Fall 2020 Edition
The Standard provides timely opportunities for engagement, connection, and paying it forward. Together we can build an extraordinary bridge between our current work and the future of what we can accomplish together. Join us in the pursuit of a healthier, more equitable world.
Public Health in Action
As the pandemic evolves, so does our public health work. Students, alumni, faculty and staff continue to make a difference through their expertise and activism. Locally and globally, members of the Michigan Public Health community lead efforts that help individuals and communities stay healthy and safe. 

Students and alumni are leading efforts internationally and right in our backyard. Prior to graduating this past spring, Marina Haque (MPH ‘20) launched a grassroots movement connecting over 500 members from nearly 70 countries to share innovative, interdisciplinary work addressing the coronavirus. Laura Bauman (MPH ‘99), Epidemiology Program Manager at the Washtenaw County Health Department, discusses the introduction of COVID to the county and the response. 

Faculty and staff are playing an important role in supporting the State of Michigan and the University. Since the earliest days of the pandemic, a team of our faculty have worked in an advisory role with state health officials and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, creating a coronavirus pandemic dashboard and serving on the task force for racial disparities. Thanks to a partnership between the College of Engineering and the School of Public Health, a COVID-19 web app is helping more than 2,500 employers in Michigan stay open and meet state requirements to screen employees each day. Public Health faculty and researchers are monitoring the environment to determine the spread of coronavirus on campus and its relation to infection rates. With the help of seventy-five student volunteer investigators, the School of Public Health has led the development of a contact tracing corps on campus. 

Our work will continue adapting to the coronavirus pandemic. Thank you for your commitment to public health and all that you do to support a healthier, more equitable world. 

Grow connections with your Michigan Public Health community on Public Health Connect and the virtual alumni events just around the corner.
Alumni Events
Tuesday, October 13 | 4:00-5:00 pm

Ahead of the Curve Speaker Series
Resilient Leadership in a Dynamic World

Tonya Allen, MPH and MSW '96, President and CEO of The Skillman Foundation
In our dynamic world, the pursuit of health equity is both valiant and never complete. Generations of public health leaders have devoted themselves to the ultimate goal of a healthier, more equitable world for all.

Bringing contemporary leaders to share their insights, vision, and perseverance is the principle of Ahead of the Curve, a new speaker series from the University of Michigan School of Public Health.

All events are free and open to the public.
Wednesday, October 14 | 4:00-5:00 pm

COVID-19 in Washtenaw County: A Health Equity Series Part 4 - Carceral State

This fourth webinar will take a deeper dive into the effects of COVID-19 on incarcerated individuals and their families and will also provide strategies and resources for reform in the carceral state.
Thursday, October 22 | 4:00-5:00 pm

COVID-19 in Washtenaw County: A Health Equity Series Part 5 - Positive Mental Health

This fifth and final webinar will take a deeper dive into the effects of COVID-19 on mental health and will also provide strategies and resources for vulnerable individuals and groups.
Thursday, October 22 | 7:00-8:00 pm (ET)

Virtual Alumni Event

Connect with your Michigan Public Health community! Hear from Dean Bowman and a panel of faculty experts about work being done during the pandemic both locally and globally, as well as the return to campus.
In the News
Featuring Sharon Kardia, professor of Epidemiology and associate dean for Education

It’s been six months since the state of Michigan first enacted the stay-at-home order on March 23. Sharon Kardia, professor of Epidemiology and associate dean for Education at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, helps us look back at what has happened across the state over the last six months and learn more about two projects from the University of Michigan that helped the state in its response to the pandemic.
Spotlight
Mentorship at Michigan Public Health
Dennis Hussey MPH '76 and Sarah Gharib MS '20

Environmental Health experts connect through the School of Public Health's Student-to-Alumni Mentoring program.


Mentor a student this year (Nov. - Apr.)
Student Profile
Batsheva Honig, Master's student in Health Behavior Health Education and Health Management and Policy, '22

"I’m here to honor my grandmother's legacy by making positive, sustainable change in the healthcare field for the benefit of as many individuals and communities as I can. Donor support enabled me to make the most of my experience. I received funding that left me free to pursue engaged learning and strengthen my foundation as a future public health advocate and leader."
Alumni Profile
Max Salvatore, MPH '17, Epidemiology
Research Area Specialist in the Department of Biostatistics at the School of Public Health

"After graduation I joined Bhramar Mukherjee in a research staff position, where I have since been exposed to incredible new areas of public health research— including analyzing the epidemiologic data from India to make predictions and recommendations as it relates to the continued spread of COVID-19 across the country."

Discover Your Next Endeavor

Now more than ever, the world needs public health. Learn how you can join the public health effort by earning your degree from Michigan Public Health.

Join our Prospective Graduate Student Discovery Series throughout October to explore our degree programs together with faculty, staff, and students.

You, your colleague, your mentee, your friend — you all have the potential to be a future leader in the field of public health. Discover how anyone can pursue an advanced degree online with Michigan Public Health.

Join us on Thursday, October 22 at 7p.m. ET for a virtual Discovery Series session exploring Population and Health Sciences online master’s degree programs. Learn about degrees and admissions, hear from current students and faculty, and leave inspired! Register now.

Population and Health Sciences students come from all backgrounds and join us from around the nation. Learn more about one of our MPH students: Dr. Hanady Daas shares her story of taking on graduate work in public health after years as an MD, and managing life as an infectious disease physician during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Michigan Public Health applications for Fall 2021 are now open. Have questions? Our admissions team can always be reached at sph-inquiries@umich.edu.
Additional Resources
1. The Region V Public Health Training Center seeks to strengthen the skills of the current and future public health workforce through continuing education and skills gap training.
  • Stay connected through live and recorded broadcasts of Michigan Public Health events.
  • Improve your resume and grow your skills through webinars and self-paced online training.
  • Stay current through new trainings, added monthly. Join our mailing list to stay up to date!

2. Michigan Online: Free Online Courses for Alumni
All University of Michigan alumni, students, faculty, and staff may earn free verified certificates in 200+ online courses. Gain new skills in python programming, successful negotiation, teaching, statistics, social justice, and more!

3. Michigan Public Health Careers is an online job search portal available to all Michigan Public Health alumni. Use this resource to search and apply for opportunities within the field of public health. To share employment opportunities, projects, internships and fellowships with alumni and current students, please send us an email.
PURSUE CONNECTION
University of Michigan School of Public Health
Office of Development and Alumni Engagement
734-764-8093