School of Public Health 
Scarletter
March 2022
Photo Credit: Rutgers Digital Asset Library
Keeping the 'Public' in Public Health
National Public Health Week
Public Health is Where You Are
This year’s National Public Health Week (NPHW) theme is “Public Health is Where You Are.” We can make our communities healthier, stronger, and safer.

Each day of National Public Health Week focuses on a particular public health topic and ways each of us can make a difference. These areas are critical to our future success in creating the healthiest nation and everyone can do their part to help.


Be sure to check out NPHW events and webinars here.
27th Annual Public Health Symposium
Kick off National Public Health Week by joining the Rutgers School of Public Health Center for Public Health Workforce Development for the 27th Annual Public Health Symposium, “Takin' It to the Streets: Authentic Communication for Strengthening Trust in Public Health,” 
on April 4, 2022, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Zoom.

The symposium will focus on creative ways that the principles of communications and marketing have been employed in the service of public health and are being used to counter misinformation and distrust in science. Designed for members of the public health workforce and students of public health, participants will leave with tangible guidance for strengthening trust through different communications platforms and with diverse communities.
Our Research
Featured Research & Reports
Receiving psychosocial and behavioral therapy alongside medications for opioid use disorder leads to better treatment engagement and continuity, according to new research by Hillary Samples, assistant professor in the Department of Health Behavior, Society, and Policy and associate director for research at the Center for Health Services Research at the Institute for Health, Health Care Policy, and Aging Research. Learn More

People with chronic kidney disease over the age of 65 who are not candidates for transplant should be given the opportunity to not decide to begin dialysis in order to ensure informed decision-making, according to a new paper co-authored by Paul Duberstein, chair of the Department of Health Behavior, Society and Policy. The paper discusses how physicians can improve care for older adults simply by taking more time to reflect and consider treatment options, rather than immediately defaulting to dialysis, by offering the “Deciding Not to Decide” option. Learn More

Consumer interest and awareness in nicotine pouches – products that contain nicotine but have no tobacco and one of the newest industry products — is growing and they are most popular among younger smokers and those trying to quit, according to Rutgers Center for Tobacco Studies and Rutgers School of Public Health researchers. The study sheds light on little known tobacco products and how they are impacting health, especially among young adult populations. Learn More
 
People who kill themselves with a firearm are more likely to talk about suicide a month before ending their lives than ask for help and seek mental health treatment, according to new research led by New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center and Rutgers School of Public Health faculty. Learn More

*This section highlights select research and reports from the
Rutgers School of Public Health. This is not a complete list.* 
Our People
2022 NJBIZ Health Care Power 50: Perry N. Halkitis 
Perry N. Halkitis, dean of the Rutgers School of Public Health, was honored in this year's NJBIZ Health Care Power 50 list. He joins Rutgers Biomedical Health Sciences Chancellor Brian Strom and Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Dean Robert Johnson.
Alum Named Director of Diverse Scholar Engagement and Advancement
Rutgers School of Public Health alum, Humberto Jimenez, has been appointed as the inaugural Rutgers Biomedical Health Sciences Director of Diverse Scholar Engagement and Advancement.
 
“I have had the privilege of working with so many passionate individuals at Rutgers Biomedical Health Sciences, individuals that have been pushing for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion principles to shape our vision,” says Humberto Jimenez, who is also a clinical assistant professor at the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy. “Our new leadership also believes it's important. I hope to continue pushing toward an environment where faculty, staff, and students from historically marginalized communities can thrive."
Faculty Receives John Slade Award
Cristine Delnevo, professor in the Department of Health Behavior, Society, and Policy and director of the Rutgers Center for Tobacco Studies, received the 2022 John Slade Award from the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco for her outstanding contributions to public health and tobacco control through science-based public policy and public advocacy. Learn More
Center Recognized by National Commission on Health Education Credentialing
Pictured (left to right): Colleen McKay Wharton, MCHES, Cherie Ferguson, Mitchel Rosen, CHES, and Kendra Julien
 The Rutgers School of Public Health’s Center for Public Health Workforce Development has received the 2021 Outstanding Service and Leadership Award in the organizational and employer category from the National Commission on Health Education Credentialing.
Assistant Dean Receives Excellence Award
Michael Vega, assistant dean for student services and alumni affairs, has received the 2022 Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) Student Services Excellence Award.

