US-Mexico Border Experience

Available to LUC MPH students!

US-Mexico Border Electives 2015-2016

University of Texas Health Sciences Campus San Antonio (Harlingen Campus)

The University of Texas Health Sciences Campus San Antonio in Harlingen, Texas offers two comprehensive and quite competitive electives to educate students around the complexity of factors which contribute to and result from the realities of health and justice at the U.S.-Mexico Border.

Please explore these opportunities and apply EARLY if you are interested in participating.

Process:

-          Visit the websites (listed below) for a more thorough description of each elective

-          Please inform CCGH of your interest, even before you apply

-          Contact the organization (and copy CCGH) to express interest and inquire about the specific application process required by the particular elective in which you are interested (be sure to include that you are a Loyola University Chicago SSOM student) **for STEER, include completed application with initial email (attached)

-          M4 students apply through VSAS, but the aforementioned steps precede formal application through VSAS

Community for Children

Offered through the Department of Pediatrics, this 4-week project-based elective introduces students to the struggles of children in border towns, specifically with regard to poverty, social inequity, and migration. In addition to experiential learning, this elective encourages the participant to engage in action and reflection exercises around compassion, social justice, and advocacy.

There are two opportunities to participate in Community for Children in the coming academic year:

• September 28-October 23, 2015
• February 1-February 26, 2016

More information: http://communityforchildren.org/

Contact: Ginny McCarthy at the Loyola Center for Community & Global Health, vmccarthy@luc.edu, 708-216-0849

STEER PROGRAM (South Texas Environmental Education and Research)

This 4-week elective is offered through the Department of Family and Community Medicine and consists of an interprofessional group of trainees from a variety of health-related professions. The express purpose of this elective is to unite medicine and public health at the intersection of theory and practice through introduction to the realities of health and justice at the U.S.-Mexico border.

The STEER rotation dates are as follows:

•           August (Aug 3 – Aug 28, 2015)

•           September/October (Sept 28 – October 23, 2015)     

•           February (Feb 1 – Feb 26, 2016)

•           May/June (May 23 – June 20, 2016)  

More information: http://steer.uthscsa.edu/index.aspx

Contact: STEER@uthscsa.edu

Grant analyst position - Cook County

GRANT ANALYST – PREVENTION SERVICES UNIT – DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH – GRANT FUNDED POSITION Job Number: 00116977 PID: 1500019 Job Posting Jan 9, 2015, 2:34:42 PM Closing Date Jan 23, 2015, 11:59:00 PM Full-time Posting Salary: COMPETITIVE SALARY Organization: Health and Hospital Systems JOB SUMMARY In alignment with the vision and mission of the CCDPH Chronic Disease Prevention & Health Promotion Unit and under direct supervision of the Unit’s Project Director for the Partnerships to Improve Community Health (PICH) grant, this position will be responsible for administrative management of PICH, a three-year initiative supporting implementation of interventions leading to policy, systems and environmental changes addressing the leading risk factors associated with chronic disease. This position will specifically support a performance management system, execute and manage all subcontracts, work with partner agencies to ensure fiscal and programmatic compliance, review budgets and vouchers, and work collaboratively with CCDPH and the PICH Program Team to ensure overall programmatic success. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS ·         Master’s Degree in Public Health, Public Administration or other related field is required. (Original transcripts must be presented at time of interview). ·         Minimum of three (3) years’ practical work experience with program management and, grants and contract management and performance management, and monitoring and reporting is required. ·         Ability to travel locally (light to moderate) with a reliable means of transportation is required. (Proof of valid driver’s license must be presented at time of interview). ·         Must obtain ICS 100, 200, 700 and 800 certifications within six (6) months of employment is required. KNOWLEDGE SKILLS, AND ABILITIES ·         Knowledge and understanding of principles for public health practice, including, but not limited to, program and policy planning, implementation, and evaluation, and laws, principles, rules and policies relating to federally funded grants and contracts. ·         Ability to develop and implement systems to support performance management and administrative oversight (e.g., grant and contract management). ·         Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, exhibit sound decision-making skills, have strong verbal and written communication skills, and be able to operate both with minimal supervision, as well as within a team setting in a fast-paced, deadline drive environment. ·         Proficient in using Microsoft Office programs, particularly database and spreadsheet software. ·         Expertise in grants management with program development, implementation and evaluation experience. Benefits Package ·         Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage ·         Basic Term Life Insurance ·         Pension Plan ·         Deferred Compensation Program ·         Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time ·         You may also qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) For further information on our excellent benefits package, please click on the following link: http://www.cookcountyrisk.com/ MUST MEET ALL REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AT TIME OF APPLICATION FILING. COOK COUNTY GOVERNMENT HEALTH AND HOSPITALS SYSTEM IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. Degrees and transcripts from non-U.S. accredited institutions must be translated and certified to the US equivalent academic credentials by a recognized US education interpreter service. EMPLOYER

