Public Health News
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.
Syracuse University’s Falk College Highlights Graduate Studies During November 15 Information Session
Faculty, staff, students available to talk about programs, coursework, student life
Syracuse University faculty, staff and current students will welcome potential graduate students interested in the Falk College’s graduate programs in child and family studies, public health, marriage and family therapy, nutrition science, social work andsport management during a special Fall Information Session for graduate studies on Saturday, November 15. The presentation begins at 10:00 a.m. in the Shaffer Art Building, Shemin Auditorium.
Detailed information will be provided on graduate programs in child and family studies (MA, MS, Ph.D.), child and family health (MS), marriage and family therapy (MA), social work (MSW) as well as the dual degree program (MA/MSW) in marriage and family therapy and social work, nutrition science, and sport venue and event management (MS). Details on our newCertificate of Advanced Study (CAS) programs in trauma-informed practice and intercollegiate athletic advising and supportwill be available along with information on other Falk College CAS programs in addiction studies, dietetic internship, and global health.
Admissions staff will be available at the information session to meet with students and provide information on academic programs, scholarships and housing.
National Science Foundation spotlights Falk REU program that trains veterans, non-veterans to conduct trauma-related research
The Trauma Research Education for Undergraduates (REU) program, launched three years ago by Falk Family Endowed Professor of Public Health, Brooks Gump and SUNY Oswego psychology professor Karen Wolford, trains veterans and non-veterans to conduct trauma-related research. A joint venture of Syracuse University, the State University of New York (SUNY) at Oswego and SUNY Upstate Medical University, the Trauma REU is offered to 10 students each year. It starts with an intense, immersive summer program–four weeks of trauma coursework while crafting a research project–and continues through the year as students conduct research under faculty supervision. Students are a mix of veterans and non-veterans. This highly interdisciplinary program includes faculty who are geneticists, psychologists and social workers and has contributed to research on stress reduction tools used by trauma patients
Falk College Faculty Awarded Komen Foundation Grant for Breast Cancer Awareness, Education Programming
Public health professor of practice, Luvenia Cowart, working with Maria Brown, assistant research professor, School of Social Work, has received a $47,293 grant from the Susan G. Komen for the Cure New York Foundation to support the project, “Breast Cancer Awareness and Education Program for African American Women in Underserved Communities.” The project’s aim is to reduce disparities in breast cancer and its associated health risks, and to promote participation in mammography and early detection services for African American women in the Syracuse community.
According to the National Cancer Institute, breast cancer is the second most common cause of cancer deaths among African American women. Standard health education has not been effective with minorities, particularly those with lower incomes or less education. Widespread distrust of the formal healthcare system, health literacy issues and a perceived lack of cultural relevance contribute to the challenges. Historically, faith-based organizations have led the movement to reach at- risk African American communities using culturally appropriate health promotion to address chronic diseases.
The Genesis Health Project Network, a community-designed, culturally competent intervention, has developed and started to implement the breast cancer program in the Syracuse community. Co-founded by Cowart in 2004, the Genesis Project is a partnership between minority churches, community and government sponsors and Syracuse University’s Falk College to reduce health disparities in minority populations. Under Cowart’s leadership, the Genesis Project has successfully facilitated health seminars, fitness programs, educational programs at barbershops, and healthy lifestyle activities with churches and universities. Her work and the Genesis Health Project were recognized with numerous honors, including the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities Director’s Award in 2008 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Institutes of Health.
Through pastoral health messaging and culturally appropriate strategies, the grant will support efforts to heighten awareness of breast cancer risks and prevention, promote mammography and early detection, and increase awareness of free/low-cost mammography and adoption of healthier behaviors.
