Public Health

Healthcare Workforce Development

College of Health and Human Services Hosts Transforming Public Health Workshop

John Brandon Cantrell — Wed, 23 Mar 2022 19:25:14 +0000

College of Health and Human Services Hosts Transforming Public Health Workshop John Brandon C… Wed, 03/23/2022 - 15:25

Convening area leaders to rebuild public health infrastructure

As the region approached the second anniversary of declaring a state of emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic, the College of Health and Human Services convened academic, health department, and philanthropy leaders to discuss the current public health priorities and opportunities to partner in transforming the region’s public health infrastructure.

“The College believes in the power of partnerships to deliver and promote the public’s health and that no one discipline has all the answers,” said Germaine Louis, Dean of the College, in her opening remarks. “Partnerships in Northern Virginia will be a win-win strategy as we work together to develop the much-needed health workforce and harness the power of data.”

The workshop was designed to bring the three critical stakeholder groups together to discuss the role of data and technology, workforce development, and philanthropy in addressing the most pressing priorities shared by the health department directors. The conversation was the first step in identifying solutions and developing actionable plans for the near future.

Michael Fraser, CEO of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, expressed his gratitude for the commitment of the health directors throughout the pandemic as well as his optimistic view that “transformation is possible.” Fraser shared that the pandemic has reinforced state, local, and federal commitment to transform in the areas of health equity, public health infrastructure, and data modernization—and now is the time to act!

Area Health Department Directors Share Priorities

In the first of three panels, the participating health directors discussed workforce challenges, including the shortage of nurse practitioners, particularly in rural areas, and the pervasive need for mental and behavioral health services. The need for on-going workforce development for the current health workforce was a common theme, including opportunities for just-in-time training, workforce retention initiatives, and effective communication strategies.

The group discussed health equity-related challenges, including the demand for a public health workforce that strives for equity in all policies and that helps stakeholders understand the “why” behind health equity initiatives. Participants examined the mind set shifts needed to bring health equity to the region as well as implications for policy, service delivery, and community members in traditionally over-represented populations.

Communication and education about the social determinants of health and their impact on community health were also cited as challenges that health directors seek to address, noting the need to simplify scientific information for the public’s benefit. The health directors explored the rapidly expanding role of data in public health and the increased need for analytical and decision-making skills in the public health workforce as well as the ability to clearly and accurately communicate the meaning behind the data.

Perspectives on Addressing Challenges

The second panel comprising faculty from the College and Advisory Board Members explored strategic opportunities to address the Health Department’s priorities for transforming public health relative to workforce development; health equity; and data, analytics, and technology.

From a workforce development perspective, the panel explored opportunities for collaboration between health departments and academe. Participants discussed providing students with real-world experience via internships and practica, as well as partnerships to identify the evolving skills, capabilities, and credentials the workforce will need in the future. The College is offering and will continue to develop accessible degree programs that deliver career ready graduates. The College can help with ‘upskilling’ the current workforce through specific training or by offering focused certificate programs or micro- credentials for the current workforce desiring more targeted training.

The health equity panel noted that a multi-level approach is needed and discussion focused on the many stakeholders involved in equity beyond a strict health focus. The Panel discussed the importance of technology in delivering health equity, the central role of community health workers, and the important role that academia plays in informing interventions and economic policies to address inequities in care delivery and policy. Faculty discussed their role in developing system-level thinkers who can approach today’s challenges, such as health equity, with complex analytical and problem-solving skills.

In terms of data modernization, panelists raised questions about what the public health data infrastructure is and how modern analytics and technology can offer solutions

moving forward. Discussion focused the importance of a data-ready and analytically-prepared workforce that gathers meaningful data for curation and harmonization into public health applications that positively impact the public’s health rather than keeping data in silos. The panel discussed the need to ask the right questions and to understand who will be using the data. Also, interdisciplinary collaborations are needed to prepare future public health leaders for decision-making, including the rapid emergence of technologies, like telehealth and artificial intelligence, witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Role of Philanthropy in Meeting the Moment

The third panel featured philanthropic leaders who shared their vision for how foundations and non-profits can partner in the transformation process with contributions that span well beyond their grant-making capabilities. Coalitions, convenings, relationship-building, data, and research are all benefits of partnering with the philanthropic sector to transform public health. Another emerging opportunity for foundations is helping to articulate the message, and funding the initiatives of community coalitions.

The workshop concluded with a call for further collaboration in service to the many opportunities identified throughout the day. For those who wish to learn more about opportunities to partner in the transformation of public health, please contact Dean Germaine Louis at glouis@gmu.edu.

Summary and Next Steps

During the open discussion following the panels, a number of great points were made and several themes emerged relative to a new conceptual basis for public health through the design and implementation of innovative initiatives centering on workforce, health equity and data modernization, as noted below.

Public Health

Sentiments were articulated that called for all to be proactive in remaining connected with public health and in telling our story, including what does and does not work well. We need to continue to show up, to listen and strategize, and to share power and responsibility amongst stakeholders. Both biomedical and social drivers of health and well-being need to be incorporated into public health initiatives and that will mean new collaborators from non-traditional public health disciplines, including: agriculture, housing, transportation, parks and recreation (built environment), urban planners, and businesses/employers. Philanthropy can use its voice to support of public health in their role as trusted neutral brokers.

