Monday, December 7, 2015
Alumni Spotlight: Carrie Rheingans ‘11
In one word, Carrie describes her job as "collaborative". Watch this short video to learn more!
Alumni Spotlight: Michelle Segar ‘97
In this short video, Michelle Segar discusses her current job and her new book, "No Sweat: How the Simple Science of Motivation Can Bring You a Lifetime of Fitness".
HBHE Reunited: Photos from the APHA Reception in Chicago
Thank you to all who came to the HBHE Staying Connected Reception at Tapas Valencia!
Thank an Alum: Current Student Adam Eickmeyer thanks HBHE Alum Jose Bauermeister '04
Current Student Adam Eickmeyer thanks HBHE Alum José Bauermeister '04
My plan was to do my undergraduate studies at U-M and
earn my BS in biochemistry, then go right into medical school. Along with my
own personal and academic development, I would have never guessed that a presentation
on sex education by José Bauermeister would help me to take a little detour
while on that path.
Rewind.
During undergrad, I was dealing with accepting my sexuality,
and used research on LGBTQ health as an outlet. In 2013 I attended the Sujal M.
Parikh Memorial Symposium for Health and Social Justice, and met José after he
gave a talk on comprehensive sex education. I remember making my friend
awkwardly wait in the room after the presentation while I went and talked to
José to learn more about him. That turned into a meeting with him a short while
later, where we discussed how HBHE could fit into my goals. I had confirmed my
interest in public health. I applied to the Sequential Undergraduate/Graduate
Studies Program (4+1), and got in. I was so excited to be a part of this program!
I told José that I was accepted, and he said he would have a job waiting for me
at the SexLab once I started the program.
Again, I didn’t realize how much working with José in the SexLab would
impact my time in the MPH program.
José has also taught me that while working diligently and
being productive in academia is important, it’s also crucial to support the
people that you work with. Without a functioning team, the work can’t get done.
He has supported me as I led a systematic review on homophobic bullying,
learned how to work with qualitative data, and grappled with my future life
plans. But he also supported me in times of personal crisis, providing a
shoulder to cry on and a listening ear.
I never got my degree in biochemistry. Instead, I created my
own undergraduate major to study determinants and inequities in health
care. I decided to pursue public health
because of my interest in LGBTQ health inequities and social justice. While I
am still planning to attend medical school, public health has become a central
part of who I am, and I hope it will remain so as I complete the rest of my
training. I am so fortunate to have met such a generous person along the way.
He is a tireless advocate for health equity for marginalized populations, and
is someone that I will look up to throughout my career. Because of him, I will
be a better physician, a better researcher, and a better person. Thank you, José.
HBHE Welcomes a New Faculty Member!
Get to know Dr. Roshanak Mehdipanah as she answers 5 questions about her life, career and research.
1. What is the focus of your current research?
My research focuses on three areas: built environment, urban health equity and mixed-methods. I focus on how the physical and social environments affect different populations through a health equity perspective.
I am currently working on a health equity assessment (Urban HEART tool) of the city of Detroit in a project funded by the World Health Organization. The purpose is to work closely with community based organizations, established through the Healthy Environments Partnership project, to identify equity gaps in the city in order to develop response strategies.
2. Why is this interesting to you?
Since my undergraduate years, I was very interested in studying the relationship and interaction between people and places. I remember looking at maps that highlighted various indicators like income and diabetes and was just fascinated with how these gradients existed within a city.
3. Who or what inspires you?
The communities I work with have always played a large role in how I approach my research. That is why I am always drawn to methods like community-based participatory research and their ability to bring communities and research together. I have also been really lucky to work with prominent researchers in the field of social determinants of health and their work continues to inspire me.
4. When you're not working, what do you like to do?
I love exploring. When I was little, my mom and I would get into the car and point at an area on the map and drive out there to explore. I think that has stayed with me and whenever I get a chance, I like to go out to different areas in a city or visit a neighboring town. I am also a huge foodie and have to admit some of that exploring tends to be around a new restaurant or cafe I want to try.
5. What did you want to be when you were a kid?
My parents always laughed at me because I would change my mind every day from being an astronaut to being a doctor depending on what I had read or seen that day. However, going through school, I think it became clear to me that I wanted to continue in the sciences and my favorite courses were biology and health.
Watch the short video below to learn more about Dr Mehdipanah's research!
1. What is the focus of your current research?My research focuses on three areas: built environment, urban health equity and mixed-methods. I focus on how the physical and social environments affect different populations through a health equity perspective.
I am currently working on a health equity assessment (Urban HEART tool) of the city of Detroit in a project funded by the World Health Organization. The purpose is to work closely with community based organizations, established through the Healthy Environments Partnership project, to identify equity gaps in the city in order to develop response strategies.
2. Why is this interesting to you?
Since my undergraduate years, I was very interested in studying the relationship and interaction between people and places. I remember looking at maps that highlighted various indicators like income and diabetes and was just fascinated with how these gradients existed within a city.
3. Who or what inspires you?
The communities I work with have always played a large role in how I approach my research. That is why I am always drawn to methods like community-based participatory research and their ability to bring communities and research together. I have also been really lucky to work with prominent researchers in the field of social determinants of health and their work continues to inspire me.
4. When you're not working, what do you like to do?
I love exploring. When I was little, my mom and I would get into the car and point at an area on the map and drive out there to explore. I think that has stayed with me and whenever I get a chance, I like to go out to different areas in a city or visit a neighboring town. I am also a huge foodie and have to admit some of that exploring tends to be around a new restaurant or cafe I want to try.
5. What did you want to be when you were a kid?
My parents always laughed at me because I would change my mind every day from being an astronaut to being a doctor depending on what I had read or seen that day. However, going through school, I think it became clear to me that I wanted to continue in the sciences and my favorite courses were biology and health.
Watch the short video below to learn more about Dr Mehdipanah's research!
Your Feedback Requested on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in HBHE
University of Michigan President Mark Schlissel is calling upon the campus community to use its vast intellectual and planning resources to develop U-M's first comprehensive strategic plan for diversity, equity and inclusion.
As part of this effort, each department at U-M SPH will be developing their own five-year plan which will be synthesized in to a comprehensive U-M plan.
You can learn more about President Schlissel's Charge on the Office of the President's website.
As valued alumni of HBHE, we welcome your input and ideas as we engage in this strategic planning process.
We have created a Google Form which you can use to anonymously submit your comments about how the department can best respond to the President's initiative on diversity, equity and inclusion.
Thank you for engaging in this valuable process with us!
As part of this effort, each department at U-M SPH will be developing their own five-year plan which will be synthesized in to a comprehensive U-M plan.
You can learn more about President Schlissel's Charge on the Office of the President's website.
As valued alumni of HBHE, we welcome your input and ideas as we engage in this strategic planning process.
We have created a Google Form which you can use to anonymously submit your comments about how the department can best respond to the President's initiative on diversity, equity and inclusion.
Thank you for engaging in this valuable process with us!
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