues, key challenges, evidence-based practice, potential solutions, and the context that influences our health every day. Future topics include aging in rural areas, firearm injury and violence, and Medicaid transformation. Join us again on Friday, February 22 for the next Public Health Grand Rounds on aging in rural areas!

Links: 

EWU MPH Public Health Grand Rounds: Healthcare Workforce Shortages Presentation (With Audio)

EWU MPH Public Health Grand Rounds: The Value of Water Presentation (With Audio) 

MPH student Johnny Aldan spent his summer interning in Saipan at the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation (CHCC), Division of Public Health, Non-Communicable Disease Bureau. His work at the CHCC was featured in Micronesia’s leading newspaper called Marianas Variety. The article focuses on Johnny’s ambition to inspire peers to pursue healthcare careers. “Our island is in such need of locals who are trained and educated in healthcare,” he said. He hopes to inspire younger generations and help them realize the impact that pursuing a healthcare career can have on public health.

Eastern Washington University’s Master of Public Health program has partnered with the Washington State Department of Health and Spokane Regional Health District to present a series of presentations highlighting salient public health issues in the state of Washington. These presentations are held on the last Friday of every month from 4-5 p.m. and are now held in the Nursing Building Room 105 at the Spokane campus. The presentations will also be broadcast for those who cannot join in person.

The fourth in the series was presented on November 30, 2018 and addressed maternal mortality. Alexis Bates, the Department of Health’s maternal mortality review coordinator, was the speaker at the presentation. Alexis discussed how 700 women die each year in the United States as a result of pregnancy or delivery complications and how the data is garnering more attention as it is becoming clear that there are populations at higher risk than others for maternal deaths. She then answered audience questions about the history behind the 2016 law that formalized a maternal mortality review panel in Washington and questions about specific clinical and social factors that contribute to pregnancy-related deaths.

Students, faculty, health professionals, and the community at large are the audience for the Public Health Grand Rounds, but all are invited to participate. With each monthly presentation, the hope is to feature the important work that is being done to protect and inform people and improve the quality of life for the community. Attendees will learn about major public health issues, key challenges, evidence-based practice, potential solutions, and the context that influences our health every day. Future topics include clinical workforce shortages, drinking water innovation, aging in rural areas, firearm injury and violence, and Medicaid transformation. The December Public Health Grand Rounds has been rescheduled. See you on January 25, 2018 for the next Public Health Grand Rounds!

The MPH program’s student organization, the Master of Public Health Association (MPHA), has begun an Alumni Connection series as part of their member meetings. MPH alumni are invited to the MPHA meetings to discuss their experience in the MPH program and how they utilize their MPH in their profession. The Alumni Connection series is a great opportunity for MPHA members to speak to recent graduates and learn about their experience in the job market post-graduation. It is also a great opportunity to get advice on navigating through the MPH program and setting themselves up for success. Thus far, the Alumni Connection series has included Guillermo Mendez, Ryan Douse, Jared O’Connor, and Zach Evans.

In addition, MPH alumni are sometimes invited to speak to classes about their current job and experience working in public health. During last week’s Risk Management class, MPH alumni Summer Rose spoke to the class about how risk management ties into her job as a Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Planner at Spokane Regional Health District.

Staying connected with MPH alumni has been essential in helping MPH students get involved in the community, obtain internships, and join the public health workforce.