Moving forward, we need strategies to prepare for the next pandemic as well as the impact of macro stressors such as climate on health. Such initiatives might engage multicultural advisory committees for perspective and to ensure stakeholders have a voice. Sustainable funding along with nimble contracting procedures are essential in maximizing the impact of public health, and in helping to ensure we maintain our identity in the context of friction. Lastly, moving forward will require leveraging existing and new resources and expertise to put principles into practice to ensure health and wellness, coupled with an accompanying safety net to deliver health equity.

Workforce

A new skillset is needed for both the current and future public health workforces as are strategies for upskilling the existing workforce and ensuring career ready graduates. Academe can prepare students for public health careers but bidirectional communication is needed to ensure needed skillsets aligns with coursework and practicums, while meeting accreditation standards. Academe can develop and offer credit-bearing (or not) certificate programs or micro-credentials to address current workforce needs, such as the forthcoming Master of Public Health concentration in health equity and social justice. Repeated calls were made to ensure the future workforce has contemporary skills reflecting best practices for data analytics including visualization and interpretation, communication with native and non-native English speakers, health literacy, community engagement and trust, policy, and advocacy.

Health Equity

Recognizing the many disciplines that comprise public health and equity, the field will need new partners to tackle systemic and structural factors that impede social and health equity. Best practices are needed and communicating the specifics and impact of health equity to decision makers is needed. It is timely to be designing equity impact plans targeted to communities and to gather support from stakeholders.

Data, Analytics, and Technology

Data modernization techniques are needed to design the public health data structure and to leverage available and non-traditional databases (e.g., administrative) along with more typical public health registries and databases (e.g., vital registration, cancer registries). We can be thinking about digital health innovation opportunities so that initiatives can be designed to be effective, efficient, equitable, and safe. Telehealth opportunities are an excellent way to reach underserved populations and are likely to remain post-pandemic and become an acceptable component of clinical care. In terms of health informatics, there are exciting opportunities to use AI and machine-learning tools to design and deliver equitable health.

Workshop Agenda & Participants

Panel 1: Health Directors’ Panel Discussion – Top 3 Priorities Moving Forward

Gloria Addo-Ayensu, M.D., M.P.H., District Director, Fairfax Health District *
Alison Ansher, M.D., M.P.H., District Director, Prince William Health District*
Michael Fraser, Ph.D., M.S., Chief Executive Officer, Association of State and Territorial Health Officials
David Goodfriend, M.D., M.P.H., District Director, Loudon Health District
L. Trice Gravatte, M.D., Health Director, Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District
Christopher Revere, M.P.A., Deputy Director for Innovation and Planning, Fairfax County Health District
David Rose, M.D., M.B.A., Director, Alexandria Health Department
Robert Sharpe, Chief Operations Officer, Arlington Health District
Reuben Varghese, M.D., District Director, Arlington Health District

Panel 2: Mason Faculty & Advisory Board Response – Possible Strategic Initiatives for meeting Health Department Needs

Workforce Priority

Carolyn Drews-Botsch, Ph.D., M.P.H., Chair & Professor, Department of Global & Community Health, College of Health & Human Services, George Mason University
Michael Fraser, Ph.D., M.S., Chief Executive Officer, Association of State and Territorial Health Officials*
Emily Ihara, Ph.D., M.S.W., Chair & Associate Professor, Department of Social Work, College of Health & Human Services, George Mason University
PJ Maddox, Ed.D., Chair & Professor, Department of Health Administration & Policy, College of Health & Human Services, George Mason University
Robert Weiler, Ph.D., M.P.H., Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, College of Health & Human Services, George Mason University

Health Equity Priority

Robert Blancato, M.P.A., President, Matz Blancato & Associates*
Gilbert Gimm, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Health Administration & Policy, College of Health & Human Services, George Mason University
Sharon Lamberton, M.S., Deputy Vice President, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America*
Michelle Williams, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Global & Community Health,
College of Health & Human Services, George Mason University
Hong Xue, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Health Administration & Policy, College of Health & Human Services, George Mason University

Data Platforms, Analytics, and Technology Priority

Anton Arbatov, M.H.A., Senior Vice President Customer Success, Clarity, Inc.*
Alicia Hong, Ph.D., M.P.H., Professor, Department of Health Administration & Policy, College of Health & Human Services, George Mason University
Praduman Jain, Chief Executive Officer & Founder, Vibrent Health*
Rebecca Sutter, D.N.P., Associate Professor, School of Nursing, College of Health & Human Services, George Mason University
Jinshan Tang, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Health Administration & Policy, College of Health & Human Services, George Mason University
Janusz Wojtusiak, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Health Administration & Policy, College of Health & Human Services, George Mason University

Panel 3: Philanthropic Leaders’ Response – Intersection of Philanthropic Missions with Public Health

Eileen Ellsworth, J.D., President and Chief Executive Officer, The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia
Susie Lee, M.P.H., Executive Director, Potomac Health Foundation*
Patricia Mathews, B.A., President and Chief Executive Officer, Northern Virginia Health Foundation
Robin Mockenhaupt, Ph.D., M.P.H., Robin Mockenhaupt Consulting, LLC*

* indicates Dean’s Advisory Board Member

Topics

CHHS

Moving forward, the Center will provide robust administrative support and infrastructure for core work activities that are conducted through data analysis and research; training and education; and integration and innovation. Learn more at the Center’s website: http://vahlthwf.gmu.edu/

