Loyola MPH Program

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Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Michigan Senate Passes Medicaid Expansion 20-18 by PEEELing away the Issues

Last night, the Michigan Senate approved a bill to expand Medicaid to an estimated 400,000 individuals without health insurance. Recall that while the Supreme Court decision upheld the constitutionality of the individual mandate to purchase health insurance under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the provision that required expansion of Medicaid was deemed optional for the states. Following this landmark and controversial decision, opponents and proponents of the ACA took their fight to the states, where the arguments were spelled out in what has become an all-too-familiar dichotomy. On the one hand, proponents argue, there is an ethical imperative to assure the provision of affordable, accessible, and acceptable healthcare for every individual. Opponents counter with the unaffordable cost that is absorbed by state governments and, by extension, the taxpayers to include over 17 million more individuals over the course of the next decade.

Those arguments, however, are only two aspects of the policy conundrum, highlighting ethical and economic incentives, but overlooking the powerful role of politics in establishing health policy. The vote passed by a narrow margin of 2 votes with Michigan joining 21 other states that have opted into the Medicaid expansion. Moreover, Governor Rick Snyder was certainly not lockstep with party politics as he became the sixth Republican governor to preside over governments that favored the expansion.

Process matters. An amusing sidebar in these developments is that the initial vote was 19-18 with Sen. Patrick Colbeck abstaining. In doing so, a 20-vote majority was not obtained for passage. Consequently, a majority of senators had to approve a motion to reconsider the measure, and subsequently adopt an amendment that would limit hospital charges for uninsured patients. That would lead Senator Tom Casperson to change his vote to “yes,” thereby securing the 20-vote majority necessary for passage. Click here for a history of House and Senate actions

As we learned in our introductory course, public health policymaking entails a nuanced treatment of issues that requires us to “PEEEL” away the different layers of ‘politics, economics, epidemiology, ethics, and law.’ A sound knowledge of politics, the costs at stake, the distribution of illness or related proxies of health status (here, the scope of the uninsured), the moral imperative to assure access to care, and legislative process were all at play for proponents of the bill to successfully muster the requisite votes. This turn of events illustrates the complexity of issues and the confidence we have in training you as interdisciplinary policy advocates to identify issues and opportunities to advance population health.

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

University of Illinois at Chicago Diabetes & Obesity Research Day

Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Diabetes and Obesity are major causes of morbidity and mortality and impact all disciplines of Medicine. This meeting will bring together researchers and train-ees to share new knowledge and identify opportunities for collaboration and research targeting Diabetes and Obesity.

Registration and Abstract Submission:
Attendance and abstracts are invited from students, housestaff, graduate students, post-doctoral fellows and faculty in all disciplines at UIC and other institutions. To register and/or submit abstracts, please contact Pam Terrell, terrell@uic.edu by September 30, 2013.

Presentations:
Keynote Lectures & Oral Talks: 1:00 - 5:00 PM
Moss Auditorium, 1020 COMRB
909 S. Wolcott, Chicago, IL

Reception & Poster Session: 5:00 - 7:00 PM
COM Faculty & Alumni Lounge CMW 119
1856 W. Polk Street, Chicago, IL

Monday, August 26, 2013

Save the date! Public Health Leadership Day Saturday, Sept 28th

Come to the MPH program's First Public Health Leadership Day. It will be held in Room 150 at the Loyola Stritch School of Medicine on September 28 (Saturday) from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm and includes a light breakfast from 8 to 8:30 am and catered lunch.

Featuring information and training on:
1. How to write a resume for public health employment
2. How to look for jobs in public health
3. Public Health professionalism
4. Team building skills
5. Public speaking

The day will also include speakers from local public health agencies describing what they do and what they look for in job applicants.

Please contact Holly Kramer at hkramer@lumc.edu to RSVP or for more information

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Research Coordinator Position-East Coast

Healthy Kids Out of School is an initiative of ChildObesity180 that works with nine national out-of-school-time (OST) organizations to help improve standards for nutrition and physical activity. We are seeking a research coordinator to assist with the regional implementation of our Healthy Kids Out of School initiative in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. Funded by a grant from the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation, ChildObesity180 is implementing and evaluating a three-year nutrition and physical activity intervention for nine out-of-school organizations in Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.

The Research Coordinator will assist with the implementation of a community-based environmental change intervention to prevent obesity, with a focus on out-of-school-time programs.

Basic Requirements: Bachelor's and 2-3 years of related experience, a valid driver’s license, Ability to handle and dissect rodents, Excellent communications skills, both verbal and written, highly organized and the ability to occasionally lift 25 pounds with or without accommodation.

Preferred Qualifications: Master's degree in nutrition, public health, or a related discipline with 1-3 years' experience, Excellent phone and written communication skills, Experience working directly with research subjects in the field, Experience with IRB protocols, recruitment, spreadsheet management, exceptional organizational skills, ability to juggle and prioritize multiple tasks and deadlines

For more information, please click here: 2119 Research Coordinator

Monday, August 19, 2013

MPH interns wanted

Heartland Alliance is seeking Masters of Public Health interns in in Hyde Park/Jackson Park, Englewood, Chicago Heights, and Uptown/Boystown. They can offer field work, testing and counseling, CDC and CDPH data entry opportunities to name a few. 