PROGRAM COORDINATOR - COOK COUNTY

PROGRAM COORDINATOR – COMMUNITY HEALTH – PREVENTION SERVICES UNIT - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH – GRANT FUNDED POSITION

Job Number: 00116995 

PID: 1500017

Job Posting:  Jan 14, 2015, 1:11:00 PM   

Closing Date:  Jan 28, 2015, 11:59:00 PM

Full-time:  A.M.   P.M.

Posting Salary:  COMPETITIVE SALARY

Organization:  Health and Hospital Systems 

JOB SUMMARY

In alignment with the vision and mission of the CCDPH Chronic Disease Prevention & Health Promotion Unit and under direct supervision of the Unit’s Project Director for the Partnerships to Improve Community Health (PICH) grant, this position will be responsible for working with the agency’s Alliance for Healthy and Active Communities (AHAC) and other partners to ensure effective implementation and evaluation of interventions under PICH aimed to strengthen community health in suburban Cook County, Illinois by advancing smoke-free multi-unit housing, healthy corner store conversions, active transportation plans and policies, and enhanced clinical-community linkages. This includes, but is not limited to, conducting outreach and education and providing technical assistance to participating community entities in coordination with partners/subcontractors; creating content and/or materials to support communication strategies and efforts; facilitating AHAC Action Teams to promote communication, coordination and accountability; overseeing program activities of designated subcontractors; and supporting evaluation activities. PICH is a three-year initiative supporting implementation of interventions leading to policy, systems and environmental changes addressing the leading risk factors associated with chronic disease.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

·         Master’s Degree in Public Health, Urban Planning, Public Policy, Public Administration or other related field is required. (Original transcripts must be presented at time of interview).

·         Minimum of five (5) years’ experience in program leadership and management in the area(s) of community health, health promotion, community design/urban planning, policy development and implementation, or healthcare systems development is required.

·         Ability to travel locally (moderately to heavy) with a reliable means of transportation is required. (Proof of valid driver’s license must be presented at time of interview).

·         Must obtain ICS 100, 200, 700 and 800 certifications within six (6) months of employment is required.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge and demonstrated experience with applying health promotion theory and/or with advancing policy, systems and environmental change, using evidence-based or best practice strategies.
• Management including areas of program planning and evaluation, as well as grant management.
• Understanding of principles of health communication, including social marketing and determinants of community health and how to build local capacity.
• The ability to plan, coordinate and manage with strong organizational skills.
• Ability to cultivate and manage key relationships/stakeholders, as well as lead and facilitate group process.
• Ability to effectively work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Excellent written/verbal communication skills and experience with diverse communities and outreach.
• Proficient in using Microsoft Office programs.
• Ability to work in the evenings or weekends, as needed.

Benefits Package

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Basic Term Life Insurance
• Pension Plan
• Deferred Compensation Program
• Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time
• You may also qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)  

For further information on our excellent benefits package, please click on the following link: http://www.cookcountyrisk.com/

MUST MEET ALL REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AT TIME OF APPLICATION FILING.

COOK COUNTY GOVERNMENT HEALTH AND HOSPITALS SYSTEM IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

 Degrees and transcripts from non-U.S. accredited institutions must be translated and certified to the US equivalent academic credentials by a recognized US education interpreter service.