George Mason University establishes the Mason Center for the Health Workforce

Melanie Balog — Mon, 14 Feb 2022 14:06:47 +0000

George Mason University establishes the Mason Center for the Health Workforce Melanie Balog Mon, 02/14/2022 - 09:06

Fairfax, VA – George Mason University has established the Mason Center for the Health Workforce to address the shortage of and immediate need for health workers in Virginia. Directed by PJ Maddox and Caroline Sutter, the Center will support the development and delivery of public/private strategies to optimize physical and behavioral health careers education and post-graduate skill training. The Center will also serve as a technical assistance center for health workforce research, program evaluation, planning and analysis for government agencies, academic entities, and professional organizations.

“A competent health workforce is a critical asset for fielding essential health/public health services in all communities,” said Maddox, Professor and Chair of the Department of Health Administration and Policy. “Mason’s commitment to providing access to higher education and its commitment to service to the Commonwealth make it the right home for the Virginia Health Workforce Center.”

The center will build on work currently funded by the Claude Moore Community Foundation for early health workforce development, supporting the Claude Moore Scholars program and providing technology and services that enhance existing education and training pathways to employment programs in Virginia. The Scholars program, which works with 46 school systems in Virginia, is designed to introduce young people to healthcare careers and help them get the necessary education and training that will enable them to become employable in meaningful jobs upon completion of high school.

The Center also provides data on health workforce, supports teachers, and does program evaluation. It is poised to take on a larger role in support of healthcare workforce in the Commonwealth.

“The current health workforce crisis in Virginia—exacerbated by COVID-19—demonstrates the need to think strategically about how we attract talent to healthcare, how we educate and train workers, and how we make healthcare jobs more appealing in terms of work environment and career opportunities,” said Bill Hazel, Senior Deputy Executive Director of Claude Moore. “The Center for Health Workforce is a collaborative effort that will provide support to leaders around the Commonwealth as these issues are addressed.”

The Mason Center for the Health Workforce will grow the Virginia (physical and behavioral) health workforce pipeline, support public/private agency, cross-sector commitment and resource sharing for workforce development; develop innovative curricula, training and delivery methods that support increased access to education for (physical and behavioral) health careers and career advancement; and evaluate the impact of workforce development programs relative to demand and investments for expanding workforce supply.

“The need for well-trained health professionals, across disciplines and among fields, is one of the most critical issues facing communities in Virginia and throughout the nation. These challenges have been exacerbated during the COVID crisis,” Mason Provost and Executive Vice President Mark R. Ginsberg said. “I am confident that our new Center will help to address these critical challenges and also provide opportunities for continuing professional education for the health workforce in the Commonwealth.”

About Mason

George Mason University, Virginia’s largest public research university, enrolls 39,000 students from 130 countries and all 50 states. Located near Washington, D.C., Mason has grown rapidly over the last half-century and is recognized for its innovation and entrepreneurship, remarkable diversity and commitment to accessibility. In 2022, Mason celebrates 50 years as an independent institution. Learn more at http://www.gmu.edu.

Topics

Healthcare Workforce Development

Michelle Williams, Assistant Professor in Public Health, Speaks on Multicultural Factors in the Public Health Field

John Brandon Cantrell — Thu, 20 May 2021 19:30:49 +0000

Michelle Williams, Assistant Professor in Public Health, Speaks on Multicultural Factors in the Public Health Field John Brandon C… Thu, 05/20/2021 - 15:30

OnlineEducation.com Interview

Topics

faculty spotlight

Michelle S. Williams, PhD, MSPH

In This Story

Michelle Williams, Assistant Professor in the Department of Global and Community Health, Featured in OnlineEducation Interview.

Content originally posted by Matt Ashar, OnlineEducation.com.

Michelle Williams, PhD, speaks on multicultural factors in the public health field in an interview by OnlineEducation.

[OnlineEducation.com] There are multiple pathways that can lead to a career in public health and there are numerous specializations in the field. You earned a Master of Public Health degree and got your PhD in Health Education and Health Promotion. What were some of the formative experiences that led you to choose that pathway?

It started in college, specifically my senior year of college. When I was a freshman, my intention was to become a medical doctor. I volunteered at an emergency room in the Tallahassee area, where I was in college. I spent hours and hours in the emergency room and, through those experiences, I became aware of the significant disparities among the people who were being treated there. I was also in a leadership position in an organization on campus at Florida A&M. I had taken on the position of being the Health Education Committee chair, and I really liked being involved in health education. I enjoyed the process of making pamphlets about different health issues, and I was involved in setting up booths on campus where we gave out free condoms. So, as I got closer to graduating and began considering what I was going to do next, I thought about the Master of Public Health (MPH) program at Florida A&M, which was a relatively new program at the time, and decided to apply.

[OnlineEducation.com] What drew you to public health as opposed to medicine?

I got into public health because of its focus on preventing illness and addressing the underlying causes of disease. Again, thinking back to the time I had spent working in the emergency room, we were seeing people come in who were not in an emergency situation but who were seeking treatment at the emergency room either because they didn’t have other options or they weren’t aware of other care options. So they were coming into the emergency room, which is a lot more expensive than seeing a primary care physician, and that left me with a lot of questions about our healthcare system way back in 2000, when I was entering the MPH program. That’s where my interest came from. It grew once I began the MPH program and got to do internships at the local health department. It felt like this was definitely an area in which I wanted to be.

