Public Health News
Aziza Mustefa College Marshal Reflection
Good afternoon and congratulations to the Falk College Class of 2015. I want you all to know how honored I am to be standing here. Thank you to my family, my classmates, my friends, and the esteemed faculty and administration for joining us on this joyous day.
I can’t begin my speech without remembering our classmate Sabrina Cammock. Sabrina was one of my dearest friends, a stellar track runner, a brilliant student, and a woman who used her gifts for the greater good. Even though she is not with us today, she is in our hearts and I hope we can keep Sabrina’s memory alive.
Today we celebrate the triumph of completing our college education. Graduating from the David B Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics means that we will be using our education to give back to our communities. In a couple of days, we all are returning to our communities or joining new ones. As Falk graduates, I encourage you all to act on the vision of David and Rhonda Falk. To quote Mr. Falk,
“Global concerns for critical societal issues like childhood obesity, substance abuse, elder care, and malnutrition are at an all-time high. We need dedicated professionals who are committed and willing to give of their time and of themselves. The Falk College’s unique combination that pairs social responsibility and service with experiential learning means students will be well trained to address society’s most pressing issues, finding themselves both where the jobs are—and where they are most needed.”
Now we are the dedicated professionals moving into society to make a difference because, throughout our college careers, social responsibility and community service have been instilled in us. And, we have the tools and knowledge to make a difference. We all embody Scholarship in Action because we know that one person can change lives, neighborhoods and the world.
As we close this chapter in our lives, a new one begins. Before you leave here today, I want you all to recall your fondest memories and experiences at SU. Remember those who were there for you, remember the support from Falk College, and remember how special you are. We all have this bond that unites us.
I encourage you all to dare to dream big, and most importantly don’t shy away from using your gifts. You and I have the power to create positive change in the world and we will.
Syracuse University’s Project ETHICS filmed for upcoming documentary
In 2013, Falk College associate professor of public health, Dr. Katherine McDonald, received a grant from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to address the pressing need for scientific knowledge to improve the health of persons with intellectual disability.
During the study, an expert panel created a survey administered to 500 people across the U.S. to learn about their views on doing research with adults with an intellectual disability. One of the panel members was Micah Fialka-Feldman, a Syracuse University student, teaching assistant, and staff member. Feldman, who will graduate in May 2015 with a certificate in Disability Studies, helped design the Project ETHICS survey and assisted with recruitment and sharing findings. During the project, McDonald was contacted by documentary filmmaker, Dan Habib, an Emmy-nominated creator of the award-winning documentary films Including Samuel, Who Cares About Kelsey?, Restraint and Seclusion: Hear Our Stories, and many others on disability-related topics.
Habib is the filmmaker at the Institute on Disability (UCEDD) at the University of New Hampshire, and was appointed by President Barack Obama to the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities (PCPID) in 2014. Fialka-Feldman also serves on the PCPID, and for the past year, he has been filmed periodically by Habib for an upcoming film with the working title, Intelligent Lives.
As a young boy, the public school system placed Micah in a special education classroom. In first grade, he told his parents, “I want to go in the same door as all my other friends.” After his parents battled extensively with the school district, Micah was included in general education classes through high school. He developed a close circle of friends, had access to supportive technology, and his educators held high expectations for his academic success.
Intelligent Lives explores how segregation of people with intellectual disability became the norm, why this segregation is slowly being dismantled, and how some people with intellectual disability are blazing a bold new path, including Feldman, the film’s central character. Currently in production, Intelligent Lives will be completed by the fall of 2017. Of the film, Fialka-Feldman notes, “Dan’s film will help show people how those with disabilities can do great things.”
“Project ETHICS is community-engaged research. The film is about expanding ideas of intelligence – community-engaged research draws from similar ideas. Rather than trained scientists controlling research, we work hand-in-hand with community members who have lived experience and draw from their expertise to create research questions, methods, dissemination, and action to follow. This way of working legitimizes the value of lived experience, and emphasizes that a broad array of stakeholders can (and should) contribute to research,” explains McDonald, principal investigator for the Project ETHICS study and a faculty fellow at the Burton Blatt Institute (BBI).
