Her testimony explained how partnering pre-licensure nursing students with older adults who access services at senior centers and community dining sites benefits seniors and strengthens the future health care workforce.

Older adults hope intergenerational mentoring programs will combat later life stereotypes in health care, according to a recent study by Emily Ihara and Cathy Tompkins.

As part of National Nutrition and National Social Work months, the two departments joined together on March 14 for the second annual Empty Mugs fundraiser for World Central Kitchen (WCK). Soup and mugs were donated to give people a delicious lunch for a donation to WCK.There's still time to donate--donate below.

The College is joining the National Academy of Medicine and other collaborators to celebrate the first Health Workforce Well-being Day on March 18. March 18 was chosen to commemorate the anniversary of the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act signed into law in 2022. The day was created to acknowledge the ongoing healthcare worker burnout crisis and the growing need to bolster mental health resources for healthcare workers. Learn more about this year’s inaugural celebration at nam.edu/HWWBDay.

National Public Health Week
April 1-7

Learn more about all the CPH NPHW 2024 events including service opportunities, alumni panels, and student events.

You are cordially invited to attend the 2024 CPH Student Awards Ceremony to celebrate the notable accomplishments of our students. At this event, undergraduate and graduate award recipients selected by departmental committees will be announced and called to stage to receive their individual awards.   

The one-hour ceremony will be held at the Center for the Arts on Friday, April 12 at 3 pm followed by a reception with light refreshments.  

Faculty and staff may sit anywhere in the audience. There will be reserved seating in the first row for presenters who will be called to stage to present their departmental awards. If you have any additional questions, please contact cph@gmu.edu.  

The 2024 CPH Degree Celebration will be held on Saturday, May 11 from 2–4 pm. We need volunteers (Marshals) from each department to lead in and sit with their students. Please note, these positions require regalia. We also need volunteers to help with the flow of the degree celebration. Email Alma Detten at adetten@gmu.edu with questions.

Positions still open: set up on Friday and Saturday, BS HADM Marshal, BS HNIF Marshal, Honorary Marshal, name reader, Saturday clean up.

Congratulations to Dean Perry on her new Lyme disease project supported by the U.S. Department of the Army, entitled "A highly accurate proteomic diagnostic assay to identify active Borreliosis infection with point of need collection technology" with Drs. Luchini and Liotta from the College of Science. 

Our CPH "Aims Page" writing has started up, and we invite you to join us. We will meet every 2 weeks through the end of May in time for the upcoming NIH cycle. Our format is in-person, with Zoom optional. Sign up to present your Aims page or proposal equivalent, give feedback to your colleagues, and share proposals tips. Contact me at aevanscu@gmu.edu to join. 

The University of Washington’s Center for Disaster Resilient Communities is offering a hands-on training program in environmental and public health disaster research methods and skills for up to 25 advanced graduate students and early career hazards and disaster researchers from across the United States. This fellowship includes a weeklong in-person intensive at the University of Washington Seattle Campus from August 5-9, 2024 followed by a yearlong applied research experience during which scholars will develop their own research projects. See the program web page for eligibility and application instructions. Deadline to apply is March 29, 2024 (9 pm PDT). Need-based travel stipends are available.

In partnership with CHSS, University Libraries is offering an excellent “Lunch and Learn” session on Data Management Plans presented by Wendy Mann. The session will be offered in person and by Zoom, but registration is required. Learn more information and RSVP here.

April 19 | 8:30 am - 3:30 pm | Mason's Potomac Science Center - 650 Mason Ferry Ave, Woodbridge, VA 22191

Join stakeholders from George Mason University's College of Public Health, Mason and Partners (MAP) Clinic, Prince William Community Services Board, and other community partners for a free day on how community outreach can improve public health for marginalized communities in Northern Virginia. For questions or concerns, please contact Samba Pathak at spathak5@gmu.edu.

Presentation Topics and Activities:

March 19 | 6 pm | Population Health Center
Registration required

The Department of Health Administration and Policy will host a forum on workplace violence. This event is open to all CPH faculty and students. Guest speaker Jonathan Arnburg will delve into the increased incidents of workplace violence and the need for emergency management within the healthcare sector. Exploring strategies to navigate unforeseen challenges, he will analyze the critical role of preparedness and response in safeguarding personnel and patients amidst evolving threats. Arnburg is a System Senior Director at Inova Health System. 

Join moderator Dean Melissa Perry for a compelling panel discussion on "Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Climate Change and Health" featuring esteemed experts Dr. Lise Van Susteren, Dr. Ed Maibach, and Nsedu Witherspoon. Climate change poses significant threats to global health, exacerbating existing challenges and introducing new ones.

This panel will explore the intersection of climate change and health from diverse perspectives, drawing on insights from psychology, environmental science, and public health. Dr. Van Susteren will shed light on the psychological impacts of climate change and strategies for resilience. Dr. Maibach will discuss effective communication strategies to mobilize public action on climate and health issues. Nsedu Witherspoon will provide perspectives on environmental justice and community-based approaches to address climate-related health disparities. Join us for an engaging discussion that aims to deepen understanding and inspire action towards a healthier, more sustainable future.

Submission Deadline: Friday, April 5

The Celebration of Scholarship Abstract Submission Form is now available and includes traditional research studies and practice-related investigations. All College of Public Health students are invited to submit an abstract by April 5 to present for the College's Celebration of Scholarship, held on April 26 from 12 to 3:30 pm in Peterson Hall. Please also remember to mentor your student on the IRB portion of the submission. 

April 5 | 12 pm | Zoom

Please join us to hear the following CPH faculty share their scholarship during the April Lightning Talks:

Dr. Limei Chen, Social Work
"Unlocking the Potential:  Productive Aging and Community Well-Being"

Dr. Debora Goldberg, Health Administration and Policy
“Clinicians’ Perspectives on the use of Clinical Decision Support Tools in Primary Care: Previous Experience, Barriers and Facilitators, and Strategies for Adoption and Implementation”

Dr. Jacqueline Guevara, Social Work
“Let's Get Real: Being Self Care Role Models for our Students”

You should have received a calendar invite with the Zoom link. Contact Cathy Tompkins if you need the link.

Each department is participating in our Spring Step Challenge! Congratulations to Michelle Williams for having the most steps last week and for OSA for having a slight lead over Nutrition and Food Studies. There is still enough time for any unit to be the winner and enjoy lunch on us, so don't stop stepping! Report your steps by noon on Monday.