Once I completed my MPH degree, I found a position as an adjunct instructor teaching health education and to me it was much more than just teaching a college course. It was about teaching people how to be healthy. The course was called Quality of Life, and that experience had an impact on me. My interest just grew from there and when I decided to get my PhD it was in Health Education and Health Promotion.

[OnlineEducation.com] Was there any point along the way at which you were made aware or you became aware that women in your chosen field faced unique challenges or specific hurdles either in the academic sphere or the professional world?

I think I became aware of that during the first semester of my MPH program. Florida A&M is an historically black institution. I had grown up in predominantly white communities. So being at an historically black institution was different. I didn’t exactly forget about inequalities and things of that nature, but they weren’t as front and center as they could have been. Then, during the first semester of my MPH program, I remember taking a professional development seminar during which the program director shared with us her experiences of getting her PhD in public health and doing work at Harvard University. She recalled people using racial slurs and even spitting at her. When you hear stories like that you start to realize that, hey, you know, this utopia that I’m in here at Florida A&M is not representative of the reality that is out there in the world. There are inequities and there are times when you are going to be the only black woman in the room and things of that nature. So, that’s when it really started coming into focus for me.

When I started getting out into the field and when I started teaching, it became more of a reality. I remember when I started teaching health education in the classroom it became apparent to me that, for a lot of my students, I was the first black woman professor that they had even taken a class with.

[OnlineEducation.com] There are definitely issues of intersectionality there with you being a woman of color and both of those factors impacting your experiences in the classroom. Was this something that would continue to come up as you advanced in your career as an academic?

Yes. As I mentioned, Florida A&M was a bit of a utopia for me because I did not feel like a minority. But when you leave that campus environment and enter a different environment, you begin to notice things. So, for example, when I started pursuing graduate coursework at a predominantly white university, there were a lot of times when I was the only black person or the only black woman in a class or in a meeting or doing whatever. And you begin to notice microaggressions and things of that nature. At UAB, where I got my PhD, it was not at all uncommon for me to be the only black woman in a situation, and in those situations you definitely begin to feel the racism. This was in the 2000s.

There’s a book on the subject called Presumed Incompetent: The Intersections of Race and Class for Women in Academia. It was written by a black woman in academia (Angela P. Harris). She identifies with many of the attitudes I encountered. For example, there was one situation in particular where someone had reviewed the resumés of me and of another person who I was in a training program with. The person who’d reviewed the resumés was complimenting the other person in the training program – we’ll call her Beth – for all the publications that she had. Beth turned to me and said, “I don’t know what she’s talking about; I don’t have any publications.” What she was referring to was me and my resumé. She’d read the resumés and she remembered that one of us had a number of publications, so she just assumed that it was Beth.

[OnlineEducation.com] I presume that the other person in that training program was white.

Yes. And the woman reviewing the resumé eventually realized that she had made a mistake. But it was a reminder that people make assumptions and that you can be presumed incompetent or less than because you are a black woman.

[OnlineEducation.com] That sounds like the kind of implicit bias that lacks malicious intent but that nonetheless reveals something troubling about the role race and gender play in all kinds of decisions and judgements that people make. I think the hope would be that as the number of women and women of color enter a profession, those implicit biases would steadily erode. In public health and epidemiology the first part of that is happening: Women and, to a lesser extent, women of color are well represented and currently there is not a major gender disparity in overall employment in public health fields. Unfortunately, by most accounts, men continue to occupy a disproportionate number of leadership positions in public health, epidemiology, and related fields. Does that align with your experiences?

Absolutely. From what I see as a professor in the classroom, the majority of the students are women. But then when you look at leadership positions. The department chairs are predominantly male. The faculty at many of these schools are predominantly female and yet the deans of these schools are mostly men. Even when I was working at the health department in Tallahassee it was very much the same way. The majority of the people who were the lower-tier employees were women, while men occupied the higher positions. Unfortunately, I think it’s like that in many fields, so I don’t think public health is unique in that way.

[OnlineEducation.com] What do you think accounts for these disparities?

I think there are a number of factors. But it definitely goes back to these gendered roles and stereotypes that people seem to have. I’ll use myself as an example. Before I became cognizant of the fact that I have to speak up for myself in my profession and that I have to ask for a specific salary and for other things that I want, I just assumed that people would treat you fairly. But you start to see that that’s not the case. I do think that sometimes it just comes down to women not speaking up for themselves in their profession, whether it’s about salary or something else. This is something that one of my mentors told me a long time ago when she was negotiating her salary. You have to negotiate your salary based on what people in your field are making and on what you believe that you are worth. Sometimes women just aren’t taught that.

Another thing is that we have to learn how to… I don’t know how to say this the right way but, speaking as a black woman, you have to learn how to approach people without offending them or coming off as an angry black woman. I remember attending a national mentoring program and there was a male professor leading a session. He was talking about how when he wanted to get some equipment for a project, he would walk into the office of his department chair and say, “I want some toys” in a demanding voice. I thought to myself at the time that if I walked into someone’s office and used that same tone, it would be taken completely differently. Whether it’s fair or not, we have to navigate these situations and make requests in a way that is not going to be offensive or come off as angry.

