Regional Nexus for Health and Allied Health Professions

From Vision to Action:

Advancing Our Regional Impact in Behavioral and Mental Health 

Greetings CHHSN Community,

As shared in this week’s university news release, CSUDH has been awarded a historic $29 million gift from Ballmer Group, an investment that reflects both the urgency of the mental and behavioral health workforce crisis and the strength of our collective response across three colleges through the Toros Heal Los Angeles (THLA) initiative. 

Our programs, Social Work (MSW), Marriage & Family Therapy (MFT), and Human Services (HUS), will play a critical role in advancing a coordinated, culturally responsive workforce pipeline that expands opportunity for our students while addressing urgent regional needs. This is collective work, rooted in alignment and a shared commitment to serving South L.A. communities, in partnership with the College of Education and the College of Natural and Behavioral Sciences. 

This moment reflects how we lead. Our strategic vision to become a regional nexus for health and allied health professions is not a document; it is a discipline that guides our decisions and shapes our future. Through this THLA initiative, we are continuing to translate that vision into action. 

We will carry this discipline forward through deliberate choices that align our priorities and resources, even when those decisions are difficult and require change. Let’s continue advancing this work with focus and discipline, grounded in our shared vision! 

Mi-Sook Kim, Dean 

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April 2026 CHHSN Event and Activity Calendar This is our College’s Working Calendar with constant change and updates as any additions or changes arise! 

CLINICAL SCIENCE 

🎉Clinical Science Department Excels in Accreditation Review

The Clinical Science postbaccalaureate program recently completed its accreditation review by the NAACLS (National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences) with zero concerns—an outstanding achievement! While official confirmation is expected in October/November 2026, reviewers were highly impressed with the program’s quality and overall strength.

SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH & HEALTH SCIENCE 

📅Save the Date: Signature SPHHS Events Return in 2026

We’re excited to share that two of our major annual SPHHS events will be returning in 2026! Please see the attached information for details, and be sure to mark your calendars for these highly anticipated occasions. CSU Health Policy Conference

MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK 

🌟 Celebrating Social Work Month

In honor of Social Work Month, we’re proud to spotlight our faculty—Chair Raquel Warley, Prof. Mahonri Sapiiga, and Elise Johnson—who actively engage in community practice while advancing scholarship, teaching, and university service. Their work embodies this year’s NASW theme, “Uplift. Defend. Transform.”, by centering strengths, advocating for justice, and reshaping systems for equity. Join us in celebrating the meaningful impact they make every day! Click to Read Faculty Stories

KINESIOLOGY 

🎉 Congratulations to Dr. SW Cheatham! We are proud to celebrate Dr. Cheatham’s recent accomplishments in peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. Your dedication to advancing research and scholarship in fitness, wellness, and integrative treatment strategies continues to inspire our college community. Explore Dr. Cheatham’s Research Contributions.

The College of Health, Human Services, and Nursing made a strong showing in student research this month. At the 21st Annual CSUDH Student Research Conference, 128 CHHSN students delivered 46 presentations. We are especially grateful to our faculty mentors for encouraging and supporting student participation in these high-impact practices.

Ten (10) CHHSN faculty and staff scholars shared their scholarship with the campus community, representing programs including Occupational Therapy, Clinical Science, Marital & Family Therapy, Child Development, and the School of Nursing. We sincerely appreciate the leadership of Drs. Sarah Turkel, Christian Toolan, and Courtney Rago for organizing and hosting this campus-wide event.

The College Leadership Council (CLC+) toured CHHSN spaces across campus on March 3, 2026, including the new Orthotics & Prosthetics facility, teaching labs, and various workspaces. While it was a full two-hour walk to cover everything, the tour provided a valuable opportunity for our leadership team to better understand the breadth of our spaces and explore opportunities for shared use and collaboration. As Dr. Phu Phan noted, “It is great to see the impact and visibility of the college on campus as we are present in every corner of Toro Nation.” Tour Photos

🏆Congratulations! Through Instructionally Related Activities (IRA) funding, CHHSN secured $199,025 across 16 awards supporting initiatives from 7 departments. These projects enhance student learning and engagement through research, conference participation, global experiences, community-based work, and wellness programs. From advancing health policy and culturally responsive care to supporting international learning in Tanzania and student leadership opportunities, these efforts reflect our strong commitment to enriching the student experience both inside and beyond the classroom.

🤲 Great news—we’re still collecting hygiene items through April 30! There’s plenty of time to make an impact, and every donation counts. Don’t miss your chance to give back—get your items in and help make a difference! Hygiene Flyer Details

🌟 Los Angeles Rams Career Lab

CHHSN students explore career pathways at the LA Rams Career Lab at SoFi Stadium, where Toro Health Pathways welcomed them for an engaging tour and professional panel. The panel featured professionals in IT, athletic training, social media and marketing, and fan experience, offering students a behind the scenes look at diverse careers within the organization and valuable insight into pathways in sports and health related fields.

🩺 CPR & First Aid Training a Huge Success!

On Friday, March 20, Toro Health Pathways, in collaboration with First Aid Today, hosted a CPR/First Aid training for CHHSN undergraduates. Thanks to our Toro Health Pathways program, 25 students received hands-on training! A special thank you to the THP Team, Dr. Ana Maria Barrera, Ms. Karla Castillo, and Mr. Francisco Checkcinco for organizing such a well-planned event. Due to the overwhelming interest, this training will return Summer 2026—stay tuned! 

CHHSN Toros at the IBM SkillsBuild AI in Action Hackathon

Our THP Peer Mentors, Chauncey Williams, Victoria Reyes, and Madelyn Clavero—represented CSUDH at the IBM SkillsBuild AI in Action Hackathon, held March 16–17, 2026, for CSU campuses across the Los Angeles region, including CSUN, CSUDH, CSULA, CSULB, and Cal Poly Pomona. This in-person event brought together students, faculty, and the broader campus community to explore how AI is shaping industries and future career pathways. Reflecting on her experience, Ms. Williams shared that the event “allowed her to connect what she is learning in Health Information Systems with her interests in public health and patient-centered care, leveraging technology to improve care coordination, early intervention, and health outcomes especially for vulnerable populations.”

We are pleased to invite you to participate in our 3rd Annual Career Exploration Day on April 15. This event provides an excellent opportunity for programs to engage with students, share information, and support career pathway exploration. A number of community partners will also be present, offering valuable connections and insights for our students. We encourage you to attend and to invite your students to explore and take full advantage of this event. 

We invite you to share your milestones, updates, or events with us. Feel free to share this newsletter with alumni and community partners within your network!