On a recent trip to Syracuse, Habib filmed Fialka-Feldman participating in Project ETHICS work. During multiple site visits to campus to film, Habib and his team spent time with Feldman, his friends and colleagues to capture Micah’s vibrant academic, work and social life. The visits include filming Micah at home, working at the SU School of Education, attending his public health class taught by professor of practice, Jim Byrne, and working as part of a discussion group about research findings in Project ETHICS. Habib also filmed Micah’s Circle of Support meeting, which he runs monthly. He invites those he finds provide him with positive support to talk about what is going on in his life, and what is coming. Micah directs the meeting, discussion, and decisions but is open to input from others.
“Project ETHICS is an important element of Micah’s experience at Syracuse,” Habib says. “Like Project ETHICS, this film will help the general public understand the dramatic shifts underway in our understanding intellectual disability. The reality is that if Micah was born in the first half of the 20th century, his IQ score of 40 would have most likely necessitated a life of institutionalization. Fortunately, Micah was born in 1984, and Intelligent Lives will show that we can transform education, employment and human service systems to examine the capabilities of each and every person regardless of appearance, ability to speak and move, or test scores.”
“This film is a key component to challenging dominant cultural narratives about people labeled with intellectual disability. We need films that reflect disability rights, and showcase people with disability leading meaningful lives as caring, capable citizens” says McDonald.
To watch some of Habib’s previous films, go to www.iod.unh.edu/inclusivecommunities
Research training program for veterans now accepting applications
To improve access to undergraduate research experiences in the area of trauma for groups typically underrepresented in this research, including veterans, a collaborative venture between Syracuse University’s Falk College, SUNY Oswego, and SUNY Upstate Medical University is now recruiting students for its 2015 program June 1-26 on the Syracuse campus.
The Undergraduate Trauma Research Training program is a National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Education for Undergraduates (REU) opportunity directed by Brooks B. Gump, Ph.D., MPH, Falk Family Endowed Professor of Public Health, and co-directed by Karen Wolford, Ph.D., Professor Department of Psychology and Coordinator of the Interdisciplinary Graduate Certificate Program in Trauma Studies at SUNY Oswego and includes other faculty from these institutions as well as SUNY Upstate Medical University. This program brings together veterans and non-veterans in a safe environment to pursue trauma research activities.
This month-long immersion program involves coursework, mentored student-faculty interactions, and the development of a research project. Participating students receive a $3,000 stipend for attending the summer session. Room and board are provided free of charge, as needed, with some travel cost assistance available for out-of-state participants.
The program, now in its fourth year, draws on personal experiences of veterans who understand the nature and context of traumatic events. By gaining a scientific understanding of trauma, students who complete the program gain essential tools they can use to improve the quality of life for themselves and others, including veterans. Read more about one REU participant’s experience.
The program is purposefully structured to span one full year. Following the summer program, students continue their research under the mentorship of REU faculty during the Fall semester. Finally, students are expected to present their research at a national or international conference in Spring, 2016. The travel and registration expense for the conference is provided to the student through this program. For more information about the program, and to download an application for it, click here to go to the Syracuse University REU web site or contact Ivan Castro at iecastro@syr.edu. Application deadline is April 15, 2015.
Brooks Gump Presents “Low-Level Environmental Toxins and Children’s Health” at Grand Rounds Feb. 19
The Department of Public Health & Preventive Medicine’s next Grand Rounds is scheduled for 12:15 p.m. on February 19, in Room 2231 Weiskotten Hall on the Upstate Medical University campus. Brooks Gump, Ph.D., MPH, Falk Family Endowed Professor of Public Health, will be the featured guest speaker. Low-Level Environmental Toxins and Children’s Health is the title of Dr. Gump’s talk.
