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! 

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!

Video: What are HBHE faculty like outside of the classroom? (version 2.0)

Back by popular demand! Continuing to get to know HBHE faculty in a new way

Thank an Alum: Lydia Ahlum Hanson '12

RECENT MPH GRAD THANKS '12 HBHE ALUM

I met Lydia while working on a project for Dr. Gary Harper's program development class. I had no idea at the time that she would play such an integral role in my life as a preceptor, mentor, and friend. When I first started my MPH program in HBHE, it wasn't clear to me exactly what a career in public health focused on improving the health of transgender communities could truly look like. I had ideas about the kind of work I wanted to do, but I couldn't picture how all of the pieces fit together. Meeting Lydia not only led to an incredible internship experience, and now a contractual position, but also gave me the opportunity to better envision my career in public health. 

 During my internship at Affirmations, Metro Detroit's Community Center for LGBT People and their Allies, I worked with Lydia on a project to develop a two-day training for nurses on LGBTQ+ health. It was clear to me from the beginning of my internship that although Lydia was my preceptor, my role was truly as a partner in the project. I was given many opportunities throughout my internship to be involved in as many aspects of this project, and others, as was feasible. Lydia was there every step of the way offering her support and wisdom, at the same time valuing my ideas and feedback. 

 Lydia not only challenged me to use my skills and think critically about the work we were doing, she encouraged me to develop confidence in my role as a public health professional. There were many instances throughout my internship when I was asked to do things I wasn't sure I knew how to do. Lydia had high expectations for me, but I also knew that she believed in my ability, which made taking risks during my internship possible. She expanded my network by introducing me to many key stakeholders working to improve the health of LGBTQ+ communities in Michigan and has most recently presented me with an opportunity to work as a Tobacco Projects Consultant for Affirmations. 

 Lydia engages in public health work with integrity, insight and immense skill. It is very clear that she has a huge impact and is a highly respected leader in her field when speaking with anyone who has been fortunate enough to work with her. I feel incredibly lucky to have had such a chance and look forward to working with, and learning from, Lydia in the future. Thank you, Lydia, for all of your hard work improving the lives of LGBTQ+ communities in Michigan. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a part of that work. 

Thank you for each and every conversation we have had about privilege, social justice, and community-centered engagement. Thank you for helping me find my way. 

Elliot Popoff, MPH '15

Photo Slideshow & Video: Graduation 2015

The 2015 School of Public Health graduation was held April 30, 2015 at 3:00 pm in Hill Auditorium

This year's graduation speaker, Sekou Andrews, is an award-winning and internationally acclaimed poetic voice, Sekou creates personalized poetic presentations to inspire and engage audiences. He is the creator and leader of this cutting-edge category of speaking, which combines strategic storytelling, inspirational speaking, spoken word poetry, and the power of theater and comedy to make events into experiences, and transform listeners into responders. Sekou does more than inspire us with his story; he inspires us with our story.

SPH Graduation 2015 Photos: CLICK HERE

Host an HBHE Intern Anywhere In The World

This summer, over 80 HBHE MPH students are interning at sites across 11 states and 15 countries. Students are placed in a diverse array of sectors and bring skills such as program planning, evaluation, research methods, health education, motivational interviewing, community based participatory research, and health communication, among many others!

Could a summer intern from HBHE be an asset to your organization? We would love to connect with you and explore the possibilities. If you are interested, please fill out the short form below and we will be in touch!

You can also contact Kiran Szekeres, the Director of Internships and Alumni Relations via kiransd@umich.edu to learn more.

Instant Poll: Which Public Health Topic Best Defines Your Daily Work?

HBHE Faculty in the Spotlight

1. Dr. Brian Zikmund-Fisher was selected to receive the 2015 Henry Russel Award. This award, which recognizes both exceptional scholarship and conspicuous ability as a teacher, is one of the highest honors the University bestows upon members of its faculty who are in the early stages of their career.

2. Dr. Linda Chatters received the 2015 Harold R. Johnson Diversity Service Award. This award was established in 1996 in honor of the former Dean of the School of Social Work, Harold R. Johnson. It recognizes University of Michigan faculty members on the Ann Arbor campus who have exhibited outstanding leadership in the area of cultural diversity. Linda’s contributions to the multicultural mission of the University have been extensive and of extraordinary caliber. Linda is highly deserving of this award, given her leadership and mentorship of faculty and students alike in the promotion of diversity.

3. Dr. Jose Bauemeister was awarded the 2015 University of Michigan School of Public Health Excellence in Teaching Award. This award recognizes faculty members who have made an exceptional contribution to teaching and mentoring U-M SPH students.

4. The Golden Apple Award is the only student nominated award that recognizes outstanding University teaching. HBHE is proud to announce that Dr. Frank Anderson, Dr. Gary Harper and Dr. Brian Zikmund-Fisher were all nominated for this prestigious award this year.

Video: Ever wondered what HBHE faculty were like before becoming professors?

Watch this 2 minute video to find out about their teenage years...

HBHE welcomes new Director of Internships and Alumni Relations

I am pleased to announce that Kiran Szekeres, MPH,will be our new Director of Internships and Alumni Relations beginning in January as Nancy Willard relocates to California with her family.  We appreciate all of the time, energy, and creativity that Nancy has invested in the HBHE student experience.  She truly has made a lasting and positive impact, particularly with the internship process and our professional development courses.  We wish her all the best with her move. She will be greatly missed!

Kiran is a 2007 graduate of Northwestern University’s anthropology program, and a 2009 graduate of our MPH program.  She completed her internship with the Will County Health Department where she led a community education initiative to prevent childhood lead poisoning during ‘DIY’ home renovations.  While a student, she was an active volunteer with Project Health Schools, a school-based program to reduce childhood obesity and its long-term health risks.