In his role, Vega oversees advising, student support, career services, student programming, conduct, and alumni relations. Since launching the school’s Office of Student Support Services in 2018, he has unified services across both the school’s Newark and New Brunswick locations. Learn More
Our Reach
Rutgers Giving Day
Image Credit: Canva Stock Images
Your gifts, voice, and passion helped the Rutgers School of Public Health raise over $8,000 on Rutgers Giving Day for scholarships for outstanding public health leaders, scholars, and practitioners focused on areas such as urban, maternal and child, and LGBTQ+ health, as well as environmental health and justice.

Contributing to our success, our fund won the Kick-Off Challenge, receiving one of the first gifts at midnight and a $500 prize. James F. Dougherty, RC’74, GSNB’75, member of the Dean’s Leadership Council, also generously matched our first $2,500 in gifts.
News Clippings
Perry N. Halkitis, dean of the Rutgers School of Public Health, speaks with ABC 7 to discuss the implications of Florida’s “Parental Rights in Education” bill on LGBTQ+ youth. Watch ABC 7

“Pandemics are when epidemics occur in several countries. Endemic refers to an ongoing or sporadic level of disease that exists in the population,” says Leslie M. Kantor, professor and chair of the Department of Urban-Global Public Health when defining an endemic and how current and future COVID-19 practices and policies will be influenced. Read VeryWell Health

Robert Laumbach, associate professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Justice speaks with NBC Philadelphia to explain forever chemicals and his current study that seeks to learn more about an individual’s exposure level and the long-term health effects of these chemicals. Watch NBC Philadelphia
 
A recent New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center study reveals people who commit suicide by firearm are less likely to seek mental health treatment. They often also share their plans for suicide. Read Healio
Alumni April
The Rutgers School of Public Health’s Office of Career Services and student organizations are excited to announce their second-annual Alumni April series! Throughout the month, alumni and students are invited to attend a variety of career panels and networking events to make connections and learn about various public health career pathways and opportunities. Learn more and register for all of the events by visiting the Career Services Connect page.
 
Queering Public Health: LGBTQ+ Health Professionals Navigating their way Through the Workplace
Stonewall Alliance for Health
April 5, 2022, at 5 p.m. EST
 
Diversify Your Public Health Career: A Multicultural Alumni Panel 
Multicultural Student Organization
April 6, 2022, at 5 p.m. EST
 
Exploring Public Health Careers in the Healthcare Management and Policy Sector
Healthcare Management Student Association
April 7, 2022, at 5 p.m. EST
 
Careers in Public Health Policy, Administration, and Community Health 
Career Services
April 11, 2022, at noon EST
 
Volunteering and Beyond 
Volunteer Opportunities in Community Engaged Service
April 11, 2022, at 5 p.m. EST
 
The Pre-Game
Black Public Health Student Alliance
April 12, 2022, at 5 p.m. EST
 
Careers in Environmental and Occupational Health, Training, and Sustainability 
Career Services
April 19, 2022, at 5 p.m. EST
 
Careers in Public Health Research, Assessment, and Compliance
Career Services
April 21, 2022, at 5 p.m. EST
 
Careers in Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and HEOR 
Career Services
April 21, 2022, at noon EST
 
The Link Up 
Public Health Student Alliance
April 26, 2022, at 5 p.m. EST
Admissions Lounge
Image Credit: Raymond Clinkscale
New Programs
Did you know? The Rutgers School of Public Health has launched six new programs and concentrations this year! Our newest programs include:

Upcoming Events

Attend our Virtual Information Session on Thursday, April 21, 2022, from noon – 1 p.m. EST to learn more about all that the Rutgers School of Public Health has to offer, the application process, and ways to strengthen your application. Not able to attend? Check out the Admissions Events webpage for additional opportunities!

Application Deadlines

Applying to the Rutgers School of Public Health? Fall 2022 applications are available now!
 
May 1, 2022, is the deadline to apply for the Master of Public Health and Master of Science programs beginning in fall 2022.
Rutgers Day
Join the Rutgers School of Public Health on Saturday, April 30, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for Rutgers Day! Our tent, located on Busch campus, will feature fun activities for the whole family!
Events
Image Credit: Adobe Stock Photos
Check out the Rutgers School of Public Health's event calendar to learn about and/or join various events hosted, co-hosted, or supported by the School.
Rutgers School of Public Health
683 Hoes Lane West
Piscataway, NJ 08854
732-235-9700
One Riverfront Plaza, Suite 1020
Newark, NJ 07102
973-972-7212