OU Public Health Magazine Fall 2022

Dr. Kerstin M. Reinschmidt

Last fall, the Hudson College of Public Health at The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center published The Pandemic Paradox. The magazine featured several stories about COVID-19-related work of the college’s faculty.

Dr. Kerstin M. Reinschmidt, who serves as a R6-SCPHTC CBT partner and member of the Oklahoma Public Health Training Center (OPHTC), was one of the faculty members featured in the article "Championing Community Health Workers in Oklahoma."

Having worked with community health worker (CHW) interventions, programs, and workforce development since 2002, Dr. Reinschmidt turned her attention to the role of CHWs in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic as it reached Oklahoma in early 2020. Dr. Reinschmidt prepared a resource guide for CHWs related to the pandemic, gave presentations and webinars, and conducted two surveys on the impact of COVID-19 on the CHW workforce.

A brief version of the article can be accessed here.

Beyond the pandemic, Dr. Reinschmidt and the Oklahoma Public Health Training Center are committed to supporting the CHW workforce in Oklahoma through trainings and advocacy.

SFC Glenn S. Hargett

SFC Glenn Hargett is a Masters qualified Military Emergency Management Specialist. Hargett is a full-time crew leader in a mid Atlantic state who serves in a state Department of Transportation Tunnel Incident Response Team, for a critical infrastructure within the transportation sector. 

SFC Glenn Hargett is currently working on his Emergency Management "Advanced Professional Development Certification." Hargett is also in the process of becoming a Military Emergency Management Instructor.

How did you hear about the Tulane Learning Management System?

I found the Tulane Learning Management System via a web search for learning and CUE's that offer enhanced learning opportunities in Public Health and Emergency Management/Disaster Response. When the Tulane LMS came up in my search result, I was ecstatic! Tulane is an excellent academic institution and a leader in public health and research. Tulane has a rich history and is one of the best schools in Public Health Education. When I discovered the trainings are offered free of charge, I couldn't wait to enroll.

What’s the best thing about the trainings on the Tulane LMS?

The Tulane Learning Management System is very user-friendly and the courses are well organized. The 24/7/365 access to the Tulane LMS has been very extremely beneficial; this on-demand model has allowed me to take several courses despite my busy schedule.

How have the trainings been beneficial to you?

I am currently working on my Advanced Emergency Management Professional Development certificate and "All Hazards" Qualification. Due to a personal situation, I am not able to attend traditional in-person courses or synchronous online courses. The Tulane LMS program has served as much needed, decompression opportunity. I am very thankful for the Tulane LMS as it has helped me continue my education despite having a very busy schedule. I have enjoyed taking several of the course bundles (e.g. First Responder Preparedness, Environmental Public Health Online Courses - EPHOC.)

Thank you for being our March 2023 Tulane LMS Learner of the Month,

SFC Glenn Hargett!

2023 TACCHO Annual Public Health Conference

The Texas Association of City and County Health Officials (TACCHO) held its

2023 Annual Public Health Conference on February 27-28, 2023 in Frisco, Texas. The key focus of this year’s conference was health equity. Specific strategies used to improve health disparities (at local and state levels)

were presented at the conference.

Dr. LuAnn White, Co-Principal Investigator of the Region 6 South Central Public Health Training Center, along with Dr. Jasmine Opusunju, Executive Director of

CAN DO Houston and Professor at Baylor University and Dr. Mandy Hill, Associate Professor and Director of Population Health in Emergency Medicine, UT Houston SPH, participated in a heath equity panel discussion. During the discussion, each panelist was able to provide background on health disparities and health equity and emphasize the importance of community engagement and partnerships to enhance health equity.

Daylight Saving Time (DST) will begin at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 12, 2023.

Don't forget to move your clocks forward one hour before going to bed on Saturday, March 11, 2023.

Struggle with the time change? We've compiled a list of tips and suggestions to help ease the transition to Daylight Saving Time. See below.

March is Women's History Month. The Region 6 South Central Public Health Training Center acknowledges and celebrates the important contributions that women have made to society throughout history. R6-SCPHTC recognizes the ongoing struggles for gender equality and advocate for the empowerment of women.

Women's History Month is a time to celebrate the progress that has been made towards gender equality and to commit to creating a more just and equitable society for all women.

For more on Women's History Month, please click here.

The new Ph.D. in Health Equity Sciences degree provided by The University of New Mexico’s College of Population Health integrates the rich history of public health, with the newer discipline of population health as well as human and social sciences to provide graduates with a rigorous competency-based degree. Concentrations are available in Global Health Equity and Policy, Community Health Education, and Community Based Participatory Research, with a partnership in joint programming with New Mexico State University for concentrations in Epidemiology and Biostatistics. The advanced comprehensive training will prepare graduates for positions in settings such as local, state, federal, and global governmental and non-governmental agencies, public health and social justice organizations, health care provider organizations, and higher learning institutions. If you are interested in this program, please contact the Manager of Academic Advising, Daniel Noriega-Lucero at dnoriegalucero@salud.unm.edu.

Founded in 1889, The University of New Mexico is New Mexico's flagship R1 research-intensive institution occupying nearly 800 acres near historic Route 66 in the heart of Albuquerque, a metropolitan area of more than 500,000 people. UNM is one of only nine R1 Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) universities in the country. Albuquerque is one of the oldest cities in the United States and boasts a unique multicultural history and heritage where cultural influences of Native Americans, Hispanics and Latinos, African Americans, and other communities of color are a part of everyday life. Known for its 310 days of sunshine, Albuquerque is a prime location for outdoor activities such as biking, climbing, hiking, skiing, and more! Along with its rich history, Albuquerque offers world-class visual and performing arts, cuisines from countries all over the world, and of course, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

Course Spotlight:

Medical Needs Sheltering

Course Description:

This course introduces specific topics and outlines criteria related to the establishment of medical needs sheltering. The Medical Needs Sheltering course was originally developed for the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) State Medical Needs Shelter (SMNS) team members as part of their annual training. The course provides an overview of policies and procedures related to how an SMNS operates, shelter staff roles and responsibilities, the types of residents admitted to the shelter, and existing SMNS resources in Mississippi. The course curriculum also addresses staff preparation, activation, deployment, demobilization, and other logistical considerations during an event.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe a State Medical Needs Shelter (SMNS)
• Differentiate the duties and job responsibilities of staff members that make up a SMNS
• Understand how a SMNS operates during activation, facility setup, triage and admissions, and deactivation
• Identify the appropriate forms that are used in a SMNS

For more information about

this training, please click here.

Featured Course Bundle:

Environmental Health in Disasters

The Environmental Health in Disasters course bundle provides an introduction and the fundamentals to risk assessment and environmental health in disasters. In addition, special topics such environmental health in emergency shelters, environmental sampling and environmental monitoring are presented throughout this program.

Trainings in the Environmental Health in

Disasters course bundle include:

• Fundamentals of Health Risk Assessment in Public Health
• Introduction to Human Health Risk Assessment
• Environmental Health Issues in Disasters
• Environmental Sampling and Monitoring in a Disaster
• Environmental Health and Shelters

For more info about the Environmental Health in Disasters course bundle,

click here.