[OnlineEducation.com] It’s not the first time I heard a story like that and, as you noted before, this dynamic is not something that is unique to the field of public health or even to academia. I want to ask you about that in relation to your involvement with the Women’s Caucus of the American Public Health Association (APHA), where you are the current chairperson. What does your work with the Women’s Caucus entail?

It’s funny you should ask because we just had an executive committee meeting today. The Women’s Caucus is an organization that is affiliated with the APHA and that focuses primarily on women’s health issues. As the chair, I have the responsibility of organizing different committee activities about issues in women’s health. My area of specialization is cancer prevention in women. Ask me something about cancer prevention in women and I will get you an answer. But there are so many other aspects of public health that are important in regards to women’s health, so we have a variety of committees, including a policy committee, in which we try to address women’s health issues from multiple perspectives. For example, in the policy committee they are currently working on developing policies related to fourth-trimester care for women after pregnancy [from birth to 12 weeks postpartum].

[OnlineEducation.com] Does the Women’s Caucus focus on professional issues for women in public health or primarily on women’s public health issues?

So, we mostly focus on women’s public health issues, like cancer prevention in women and fourth-trimester care. But I also like to think of the Women’s Caucus as a place where we can spotlight the work of women who are doing great work in the field of public health. We have member highlights and, because not all of the work in public health is done in academic institutions, we make an effort to focus on women who are doing work in other sectors, as well as in academia. We also organize webinars where we feature the women who are doing interesting and important work in public health and on women’s health issues. So, we are focused on highlighting the women who are doing work in public health, but also on the public health work that those women are doing, if that makes sense.

[OnlineEducation.com] It does. And that would seem to get at two related reasons why it remains important to have prominent women in a field like public health. For one, there’s a benefit to having role models who can inspire the next cohort of women and make them feel more at home in a field in which men occupy a disproportionate number of leadership positions. In addition, it seems reasonable to conclude that women would be more likely to work on health issues that are of particular import to women. Have you seen evidence of that?

Oh yes. One of the things we spend time identifying are public health issues that impact women but that aren’t necessarily headline news and that aren’t yet part of the mainstream discussion about women’s health. Fourth-trimester care is a good example of that. I had never heard of it. But, clearly, it’s an important issue. And there are issues that, because they only affect a small group of women, aren’t getting attention. Last year we organized a webinar that focused on reproductive health issues faced by women in detention centers on the US border. It’s a relatively small population of women, but the health issues in that population are significant.

[OnlineEducation.com] Mentorship is often raised in many fields as one way of addressing gender and also racial disparities. What are your thoughts on that approach?

That’s a good question. I have mixed feelings about mentorship because I’ve had some great mentors and I’ve also had some not-so-great mentors. I think one of the key issues with mentorship is figuring out what you want or need mentorship for. For example, is it an issue where I perhaps want to find a mentor who is a black woman or is it an issue where I just want to find an expert in the field or someone who has a lot of experience in a particular area?

One of my best mentors is a white male, and one of my other very good mentors is a white female. I get different things from them. So finding the right kind of mentor who can offer help and guidance in a specific area is important. Of course, I wouldn’t go to the white male and ask him how to have a conversation as a black woman and not be perceived as an angry black woman. I would probably go to a black female who has perhaps had that experience.

So I think it’s important to have a team of mentors. And, for a woman, having a male mentor can be a big help. For example, the story of the male professor who was demanding equipment from his department chair gave me a new perspective that helps me in figuring out how I want to approach asking for things I need, if that makes sense.

[OnlineEducation.com] Yes, it does. Now, you’re on the faculty at George Mason University in the Department of Global and Community Health, correct? Do you teach undergraduates, graduate students, or both?

So far, I have taught both. My first semester at George Mason was last fall and I was teaching undergraduates. This semester I am teaching graduate students.

[OnlineEducation.com] Before that you were teaching at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and those were graduate courses, correct?

Yes. I was teaching master’s and PhD students.

[OnlineEducation.com] From your vantage point as a professor, what is your perspective on the current state of gender disparities in the field of public health?

That’s the interesting part. I definitely see the gender disparities. At the undergraduate and graduate level the students are predominantly female. And then when you look to leadership positions, it’s still predominantly male.

[OnlineEducation.com] Do you see that changing at all?

Honestly, I have not seen it change very much. I think there is the potential for it to happen. But I think it has to come down to being more focused on training women for leadership positions and giving them the confidence to pursue leadership positions. Without that, I don’t know that it will naturally happen. My first faculty position after I got my PhD was in a school of nursing. Among the entire faculty, there were two or maybe three men. But our dean was a man. This is nothing against him. But it does illustrate the extent to which these disparities exist. Out of all the women at that nursing school, the person who had become dean was a man.

[OnlineEducation.com] With that in mind, what advice would you offer to young women and young black women who are considering pursuing a career in public health? How would you suggest that they navigate the field as you know it?

