HBHE Chair
Dear HBHE Alumni, students, and staff,
The Fall 2008 semester is well underway, and I have much to report.
First, I'd like to congratulate the HBHE faculty and students on their outstanding accomplishments this year.
Mark Padilla's book Caribbean Pleasure Industry: Tourism, Sexuality, and AIDS in the Dominican Republic, has been awarded the 2008 Ruth Benedict Prize by the Society of Lesbian and Gay Anthropologists.
In addition, I'd like to congratulate Barbara Israel, who along with her colleagues Geni Eng (UNC Chapel Hill) and Meredith Minkler (UC Berkeley), received the 2008 Tom Bruce Award from the Community Based Public Health Caucus of APHA during this year's APHA meeting in San Diego. Congratulations also goes to Neal Krause who was awarded a Collegiate Professorship for his exceptional contributions to research, teaching, and service since he arrived at Michigan over 20 years ago. I would also like to welcome Dr. Kristopher Chrishon as the Cornely Postdoctoral Fellow.
I am pleased to report that our students are taking full advantage of the many opportunities available to them here at HBHE. About 125 HBHE students participated in the Practice Plunge, sponsored by the Office of Public Health Practice. Many have joined the HBHESA mentorship program, where they are teamed up with a second year student to help their way through life at Michigan. Returning students shared their internship experiences at the Annual SPH Poster Session. We also had 7 students who participated in our pilot Field Experience in Latin America (FELA) program. The students worked in Panama, the Dominican Republic, and Colombia working on issues ranging from HIV prevention, renal failure, mental health, poverty and education. The students specifically worked on evaluation, program planning and grant writing.
Finally, I'd like to thank all of our alum who attended our 4th Annual Staying Connected Alumni Reception at APHA in San Diego. There were over 50 alumni, students and faculty in attendance, and I can attest to the terrific tapas restaurant with delicious food! For those who could not join us this year, I hope you can stop in next time.
Stay in Touch!