Falk College Community Meet-and-Greet with Dean Murphy
Dear Falk Undergraduate and Grad. Students,
Please join Falk College Dean, Diane Lyden Murphy, and your classmates for a Falk Student Community Meet-and-Greet. A date will be scheduled after Spring Break. Dean Murphy is interested in hearing your ideas about student needs in our new building. What would you like to see in the student lounge? What makes your study space ideal? Hear about renovations in-the-works, including space for student services, food services, and collaborative learning.
Pizza, salad and soda will be served!
Share your suggestions via email.
Syracuse Lead Study continues recruitment
The Department of Public Health, Food Studies and Nutrition at Syracuse University’s Falk College continues to actively recruit for the Syracuse Lead Study. Eligible zip codes are 13202, 13203, 13204, 13205, 13206, 13207, 13208, 13210 and 13224. The study is examining environmental toxins (lead) that collect in our system and how that impacts stress response and cardiovascular health.
“Recruitment will continue until we reach our goal of 300 participants,” says Dr. Brooks Gump, Principal Investigator for the Syracuse Lead Study and Falk Family Endowed Professor at Syracuse University. In addition to residence in the outlined zip codes, participants need to be 9, 10 or 11 years of age and consider their race as black or white. Siblings are eligible for participation. Children and their parents/guardians will be compensated for their time with a stipend of up to $120.
The study consists of two appointments that involve a blood draw, collection of hair and urine samples, body measurements, two echocardiograms, questionnaires and computer games. Visit appointments will occur on and off-campus and will take approximately seven hours in total. For more information about the Syracuse Lead Study please call (315) 443-4907 or visit our website at syracuselead.syr.edu
SUSN Class of 1964 Celebrates 50 Years
Syracuse University School of Nursing Class of ‘64 gathered in Seneca Falls to celebrate its 50th reunion in May, 2014. From the Carolinas, Florida, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Oregon, California, Texas and West Virginia, 17 members of the class of 24 gathered to reminisce, catch up on news, view pictures and memorabilia and just enjoy one another.
This class of only 24 have earned 3 PhDs, more than 10 master’s degrees, and 1 nurse practitioner. We have been directors of nursing in health care agencies, taught nursing, worked as clinical nurse specialists in numerous fields, and served in the military, working in almost every aspect of nursing.
Since graduation, only one of the class is deceased, three could not be located and several were unable to attend. One of the highlights of the event was having dinner with our physician instructor for obstetrics and gynecology, Phillip L. Ferro, MD, who is still practicing and teaching at SUNY Upstate in Syracuse. He traveled to Seneca Falls to surprise the group (only the reunion chairs knew he was coming.)
Since no SU reunion would be complete without Marshall Street memories, menus were obtained from the Varsity and Cosmo’s. Manny’s contributed some mugs and t shirts. Syracuse University and Falk College also contributed items to remind the ladies of their days at SU.
Endless memories were recalled such as females curfews, no slacks on campus, no alcohol on campus, freshman beanies, the Goon Squad, the strict rules and regulations of the Nursing School, snacking on M Street, going to The Orange with a date, and placard cheering in Archbold.
Many of our class lived in cottages that have long ago been demolished to make room for new buildings and parking lots. Our school was located at 107 Waverly Ave. in a metal Quonset hut. We had codes…dress codes, behavior codes and an honor code, all which were strictly enforced. While many of these things seemed a bit harsh at the time, each of the class agreed that our school equipped us well to be the caring professional women we became. It made us good citizens, volunteers, family members and most of all, friends.
Each of us remembered where we were and what we were doing the day President Kennedy was assassinated. Each of us remembered having to graduate in Manley Field House due to inclement weather. Each of us remembered our years at SU and all of the years that have passed at SU, our school, and one another… with a smile!
Prepared by Joan Martin Way, RN, MSN
Sam Rodgers Earns ACC Post-Grad Scholarship
Sam Rodgers, a nutrition major in Falk College, is one of three Syracuse student-athletes recognized for his academic and athletic achievements with a post-graduate scholarship from the ACC. Rodgers was an AFCA Good Works Team honoree this season for his work in the community, which includes a pair of mission trips to Haiti with the group Poverty Resolutions. Rodgers was also named a Remembrance Scholar for this academic year at Syracuse, which is one of the highest awards a student at Syracuse University can receive. He will represent Falk College as one of two Class of 2015 marshals. Rodgers, who was previously a CoSida Academic All-America, served as a captain this season and finished his career with the Orange having served as the teams long snapper in every game since his arrival at Syracuse.