Job opening at Cook County Department of Public Health

PROJECT DIRECTOR V - PREVENTION SERVICES UNIT – COOK COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH – GRANT FUNDED POSITION Job Number: 00116974 PID: 1500016 Job Posting Jan 9, 2015, 2:13:29 PM Closing Date Jan 23, 2015, 11:59:00 PM Full-time Posting Salary: COMPETITIVE SALARY JOB SUMMARY In alignment with the vision and mission of the CCDPH Chronic Disease Prevention & Health Promotion Unit and under direct supervision of the Unit’s Director, this position will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the federal cooperative agreement, Partnerships to Improve Community Health (PICH) and provide leadership and direction to ensure successful implementation and evaluation of the initiative. This will include, but is not limited to, ensuring PICH milestones and objectives are met and reports are prepared and submitted in timely manner; providing direct supervision to three staff; facilitating management systems that promotes communication, coordination and accountability; and fostering strategic partnerships that will support implementation, evaluation and sustainability of the initiative. PICH is a three-year initiative supporting implementation of interventions leading to policy, systems and environmental changes addressing the leading risk factors associated with chronic disease. Interventions in suburban Cook County, Illinois will focus on advancement of smoke-free housing, healthy corner store conversions, active transportation plans and policies, enhanced physical education in schools, and strengthened clinical-community linkages. The person hired will be a professional with demonstrated experience in leading a major initiative and managing staff and partners to achieve objectives in a fast-paced, deadline driven environment. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS ·         Master’s Degree in Public Health, Public Policy, Public Administration or other related field is required. (Original transcripts must be presented at time of interview). ·         Minimum of eight (8) years’ experience in community-based public health is required. ·         Minimum six (6) years’experience in public and/or population health systems and program development, implementation and evaluation, including coalition or alliance building (collaborations) and community-based initiatives is required. ·         Minimum of three (3) years’ or more supervisory experience is required. ·         Ability to travel locally (moderate to heavy) with a reliable means of transportation is required. (Proof of valid driver’s license must be presented at time of interview). ·         Must obtain ICS 100, 200, 700 and 800 certifications within six (6) months of employment is required. KNOWLEDGE SKILLS, AND ABILITIES ·         Knowledge and demonstrated use of the principles and practices of strategic management, including areas of strategic planning; fiscal management; personnel; program development; implementation and evaluation; and performance management. ·         Knowledge of effective strategies to advance policy change. ·         Ability to provide leadership and effective supervision; plan, coordinate and manage with strong organizational skills; lead and facilitate group process. ·         Effectively work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team. ·         Deal effectively with a variety of governmental and community officials and maintain cooperative working relationships with federal, state, and local officials, as well as both professional and community organizations. ·         Proficient in using Microsoft Office programs. ·         Experience with federally funded or other large multi-year grants and demonstrated commitment to health equity and social justice. Benefits Package ·         Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage ·         Basic Term Life Insurance ·         Pension Plan ·         Deferred Compensation Program ·         Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time ·         You may also qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) For further information on our excellent benefits package, please click on the following link: http://www.cookcountyrisk.com/ MUST MEET ALL REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AT TIME OF APPLICATION FILING. COOK COUNTY GOVERNMENT HEALTH AND HOSPITALS SYSTEM IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. Degrees and transcripts from non-U.S. accredited institutions must be translated and certified to the US equivalent academic credentials by a recognized US education interpreter service

Save the Date: Spring 2015 Leadership Day is Saturday, April 11th.

More details will be forthcoming.

Public Health Panel

The Cost of Health Crisis: Measuring the Economic & Human Toll of Pandemics

Wednesday, January 14, 6-8pm
Harold Washington Library (400 S. State Street) 

Free, register here: http://bit.ly/1AxggJx   
Unable to attend? This event will be streamed live online thanks to CAN TV.View the stream here beginning at 6pm CT, or on television on cable channel CAN TV 27. Participate by sharing your questions on Twitter to @ILHumanitiesusing the hashtag #HealthCrisisCosts.
Presented by the Illinois Humanities Council and Chicago Public Library

Panelists include: 

Dr. Robert A. Weinstein, Professor of Medicine, Former Chairman of Medicine, Cook County Health and Hospitals System

Dr. Catherine Belling, Associate Professor, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University

Dr. Rena Conti, Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago 

Dr. Bruce Lambert, Professor; Director, Center for Communication and Health, Northwestern University 

Moderated by Odette Yousef, Reporter, WBEZ. 

With Ebola as one frame of reference, and ethics and economics as others, the Illinois Humanities Council and Chicago Public Library will have a robust public dialogue on what public health threats cost hospitals, business, government, individuals and society. How much does it cost to keep citizens safe and who pays for it all?