Contact Phillip N. Lambert, Jr.
773-751-4003

Friday, August 16, 2013

NIA Job Posting

The Individual Behavioral Processes Branch (IBP) in the Division of Behavioral and Social Research (BSR) of the National Institute on Aging (NIA) is recruiting a dynamic and experienced psychological or behavioral scientist with academic training and expertise related to behavioral medicine, mechanisms of behavior change, and the design and conduct of behavioral and/or community interventions. To express your interest, send the following documents by electronic mail to Farheen Akbar (farheen.akbar@nih.gov):
  • Cover letter describing your expertise and interest in directing a behavioral science research program at the NIA;
  • Curriculum vitae, including professional references; and,
  • One first-authored journal publication relevant to the expertise sought.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This is a pre-announcement of the vacancy. A formal position announcement will be posted on www.usajobs.gov and applications must be submitted through that website to be considered. Please check that website regularly for updated postings, as positions are only open for 10 days.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

CDC Job Posting

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is actively recruiting for the position of Director for the Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology and Laboratory Services (CSELS)(proposed). CSELS is a new center within CDC that will coordinate public health actions to promote surveillance, informatics, epidemiology, public health workforce development and laboratory services.

MD’s, PhDs, and equivalent should apply before midnight EDT on 9/13/2013 by clicking here

Questions should be directed to Vicki Hunter at 404.808.8321 or vhunter@cdc.gov

3 job postings in Los Angeles, California

Please see job postings below for the Nutrition Education Obesity Prevention grant.
Worksite Analyst (click here)
Program Analyst (click here)
Assistant Program Analyst (click here)

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Director of Public Health for Calaveras County, California

Calaveras County, California is recruiting for the position of Director of Public Health.

For more info click here

Wellness Director in Fresno, CA

The Wellness Director provides high-level strategic direction and is responsible for the day-to-day management and organization of the employee wellness program. The wellness program is a site-based, employee driven program serving approximately 12,200 lives with a planned expansion to reach 25,000 lives by 2016. This position includes the management and oversight of district-wide wellness activities, wellness committee, program budget, vendor(s), volunteers, documentation, and evaluation. This role will be heavily involved in the evaluation of programs, as well as the creation of new programs. The Wellness Director reports directly to the WellPATH Committee.

The opportunity requires strong project management experience, considerable knowledge of the practices and procedures involved in designing and implementing employee wellness programs, and the ability to work efficiently in a self-directed work environment. There is a competitive salary and benefits package for the selected candidate. Applicants are encouraged to apply by August 20, 2013.

Click here for more info.

Saturday, August 10, 2013

Epidemiologist Santa Clara, California

The Community Health Partnership was founded in 1993 to support the growing needs of community health centers and clinics. Community health centers and clinics provide a critical “safety net” of health care services for the most vulnerable residents in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties. We are committed to advocating for affordable health services that meet the needs of our diverse multi?cultural community.

Taking applications till 11/6/2013

Go here to see the full description

Friday, August 9, 2013

Communicable Disease Control Epidemiologist

Boulder County Public Health is currently accepting applications for the position of Communicable Disease Control Epidemiologist. This position is an integral member of the Boulder County Public Health (BCPH) Communicable Disease Control Team and performs a variety of complex epidemiological duties related to the surveillance, investigation, control, and follow-up of reportable communicable diseases in Boulder County.

This position is integral in the planning and implementation of HIV and hepatitis C prevention activities for Boulder County, including HIV testing, counseling, and referral and syringe access. This position responds to inquiries from the medical community and the general public concerning infectious diseases.

Taking applications till 11/6/2013

For more information on this position please click here:

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Loyola MPH Program to Launch Leadership Day

The first Loyola University Chicago Public Health Leadership Day will be held Saturday September 28 at the Stritch School of Medicine. All Loyola MPH students who are enrolled in the practicum (field experience) for fall semester or who plan to enroll in the practicum for the spring semester are strongly encouraged to attend but attendance is not mandatory.

The Leadership Day will provide an overview of the practicum and capstone requirements and will provide tips on leadership skills such as public speaking, team building and professionalism. Speakers will also provide tips on job hunting and resume writing. Students will also have time to meet one another and share their experiences.

Leadership day will be September 28th and start around 7:30 am with breakfast and end by 4 PM. Lunch will be provided.

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Student Trials published

Congratulations to the MPH students and CRME students who participated in the Spring 2012 Meta-Analysis course co-taught by Drs. Durazo and Kramer. Their meta-analysis project entitled 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Supplementation and BMI Change: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials was recently accepted for publication in the Journal of Obesity and Weight Loss Therapy.

Nallely Mora, Jennifer Plichta, Kate Rieke, Adrian Segura, David Leehey and Katina Deshong all worked to- gether to complete a meta-analysis of clinical trials examining 25-hydroxyvitamin D supplementation and BMI change. Their meta-analysis included data from both published and non-published clinical trials. The publication will be available online by August 8.

Congratulations to Drs. Alex Chang and Dr. Holly Kramer

Congratulations to Drs. Alex Chang (former CRME graduate) and Holly Kramer. Their research on diet and kidney disease was recently discussed in the New York Times. Drs. Chang and Kramer utilized data from the Coronary Artery Disease in Young Adults Study to examine how dietary habits influence future risk of chronic kidney disease and the research was recently published in the American Journal of Kidney Disease.

Their study showed that individuals who eat a diet high in fruits, vegetables and low fat dairy products show a much lower risk of developing kidney disease compared to individuals who do not follow a healthy diet. Most chronic diseases are largely due to nutritional factors and this includes kidney disease. Unfortunately, most clinical care continues to focus largely on medications with little emphasis on diet. 

For access to the NYT article click here.