I would tell them to read a book titled The Memo: What Women of Color Need to Know to Secure a Seat at the Table by Minda Harts. It’s written by a black woman whose field is not public health. But the advice she gives in terms of career development and navigating toward your career goals is applicable in public health. She talks about being deliberate about achieving your goals, and how you have to learn how to present yourself in a manner that is respectable and forceful but that does not play into gender stereotypes like that of the angry black woman. I read the book two years ago and it made a big impact on me. I think it offers really practical advice and, like I said before, I don’t think things are naturally going to change in public health or any other field in terms of gender disparities. It’s going to have to result from individual women acting very deliberately and understanding their career goals and what it is going to take to get there. If you do want to be the dean of a college or the president of a university or the head of a CDC office, you have to plan it out and be deliberate about how you navigate your career. That’s how things will change.

About The Author

Matt Ashare is a writer with 25 years of experience in publishing. He was an editor at the Boston Phoenix and a contributor to other publications, including Rolling Stone, Spin, and the Village Voice. He now teaches journalism at Randolph College, and occasionally writes a column for the Central Virginia weekly The Burg.

CHHS Students Committed to Giving Back to the Community

John Brandon Cantrell — Tue, 04 May 2021 13:03:28 +0000

CHHS Students Committed to Giving Back to the Community John Brandon C… Tue, 05/04/2021 - 09:03

Topics

Graduating CHHS Seniors Reflect on Community Engagement.

Students who pursue public health-related fields are working to make an impact in their respective fields of study as well as their local communities. By applying skills they learned in their coursework, many students in the College of Health and Human Services work and volunteer for local organizations that support health, wellness, and social justice initiatives.

Tristan Corbett, a Bachelor of Social Work student, explains the importance of giving back to the community. “As a CHHS student, you learn across multiple classes [on] how important environmental influences are to both the health and well-being of an individual,” said Corbett. “It is easy to go about life and be a recipient of the benefits from the environment and [community], but I find it important to contribute to them as well; it is a group effort to sustain and improve our community, for our community.”

As a student studying social work, Corbett became involved with a local nonprofit, FACETS, while completing his practicum. “There are many opportunities to contribute to the community [at FACETS], from Hot Meals - a food distribution program for the local homeless population around NoVA - to the Education and Community Development branch, which seeks to enrich the lives of the subsidized housing communities around their offices.”

Many students find community engagement opportunities as a way to gain real-world experience by problem-solving, communicating, and collaborating with others to address issues facing their community.

"Giving back to your community is an opportunity for you to evolve as a person and understand how you fit into the world around you. Engaging with different communities will enhance your life and connect you to people and ideas that will positively influence you in different walks of life." - Pratishna Thapa

For Pratishna Thapa, a Bachelor of Social Work student in the College, giving back to the community is a way for her to help individuals through challenging situations while she earns her degree at Mason.

“I have had the privilege to work with different communities -- from working with children and adults with disabilities, organizing disaster relief programs for people affected by natural disasters, strategizing ways to enhance the well-being of marginalized women in developing countries, advocating for victims and witnesses of domestic violence to assisting formerly incarcerated women to get back into the society,” Thapa said.

Thapa has worked with the Alexandria Victim Assistance Program, a Virginia organization staffed by Crime Victim Advocates who provide support and services to crime victims during the aftermath of a crime and throughout the criminal justice process. While working as an advocate in the organization, Thapa attended court with individuals who have survivors of crimes and organized vigils for those who have died due to domestic violence.

Currently, Thapa serves as a case manager intern for Friends of Guest House, where she provides emotional support and coping strategies for formerly incarcerated women.

“My daily responsibilities entail helping the women identify their stressors, identify coping plans, document case notes for my clients, and lead psychoeducational groups like Interpersonal Skills and Seeking Safety weekly,” Thapa said.

Through her advocacy work, Thapa was inspired to pursue research opportunities relating to women's experiences in the prison system. “I have observed an inconsistency in the demographic of women being rehabilitated versus the actual prison population,” Thapa said. “This has piqued my interest in researching the gaps within the prison system while pursuing my Master's in Social work through the Advanced Standing Program at Mason.”

Kendal Chase, a student in the School of Nursing, also has a mission to help others in her community. Chase’s community engagement began at the macro-level by serving her country in the United States Army.

"Learning at Mason taught me that my education and experience were not about myself but about the needs of the community and where I can help out as an individual." -Kendal Chase

“I proudly served 8 years of Active-Duty service as a Pharmacy Technician,” Chase said. “I was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas and Fort Belvoir, Virginia, serving in both field exercise and hospital settings.”

While serving in the Army, Chase became the liaison for Fort Belvoir’s Hazardous Waste Program, where she educated healthcare professionals on the importance of medical disposal practices. This experience led to more opportunities to help others when Chase transitioned into a career outside of the Army.

While serving as an Outreach Coordinator for Fairfax County, Chase implemented strategies to help the community safely dispose of unused or expired prescription drugs. “I focused much of my work on researching and designing a pilot Drug Take-Back program for privately-owned pharmacies,” Chase said. “This program was then presented to the Virginia State Wastewater employees at the WaterJam conference in 2019.”

When she was accepted into the School of Nursing, Chase continued helping others by joining Mason’s Student Nursing Association (SNA) board. “My primary motivation for applying for the SNA board was to provide a better avenue for communication for the students and faculty,” Chase said.

As a board member, Chase helped navigate the group through a challenging year due to COVID-19. However, the pandemic didn’t stop Chase and her fellow board members from helping other nursing students.