Study Identifies Key Components for Prevention, Intervention Programs for Adolescent Smoking in China
Falk College professors, Ambika Krishnakumar (Child and Family Studies) and Lutchmie Narine (Public Health) authored “Parenting practices and adolescent smoking in mainland China: The mediating effect of smoking-related cognitions,” which appeared in the August 2014 edition of the Journal of Adolescence. In collaboration with Dr. Yan Wang, Drs. Krishnakumar and Narine examined the direct and indirect associations of general and smoking-specific parenting practices with Chinese adolescents’ smoking behaviors. Results suggest that parenting practices and smoking-related cognitions are critical components to be incorporated in prevention and intervention programs for adolescent smoking in China.
Falk College Seed Grants awarded for 2014-15
Each year, the David B. Falk College Research Center, in collaboration with the Dean’s Office, awards seed grants on a competitive basis to assist faculty with completing preparatory work for research projects that have a high likelihood to compete for external funding. The 2014-15 seed grant recipients include:
Development and evaluation of a mind-body awareness intervention to enhance self-regulation as a mechanism to promote healthy weight among young children.
Dessa Bergen-Cico, assistant professor, Public Health
Rachel Razza, assistant professor, Child and Family Studies
Cultivating food justice: using photovoice to document the outcomes of a pilot food system intervention program for youth
Evan Weissman, assistant professor, Food Studies
Housing and LGBTQ youth
Maria Brown, professor of practice, School of Social Work and Aging Studies Institute
Deborah Coolhart, assistant professor, Marriage and Family Therapy
How do Iraqi refugees experience and make sense of family relationships as they resettle in a host country?
Rashmi Gangamma, assistant professor, Marriage and Family Therapy
In memoriam: patient advocate, author Jessie C. Gruman H’11
Jessie C. Gruman, president and founder of the Center for Advancing Health (CFAH), died on July 14, 2014 after a long illness. Dr. Gruman was the recipient of an honorary doctor of humane letters degree from Syracuse University in 2011. With the philosophy that people will not benefit from the healthcare available to them unless they can participate fully and competently in it, Jessie Gruman thoughtfully and passionately drew on her own experience of treatment for multiple cancer diagnoses, plus surveys, peer-reviewed research and interviews with patients and caregivers as the basis of her work to advocate for policies and practices to overcome the challenges people face in finding good care and getting the most from it.
“We at Falk College were honored to know and be able to nominate Jesse Gruman for an honorary degree at Syracuse University. She led an inspired and committed life giving voice to endless medical consumers. Her advocacy for medical patients and research has helped create a more responsive healthcare system,” notes Diane Lyden Murphy, dean, Falk College.
In 2011, she was the featured guest speaker for a special Falk College lecture where she presented, “The Patient in Patient-Centered Care: What Clinicians Need to Know.” She authored many publications, including “The Experience of the American Patient: Risk, Trust and Choice” (Health Behavior Media, 2009), “Behavior Matters” (Health Behavior Media, 2008) and “AfterShock: What to Do When the Doctor Gives You–or Someone You Love–a Devastating Diagnosis” (Walker Publishing, second edition, 2010), as well as scientific papers and opinion essays and articles.
During her lifetime, Gruman was honored by Research!America for her leadership in advocacy for health research. In addition to her honorary degree from Syracuse University, she received honorary doctorates from Brown University, Carnegie Mellon University, Clark University, Georgetown University, New York University, Northeastern University, Salve Regina University and Tulane University. She was a recipient of the Presidential Medal of The George Washington University. Gruman earned her bachelor’s degree from Vassar College and a Ph.D. in social psychology from Columbia University. In addition to her leadership of The Center for Advancing Health, a nonpartisan Washington-based policy institute funded by foundations and individuals in 1992 to work on patient engagement, she was a professorial lecturer in the School of Public Health and Health Services at The George Washington University.
“Jessie was a tireless advocate for patients. For the past ten years, she focused her efforts and the efforts of CFAH on advancing patient engagement as well as helping people find and benefit from good healthcare. The Center has lost a brilliant colleague. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Jessie have lost a dear friend. We will deeply miss her powerful and inspiring voice for patients, families and caregivers,” said M. Chris Gibbons, M.D., MPH, CFAH board of trustees chair.
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