Falk College Announces New Master of Arts in Addiction Studies
To address a growing need for more counselors, healthcare professionals and social services professionals with adequate training and credentialing in alcohol, other drugs and behavioral addictions, Falk College announced the creation of a 36-credit Master of Arts in Addiction Studies degree. The degree program provides students with opportunities to develop broad competencies in preparation for employment in a number of fields addressing alcohol, other drugs and behavioral (process) addictions.
Throughout the academic program, students will be exposed to a public health perspective of substance use and addictive behaviors specializing in prevention and counseling. The 36-credit MA in Addiction Studies spans many topics including the impact of addictions on families and relationships, treatment planning and referral, clinical evaluation, global perspectives in alcohol and other drug policies among other areas. Program requirements include: theoretical foundations (25 credits), research and assessment (8 credits), electives (3 credits), a qualifying examination and a master’s paper.
Passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the enforcement of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (HP AEA) has driven an increased need for an addictions-informed workforce and adequately trained addictions counselors. In addition to the identified need for more counselors and a better-trained workforce in substance abuse treatment, there is a need for addictions-informed professionals working in public health, public policy, education, and medicine, among many others. As such, the MA in Addiction Studies meets a pressing need in communities across the nation.
Upon completion of the program, students will have met the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) education training requirements for the Credentialed Prevention Professional (CPP) and Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC). Graduates are eligible to sit for the CASAC exam and initial certification as a CASAC Trainee. Full certification as a CPP or CASAC requires supervised post-graduate work experience before full certification is awarded by OASAS. Students seeking credentialing in states other than New York must contact the specific credentialing office for that state.
Falk College public health and addiction faculty have close ties with the NYS Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) and worked closely with this office to develop a program that is uniquely positioned to train providers in both prevention and counseling capacities thus enabling the seamless delivery of both forms of addiction services. In addition, faculty have been internationally recognized for their work in addictions training, scholarship and practice. The program offers an option to study addictions policy from an international perspective during a three-week summer course in the Netherlands and other selected European locations.
For more information, contact Falk College’s Department of Public Health, Food Studies and Nutrition at (315) 443-2141 or its Office of Admissions at (315) 443-5555.
Public health faculty lead GIS workshop for students, community members
On November 24, students, faculty and community members gathered for the first annual Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Workshop sponsored by Syracuse University’s Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics. David Larsen, an assistant professor in the Department of Public Health, Food Studies and Nutrition, led the workshop as part of public health professor Sandra Lane’s research work in the area of neighborhood trauma and violence in Syracuse. In addition to Drs. Larsen and Lane, this research project includes Falk College faculty members Dessa Bergen-Cico, Colleen Baish, Linda Stone Fish, and Tracey Reichert-Schimpff along with Maxwell professor Robert A. Rubinstein. Community partners involved in the project include Timothy “Noble” Jennings-Bey, CEO and founder of the Street Addiction Institute for Behavioral Modification, as well as the founding director of the Syracuse Trauma Response Team, and Arnett Haygood-El who is a member of the Trauma Response Team. Student collaborators include Enaam Alali, Giovanni Bazile, Timothy Bryant, Reed Kamyszek and Shaundel Sanchez.
The workshop offered a hands-on approach to teaching the skill of map making, an integral part of generating community awareness and conducting epidemiological analyses for public health problems like violence. The Syracuse Police Department provided the location of all shots-fired incidents over the past five years, which the participants linked to census tract populations in the workshop and then mapped. The workshop was based on Quantum GIS, an open-source geographic information systems program that any student or participant can freely download for their machine.
The results from the workshop will be used during community meetings to discuss how best to respond to the issue of neighborhood trauma. The results will also be useful in applying for research funding and to publish in scientific journals.
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