APHA Conference: A Showcase of our Outstanding SPH Community
Last week, several members of the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health community had an impactful presence at the highly anticipated American Public Health Association (APHA) annual meeting, held in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This gathering, which attracts over 12,000 public health professionals from around the globe, was a vibrant stage for our community’s latest research, innovations, and contributions to the field of public health.
A heartfelt thanks is due to our wonderful staff Théo Caldwell, Tomás Zurita, Josh Hodsden and leaders Dawn Richardson and Brad Wipfli, whose behind-the-scenes work made student networking opportunities and our SPH-at-APHA gathering possible. Their vision, commitment and meticulous planning significantly contributed to the success of our trip!
SPH Presentations Highlights
The faculty, students, and alumni from our SPH actively contributed to a diverse array of critical public health topics at the APHA 2024 annual meeting. Their research emphasizes innovative approaches to longstanding public health challenges, advocating for social justice, improved health systems, and strategic public health management in the face of evolving and complex needs. Their work not only showcases the depth of scholarship by the SPH community but also highlights their commitment to advocacy, community engagement, and public health impact.
Dean Halverson Invited to Prestigious Panel
Dean Halverson was honored to be invited by the APHA President to participate in a panel discussion titled “Learning from our past: Perspectives of former state health officials to build trust in public health and science.” The panel of former State Health Officials shared their experiences of public health emergencies, chronic persistent public health issues, and everything in between, highlighting their learning and offering their perspective on the practice of public health.
Student and Alumni Recognition: A Testament to Lasting Impact
Adding to our proud moments, one of our alumni – Rosol Mikail – received the prestigious Dr. Susan Goodwin Gerberich Injury Control and Emergency Health Services (ICEHS) Student Paper Award, recognizing her significant contributions from her MPH practice experience and integrative project in which she evaluated Oregon’s Extreme Risk Protection Order for preventing mass shootings.
In addition, current HS&P doctoral candidate Jenn Reed received the ICEHS Presidential Scholarship for her excellent contributions to the field of violence prevention.
Looking Ahead
This year was our first ever coordinated effort to participate in APHA as an SPH community, and it was a really great experience for us all. Our faculty, students, and staff gained valuable insights and networked with peers, reinforcing our School’s position at the forefront of public health education and research. We look forward to next year’s APHA annual meeting and encourage you to submit your research, scholarship and join us in Washington D.C. in 2025!