A panel of top economic, medical and humanities experts will use business models and the humanities to spark a conversation exploring the economics and ethics of potential pandemics. Is health safety a human, business or civic responsibility of the government to assure we are protected at all costs? What do we learn from pandemics, threats? What is the role of fear in costs?

Two MPH students needed for field experience in Ecuador

Two MPH students needed (should be able to speak Spanish) for the following field experience:

Fundación Natividad de los Andes: http://foundationoftheandes.org/

                Beginning in Summer of 2015, SSOM will award 4 student grants to travel to Chimbo, Ecuador through Fundación de los Andes to collaborate with local health professionals to better understand chronic disease in rural South America. Through meetings with local health professionals and conducting home visits, participating students will learn about and document the prevalence of certain chronic diseases, while also working in a variety of venues to offer community health education opportunities. The experience will last roughly 4-6 weeks, requires fluent Spanish, and previous international service experience. The experience will culminate in 7-10 days of clinical time during which referred patients will see an attending physician during a scheduled appointment regarding their chronic illness(es).

Contact Dr. Amy Luke (aluke@luc.edu) for more information.

Call for proposals

The Autism Program of Illinois Student Research Grants

Call for Proposals

Purpose: To encourage and support scientific advances that can better the lives of people with autism, and to broaden the community of scholars who are interested in autism.
Description of program: Five grants of up to $2000.00 each in support of student-conducted research on services for children with autism may be awarded. Research topics must complement TAP’s focus upon best practices in service delivery for children with autism and their families (see TAP’s mission statement at: http://www.theautismprogram.org/about). Primary empirical projects are preferred but the development of targeted literature reviews (“white papers”) on important, but under-described, topics also will be considered. Because limited time is available between the awarding of funds and the reporting of outcomes (see below), preference will be given to projects that already are under development or otherwise show evidence of the potential for rapid progress. Note that any award funding not expended prior to 30 June 2015 must be returned to TAP. Preference will also be given towards projects that have already been proposed to a student’s thesis or dissertation committee.

Who is eligible: Students enrolled in an Illinois academic institution. Applicants must have the support of staff member from a TAP Partner who agrees to mentor/support the student.

Submission deadline: 6 February 2015

Notification of funding: 20 February 2015

Disbursement of funds: 15 March 2015

Report of outcomes due: 15 July 2015

Evaluation Criteria

• Inclusion and clear labeling of all required elements of the proposal as specified below
• Clarity and persuasiveness of rationale, including relevance to TAP mission and potential to make an original, important, and/or novel contribution to autism research
• Quality of research design and capacity to answer research question
• Budget and justification (clear, reasonable)Evidence that significant progress can be made before report of outcomes (above) is due
• Faculty evaluation of project and student capabilities (below)

Application
Submit the following information in a single PDF document to Mary Pelich (mpelich@thehopeinstitute.us).

The main body of the application should be no more than 7 single-spaced pages (1-inch margins, 12-point font). Vita, faculty letter of support and TAP Partner letter of support are in addition to these 7 pages.

1. Identifying information (project title, student name, student affiliation, student contact information, faculty advisor contact information, TAP Partner contact information)
2. Overview of research problem (background and rationale, written for an educated but non-specialist audience)
3. Description of the proposed project (research question, methodology, and data analysis procedures)
4. Explanation of how the project supports TAP’s mission
5. Timeline and Progress. In a table list major milestones of the project and expected completion dates. 
1. Also answer the following questions:
1. Has this project been approved by the local Institutional Review Board? If so, provide documentation of approval.
2. Does this project fulfill a formal academic requirement (e.g., master’s thesis, doctoral dissertation, etc.)? If the project requires formal approval by a committee or supervisor before it can start, indicate the anticipated date of approval.
3. Have other sources of funding been procured to support the project? If so, indicate source and amount.
6. Budget (three-column table, with Column 1 showing of budgeted items for the project, Column 2 showing total amount to be spent, and Column 3 showing amount to be supported by grant funds) and brief budget justification (explaining why the funds are needed and how they are being expended).
7. Faculty letter of support (addressing importance and quality of the project, student’s role in developing and executing it, and student capability to execute the project at a high level of competence and in a timely manner).
8. TAP Partner letter of support (describing the role to be played by the TAP Partner, and identifying any financial support provided by the TAP Partner Agency for this project).
9. Vita

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