“[Working together] during a COVID environment has proven to be difficult, but I’ve learned it’s only made us closer as a group, as we have to be creative, innovative, and dedicated to making it work,” Chase said. “It was because of our continued teamwork that our club was turned into a constituent at the national level. We’ve conducted coat drives, food drives, and promoted a mentorship program for pre-nursing and nursing students, to name a few [projects].”

Due to the global impact of COVID-19, there is a strong need for community engagement initiatives to help with the local implications of the pandemic. Mei Qiu, a Bachelor of Social Work student in the College, continued serving her community and expanding her professional skills by connecting others to helpful resources throughout the pandemic.

"Volunteering my time helps give me a purpose and improve social inequalities that are occurring in the area." -Mei Qiu

“During quarantine, I was able to help volunteer at many facilities to help detect COVID-19 in the Prince William county area with the Virginia Medical Reserve Corps,” Qiu said.

For Qiu, getting involved in community engagement is an important component of her future career. “It’s important to give back because, as a future social worker, I need to familiarize myself with my community and what resources and services are needed,” Qiu said. “Volunteering my time helps give me a purpose and improve social inequalities that are occurring in the area.”

In addition to working as a research assistant, Qiu has also focused on helping others who face food and housing insecurity. “Most recently, I have been volunteering my time with the Hot Meals program at FACETS as a driver and to help give out meals to people who are homeless in the Fairfax county area,” Qiu said.

Community engagement has offered these seniors opportunities to make meaningful contributions that improve the lives of those around them while completing their degrees. Through this type of advocacy work, Mason’s future leaders in public health are well-prepared to serve their communities and continue to better their communities.

Before graduating in May, Corbett, Thapa, Chase, and Qiu were honored as Community Engagement Medallion Awardees by Mason’s Social Action and Integrative Learning (SAIL) organization.

Student's Mission to Enhance Public Health Awareness

John Brandon Cantrell — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 18:16:26 +0000

Student's Mission to Enhance Public Health Awareness John Brandon C… Mon, 04/19/2021 - 14:16

Topics

College of Health and Human Services Department of Global and Community Health

Advocacy

Student Spotlight

Master of Public Health Student, Evelyn Zavala, Educates Others on the Importance of Public Health.

Zavala, a Student Ambassador for This is Public Health, educates high school and college students across the nation on the importance of public health and the career opportunities the field provides.

Evelyn Zavala, Master of Public Health student at the College of Health and Human Services, has a mission to educate others on the importance of public health.

As the This is Public Health (TIPH) Student Ambassador for the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH), Zavala informs college and high school students across the nation about the opportunities a public health degree provides.

Founded by ASPPH, the This Is Public Health campaign raises awareness about education and career options in public health through outreach initiatives. To date, the group has over 94 Student Ambassadors from across the nation and has participated in 78 graduate fairs and 31 roadshow events to promote public health education.

“I was inspired to pursue being a TIPH Student Ambassador because I wanted to educate high school and college students about public health and how they can get involved or pursue a career in public health,” Zavala said. “After all, when I was a freshman, I had no idea this fantastic field existed.”

According to Zavala, the primary duties of serving as a TIPH Student Ambassador involve engaging in social media outreach, working on various health education projects, giving presentations to students, and answering questions at public health fairs.

“We get to motivate and encourage other people who don't know about public health and all the opportunities available at different universities,” Zavala said. “It's an incredible networking experience and [participants are] extremely diverse in backgrounds and interests.”

Serving as a Student Ambassador for TIPH has presented Zavala with many professional development opportunities that she can apply to her future career, such as networking and public speaking. She also represents Mason’s public health program, where she reflects on why she chose a public health degree and empowers others to pursue similar degrees.

Zavala feels that public health is still overlooked by most students. “The campaign, This is Public Health, highlights how everything around us is public health but not many people know what public health is until a crisis like COVID-19 or an epidemic is mentioned,” Zavala said.

The experience has taught Zavala the importance of working with other dedicated ambassadors to achieve the same goal of increasing the understanding of public health. “What I have seen from all of the TIPH student ambassadors is that we all do a little to make a huge difference,” Zavala said. “Even in different parts of the country, every little bit counts, and we are moving towards healthier lives for the country.”

In May, Zavala will graduate with a Master of Public Health degree and a concentration in Epidemiology. “After graduation, I hope to continue to serve my county in my role as a Case Interviewer for the Institute of Public Health Innovations, working with the Fairfax County Health Department to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Virginia,” Zavala said. “I hope to see the [COVID-19] response to its end and then move into a federal or other epidemiologist position with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or Emory University in Atlanta, GA.”

Kevin Cevasco Honored as CHHS Alumni of the Year

John Brandon Cantrell — Thu, 15 Apr 2021 14:13:28 +0000

Kevin Cevasco Honored as CHHS Alumni of the Year John Brandon C… Thu, 04/15/2021 - 10:13

Topics

George Mason University Names Kevin Cevasco as the 2021 College of Health and Human Services Alumni of the Year.

In addition to being named Mason’s CHHS Alumni of the Year, Cevasco is set to address graduates at the upcoming spring graduation ceremony.

Kevin Cevasco is a proud Mason alum. Cevasco graduated from Mason in 1989 with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and returned to pursue a Master of Public Health degree, which he completed in 2020. Currently, he is working toward his third Mason degree as a doctoral candidate in the College’s inaugural cohort for the PhD degree program in Public Health.

