Healthy News

January 2011
Volume 3, Issue 1

Announcing Health People 2020: The National
Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Agenda
Last month the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services unveiled Healthy People 2020, the nation’s roadmap and compass for better health, providing our society a vision for improving both the quantity and quality of life for all Americans through health promotion and disease prevention. For the last 30 years, Healthy People has been committed to improving the quality of our Nation’s health by providing a framework for public health prevention priorities and actions. Many of the risk factors that contribute to the development of these diseases are preventable. Healthy People 2020 is the Healthy People initiative is grounded in the principle that setting national objectives and monitoring progress can motivate action, and indeed, in just the last decade, preliminary analyses indicate that the country has either progressed toward or met 71 percent of its Healthy People targets.
“The launch of Healthy People 2020 comes at a critical time,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “Our challenge and opportunity is to avoid preventable diseases from occurring in the first place.” Chronic diseases, such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes, are responsible for seven out of every 10 deaths among Americans each year and account for 75 percent of the nation’s health spending.
HHS is also launching a newly redesigned Healthy People website that allows users to tailor information to their needs and explore evidence-based resources for implementation. The website is located at www.healthypeople.gov.
Concurrent with the launching of Healthy People 2010, HHS also launched myHealthyPeople Application Development Challenge with the goal of making it easy for users to keep up with Healthy People and combine related data in meaningful ways. For more information about my-HealthyPeople go to www.challenge.gov.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Health Older Adults Preparedness Sleep Health Social Determinants of Health
Healthy People is also issuing a special challenge to encourage developers to create easy-to-use applications for professionals who are working with the new national health objectives and state- and community-level health data.
“This milestone in disease prevention and health promotion creates an opportunity to leverage information technology to make Healthy People come alive for all Americans in their communities and workplaces,” said Chief Technology Officer Todd Park. “The „myHealthyPeople‟ apps challenge will help spur innovative approaches to helping communities track their progress using Healthy People objectives and targets as well as develop an agenda for health improvement.”
HHS is also launching a newly redesigned Healthy People Web site that allows users to tailor information to their needs and explore evidence-based resources for implementation. The Web site is located at: www.healthypeople.gov. For more information about myHealthyPeople, go to www.challenge.gov/

Inside this issue
Advisor of the month……….2
F.R.E.A.K.S.
update………...3
Important Dates……..4
Best Jobs in America……….4
Important Dates……………..4

Students in the Public Health Department are encouraged to take advantage of the following resources:
The Writing Center is designed as resource for any student looking for help on writing project. The writing center offers one-on-one tutoring and accepts online submissions for feedback. They may be reached at 278.0334.
The Graduate Writing Studio is available in the Thomas Building in Room 121c Monday to Thursday 4-7 p.m. and Fridays 3-5 p.m. You may reach them at 278.2448.
Community Health Advisors:
Dr. Helda Pinzon-Perez (A-G)
Dr. Greg Thatcher (H-M)
Dr. Kara Zografos (N-S)
Dr. Vicki Krenz (T-Z)
Health Administration Advisors:
Dr. Suzanne Kotkin-Jaszi (A-I)
Dr. Mohammad Rahman (J-Q)
Dr. Don Matlosz (R-Z)
E.O.H.S. Advisors:
Dr. Sandi Donohue (A-M)
Dr. Michael Waite (N-Z)

Congratulations Faculty and Students

“I am honored to receive this award. Being the SPHA advisor is one of the most rewarding aspects of my job.”
-Kara Zografos

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Dr. Kara Zografos was selected as Advisor of the Month for November 2010, she is the first faculty member at Fresno State to receive this recognition. Zografos’ selection was based on recommendations from the Student Public Health Association (SPHA). Zografos does more than just attending meetings; she volunteers side by side with club members and is never too busy to assist with club activities. Every month our club volunteers in various places and Zografos always arrives on time and is willing to get her hands dirty with the club members. Zografos goes above and beyond what is expected and does a perfect job of supporting and guiding club members.
Dr. Suzanne Kotkin-Jaszi has been recognized as one of the winners for the August 2010 Syllabus Redesign Contest. In announcing the recognition, Professor Ida Jones wrote “[You] did an outstanding job in creating your rubrics or explaining student expectations. Your commitment to improvement serves as an example for all of us.”
Part-time faculty member, Sean Johnson, has been selected as the Emergency Preparedness Officer for the City of Fresno. This is a two year staff assignment in the fire department and he will be reporting directly to the fire chief and will work with department heads, politicians, local leaders and the military.
Dr. Helda Pinzon-Perez and Dr. Miguel A. Perez have earned the designation of Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES). In informing them of the new designation, Blossom Paravattil from the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc wrote “This credential reflects your commitment to expanding your skills and knowledge through health education professional development.” They are part of the first cohort of individuals designated as MCHES at the national level.
Dr. Sandra Donohue is returning from a Fall 2010 Sabbatical. She will be presenting results from her experience at the March faculty meeting.
Dr. Chris Tennant is on Sabbatical during the Spring 2011 semester. He will be working on enhancements to his Environmental Health classes.
Michelle Alcantara, Edward Boyle, and Katie Etcheverria have been selected to participate in the Directors of Public Health Education/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention internship. Congratulations on your selection for this nationally competitive program.

F.R.E.A.K.S.
(Finding Responsible and Entertaining Activities on Kampus)

F.R.E.A.K.S. will be holding board gaming nights on Friday’s this semester at the Student Union starting at 5 PM.
All are welcome! No previous experience required.
There will be food and open gaming. Feel free to play our games or bring your own if you wish. See you there!

FOCUS ON OUR STUDENTS
My name is Michelle Feliciano Alcantara. I am a senior with a major in Public Health - Community Health. I have many goals I wish to accomplish in life and continually strive to reach them with every passing day. It is never easy to do so, but I work hard and try my best by studying and taking every opportunity that may come my way. Although I may have my ups and downs, I know that the time I spent for each effort was time well spent and moved me closer to my goals. Thus, I truly believe that working hard during this internship from CDC will have my goals, and a successful future, closer at hand.
Ed Note: Michelle is one of the students selected for the DHPE/CDC internship during the Spring 2011 semester.

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FOCUS ON CAREER OUTLOOK

Pay
Median pay (experienced)	$71,000
Top pay	$99,000
Opportunity
10-year job growth (2008-2018)	28%
Total jobs (current)	30,000
Quality of life ratings
Personal satisfaction	A
Job security	B
Future growth	B
Benefit to society	B
Low stress	C
Flexibility	A

In the November 2010 issue, cnnmoney.com identified Environmental Health & Safety Specialist as #22 in their best jobs in America listing.
Environmental health and safety specialist conducts research or performs investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or the health of the population. Utilizing knowledge of various scientific disciplines may collect, synthesize, study, report, and take action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources.

“Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” -John Dewey

Important dates

SAVE THE DATE

January 19-Instruction Begins
February 1-Last day to add and drop classes without a permission number
February 15– Last day to add with a permission
February 15– Last day to drop without a serious and compelling reason.
March– TBA COMP EXAM
March 4-10. Public Health Week
April 15-17– Vintage Days
April 18-22-Spring Break
April 24-Easter
April 25-Registration Begins for Fall 2011 semester
May 11-Last day of Instruction
May 12-13– Consultation Days
May 16-19-Final Exams
May 21—University Commencement

Spring 2011
Department Graduation
Our department graduation will be held at Grand Occasions on:
May 20, 2011.
Stay tuned for more information.

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