News
The OMPH Student Symposium 2008
On April 11th , in conjunction with National Public Health week, the Oregon Master of Public Health Program (OMPH) held it’s 6th annual Student Symposium. The symposium theme this year, coinciding with Public Health Week, was “A Climate of Change.” The event was co-sponsored by the Oregon Public Health Division and the Oregon Public Health Association.
This year over 130 students, faculty and public health practitioners were in attendance. We explored various influences on global and environmental climate, in addition to the climate of public health including organizational climate, climate of indigenous health, and climate of health disparities.
The annual symposium provides a venue for students to present current and ongoing work through poster sessions and presentations, and for public health partners and practitioners from around the state to come together for a day of learning and networking.
Highlights of this event included: two keynote speakers, student oral and poster presentations, practice networking opportunities, luncheon networking and hot topic discussion tables, a presentation of Place Matters from Unnatural Causes.
The symposium featured speakers Thomas Bruner, CEO of the Red Cross Oregon Trail Chapter whose presentation was titled, “Changing the World Through Public Health” and Gordy Molitor Executive Director of Green Empowerment who presented a discussion titled, “Two perspectives of Sustainable Public Health."
Thirty OMPH students presented their work this year, with 8 winning outstanding awards for best posters and oral presentations as judged by both the faculty and “people’s choice.”
Special congratulations to: Emily Rugel, Jessica Kendall, Nancy Goff, Rebecca Rdesinski, Violet Lindstrom, Madhu Bhadra and Alex Foster.
The OMPH symposium was included in the APHA write up of Public Health Week (we are on page 33):
APHA pdf
NEW OPHA STUDENT SECTION
for OMPH students!
OMPH students are beginning to put together a new student section of OPHA. The
section will be focused on student growth, both academically and
professionally. We would like this section to grow into one that
promotes mentoring, academic success, and a place for faculty,
students, and professionals to network. We would like this section to
help develop and disseminate both educational and professional
development resources, advocate for student issues in public health
and health-related policy, and provide a vehicles for communication
between students and the rest of the public health field.
Any member of OPHA is welcome to join! You don't have to be a
student, but we do ask that you are excited about promoting student
development. We are hoping that this new section will
increase the number of students participating in committees and
projects.
If you are interested please contact OMPH Program Coordinator, Alison Schneiger, who will put you in touch with the OMPH student leadership.
For the latest APHA Student Assembly Information, go to: http://apha.org/membergroups/students
The State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)
Go to www.CoverTheUninsured.org to learn more about the issue and how you can help.
Oregon Diabetes Program
For the latest information on the OR diabetes program go to: http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/ph/diabetes
The Healthy Oregon Act, Senate Bill 329
The Healthy Oregon Act builds on the foundation laid over the last 18 months of public involvement around several reform efforts and provides a blueprint for improving Oregon's health care system over the next few years that lowers costs, improves quality and assures every Oregonian affordable health insurance.was approved by the State Senate today in a bipartisan vote that creates a blueprint for reforming health care by lowering costs, improving quality and providing affordable health insurance to every Oregonian.
More information is available online at www.hopeforahealthyoregon.com
The OMPH Position Statement on the National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE)
In August 2008, the first national certification exam for graduates of CEPH-accredited schools and programs of public health will be offered. The NBPHE believe the exam will keep public health practitioners at the forefront of their field by ensuring competency in the five basic core competencies in public health.
The primary objective of the faculty members in the Oregon MPH Program is to ensure that our graduates receive the highest quality education in public health. The faculty members have reviewed the objectives of the exam and do not support the need to further test individuals who have already demonstrated their competencies in the five basic core competencies in public health evidenced by their successful completion of their MPH degree. Although we respect the right and desire of any individual to take the examination, the Oregon MPH Program does not support the need for the examination nor does it encourage students and graduates of our program to take the exam.
.To find out more about the exam go to: http://www.nbphe.org
The Oregon Health Policy Commission
For the latest information on the commission please go to: http://egov.oregon.gov/DAS/OHPPR/HPC/
The Commission identifies and analyzes significant health care issues affecting the state and makes policy recommendations to the Governor, the Oregon State Legislature and the state Office for Oregon Health Policy and Research (OHPR). The Commission also partners with health care experts and stakeholders around the state to develop projects which ensure access to essential health care and support services, increase health care quality and improve health outcomes for individuals and society, control costs, and encourage healthy lifestyles.