While Cevasco is now an accomplished scholar in public health, his career didn’t begin in the health field. “For me, the calling to public health started in my 40s,” said Cevasco, whose prior career was in business and Information Technology (IT).

Cevasco became interested in public health while serving as the treasurer for Friends of Patients at the National Institute of Health (NIH) where he discovered socioeconomic discrepancies in access to life-saving treatments and financial concerns affecting patients and their families.

“I joined the board as the Treasurer at the request of a retired NIHer,” Cevasco said. “Friends at NIH’s mission is to provide emotional, financial, and logistical support to patients while they are receiving groundbreaking and life-saving treatments at the NIH.”

Through his work at Friends at NIH, Cevasco encountered a family facing housing uncertainty while the mother was undergoing a Lupus Research Protocol at the NIH Clinical Center. The experience of helping this family enlightened him on the importance of making health care accessible to all.

“Our funds prevented her oldest child from dropping out of high school to work to save the family home,” Cevasco said. “With a tear dripping down my cheek, I approved the rent check. I’d approved such requests before, but this time I emotionally grasped the contradiction between world-class NIH research and the dire health-related financial distress many American families face.”

The opportunity to support patients facing financial concerns when seeking treatment at the NIH inspired Cevasco to pursue a Master of Public Health degree at Mason. While completing his master’s degree, Cevasco applied his knowledge of information technology with the new information he was learning in the Master of Public Health degree program to develop IT health solutions and foundations for programs that increase access to care.

Cevasco has worked with leading experts in public health and also led studies of his own. At the beginning of the pandemic, when universities across the nation were making decisions on the best ways to continue operating while mitigating the spread of COVID-19, Cevasco led a group of MPH students to publish a study on university response rates in relation to the guidance from the Center of Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

After graduating with his Master of Public Health degree, Cevasco continued his work through his involvement in various programs. He is currently an active member of the Northern Virginia Area Health Education Center (NVAHEC), where he advocates for the Center’s workplace development programs. In addition, he worked with the National Association County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) to publish a Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNA) directed at the Opioid Overdose Epidemic.

His work has been recognized with several awards at Mason. In 2020, he was awarded the CHHS Graduate Award for Excellence in Leadership. This year, in addition to being named Mason’s CHHS Alumni of the Year, he is set to address graduates at the upcoming spring graduation ceremony.

When asked what he would say to Mason’s soon-to-be graduates, Cevasco spoke on the importance of maintaining involvement with the Mason Community. “One thing I’ve learned is that your Mason experience doesn’t end with graduation,” Cevasco said. “Earning your degree is an incredible achievement, and while your time as a student may be over, your relationship with Mason is just beginning. You are now part of the Mason network.”

To learn more about Cevasco’s work, visit his Research Gate page.

The College of Health and Human Services Celebrates National Public Health Week

mthomp7 — Fri, 02 Apr 2021 20:46:50 +0000

The College of Health and Human Services Celebrates National Public Health Week mthomp7 Fri, 04/02/2021 - 16:46

Join the College of Health and Human Services to Celebrate National Public Health Week April 5-11

#MakingHealthVisible | #NPHW2021 | #MasonCHHS | #ThisIsPublicHealth

Events

Monday, April 5, 12 - 1 pm
5th Annual Conversations & Connections
CHHS and Kaiser Permanente Thrive present the 5th Annual Conversations & Connections event. Dr. Shivani Patel presents on the current #healthdisparities facing our community during the COVID-19 pandemic. This event is offered in celebration of #NationalPublicHealthWeek. #WhyPublicHealthMatters #NPHW Register today at http://ow.ly/RcG950E5fx4

Wednesday, April 7, 12 pm - 1 pm
My Journey to Discover Why Disparities Exist ... and What to Do About Them
Thomas LaVeist, PhD, MA
Dean and Weatherhead Presidential Chair in Health Equity Tulane University School of Public Health & Tropical Medicine
RSVP
Access the live event here

Student Spotlight

Tatum McKay is Fighting a Pandemic with Data
Master of Public Health student works with leading experts to analyze data from the COVID Health Check✓™

Tatum McKay, Master of Public Health student at the College of Health and Human Services, is helping fight a pandemic with data. McKay has spent this semester working as a Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) with Dr. Amira Roess. Her primary work has been analyzing data from Mason’s COVID Health Check✓™ to provide insight into testing rates and how to best mitigate the spread of COVID-19 on campus. Read more.

We look forward to sharing more information on social media and on chhs.gmu.edu throughout the week! If you have something to share related to National Public Health Week, let us know!

Topics

national public health week

Health Policy

Coming Full-Circle: A Career Dedicated to Making Health Visible, Bookended by Two Pandemics

John Brandon Cantrell — Mon, 22 Mar 2021 15:57:17 +0000

Coming Full-Circle: A Career Dedicated to Making Health Visible, Bookended by Two Pandemics John Brandon C… Mon, 03/22/2021 - 11:57

Dr. Germaine Louis gives a patient a COVID-19 vaccine at the Mason and Partners Clinic vaccination event with Prince William Health District on February 23, 2021.

Dr. Germaine Louis began her career in nursing before becoming an epidemiologist.

“It is rewarding to think about taking nursing skills to epi and now epi skills back to nursing,” says Louis.

Topics

coronavirus; covid-19

Epidemiology

Public health leadership