Faculty Appreciation: Remembering The Times We Had Together

Becky Fein, MPH ’12 in the Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health

“As we go on/ we remember/ all the times we/ had together”…  Perhaps a curse of my generation, these phenomenally cheesy (yet catchy) Vitamin C pop song lyrics come to mind as graduation approaches.

With or without this late ‘90s soundtrack, graduation lends itself to reflection—reflection about what we’ve learned, how we’ve grown, who we’ve met, and who has helped us to achieve this monumental goal.

Of late, my classmates and I have been doing a lot of reflecting on this last point in particular: who are the people who make the program and our experiences as students so solid?  The resounding sentiment, across all six departments, is that the faculty and staff are central to the success and well-being of the students at Mailman, whether it’s that individual professor who inspired a new way of thinking and shaped the direction of our career aspirations, or perhaps an overall feeling of appreciation for the synergy of our faculty teams.

In the Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health (PopFam), where I’ve had the pleasure of residing over the past two years, the graduating class of 2012 came together to produce a parting gift to our beloved faculty.  Inspired by the creative mind of my fellow student Sharon Washington, we decided to make a video celebrating our experiences. I signed on as cinematographer, producer, and editor.

Our classmates responded with enthusiasm and, soon enough, nearly 25% of the graduating class, representing each of the four tracks within PopFam, offered to appear in the video.  Armed with a Flip cam and a tripod, we gathered several hours of footage of soon-to-be Masters in Public Health reflecting on their experiences in PopFam.  The fervent response we received from our colleagues was telling of the overall community, passion, and earnestness that defines PopFam.

This nostalgia-rich project guided my own reflections on a major life experience: moving to New York City from a tiny Northern California town, starting up a social life from scratch in a brand new place, and undertaking a rigorous academic program.  Shooting pictures and film clips of the campus, searching to find the best angles of buildings, the best views of this beautiful city from the buildings, and the characterizing features of the PopFam department, I couldn’t help but reminisce on the bests and most characteristic features of my own New York experience.

In the end, all I can say is: New York and Mailman—it’s been good, I’ve loved it all.

Click below to watch A Tribute to the Faculty of the Department of Population and Family Health. (Please note: the sound is soft. It gets much louder after the 35 second mark.)

Diversity, Racial Awareness, and Public Health

Becky Fein, MPH ’12 in the Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health

There’s a buzz around campus, a conversation brewing.  I’ve heard it in classrooms, in offices, in the elevators; people are talking about race.

As we all become professionals in the field of public health, students, faculty, and staff alike are wondering where and how to strike up the critical conversations around race and society as it pertains to our personal lives and aspiring careers.

Sharon Washington speaks at the Critical Race Think Tank mini-conference on April 26.

One student-led discussion group, the Critical Race Think Tank led by Sharon Washington, MPH 2012, and Dr. Robert Fullilove, took to igniting this conversation around campus over this past semester.  Charged with the goal of eliminating racial/ethnic health disparities, the Race Think Tank offers a platform for deep thought and discussion, and studies the work of many important scholars of race including Tim Wise, Toni Morrison, and Anne Fadiman, to name a few.  Topics of conversation included differing worldviews and philosophies, prisons, culturally appropriate public health training, and white supremacy and privilege.

Many of us are currently working with or will soon be working with populations of people who are part of a racial or ethnic minority.  Whether we are prepared with the necessary level of cultural awareness and sensitivity seems to be a question on many of our minds.  The goal of this student-created and student-run Think Tank was to build upon the commitment of the Mailman community to racial diversity and cultural awareness with a series of recommendations for the integration of this ongoing discussion into campus life and course material.

In addition to enhancing the training of public health professionals on issues of race in society, the Think Tank was an open forum for safe discourse around processing and healing.  Every Tuesday afternoon, students delved into the deeply engrained feelings of anger, guilt, sadness, empowerment, strength, superiority, and the many other emotions on the huge spectrum that can be felt by each of us having grown up in a society that still holds strong to a system of oppression.

The culminating event of the Think Tank was a mini-conference that took place this past week.  With Dean Fried, Dean Delva, and many faculty members in attendance, the presenters discussed the content of the semester’s think tank discussions, revealed the results of a campus-wide survey that was conducted to gauge students’ attitudes about their training and knowledge regarding racial and ethnic minority cultures, and recommendations for the campus moving forward.  In her opening remarks, Dean Marlyn Delva expressed that “a safe space to discuss these critical issues in the profession is crucial.”

The Think Tank has been well-received and well-supported by the Mailman community this semester, as can be seen through the strong faculty and staff presence at this mini-conference this past week.  Dean Linda Fried stood up to express her deep appreciation of the hard work that was devoted to this project and her commitment to the continuation of this discussion, leading to an outburst of applause from the audience.

I appreciate the foundation that this student innovation has left for future generations of our Mailman colleagues.  Their legacy goes beyond the tangibles that they have created: a course reader, a mini-conference, a very educational YouTube channel (definitely worth bookmarking in your browser and exploring thoroughly), and a solid syllabus for future replication.  The student group is an inspiration and precedent set for students to utilize this unique school experience to gather, share expertise, problem-solve, and think through the difficult, yet crucial social injustices that exist and undoubtedly impact our global public health work.

Finding a Practicum: One Student’s Experience

By Mariko Rasmussen, MPH ’13 in Department of Population and Family Health

I always knew that I wanted to study abroad and gain international public health research and program experience during my time at Mailman. In fact, this in-the-field experience—what’s known as a practicum—is an essential part of getting an MPH. Students choose from all manner of health projects in dozens of countries around the world. There are a lot of options!

Here I am at the Cloisters, thinking about where to go.

The process

My first semester here, I often heard, “Don’t think about the practicum yet!” This was actually somewhat easy, considering my mind was preoccupied with completing five core courses and working part time at Women Deliver. But as soon as I got back from winter break, finding a practicum took priority.

While it’s possible to do your own independent practicum, students like myself without extensive international experience are encouraged to apply for department-sponsored practicum sites. I could also, if need be, consider domestic opportunities.

On January 20, I attended the Population and Family Health department practicum panel and listened to presentations from second-year students from department-sponsored sites such as Dominican Republic, Uganda, and Ghana, and from students who found independent sites.

The presenters suggested we ask ourselves questions like, “Do I prefer to be isolated or surrounded by people,” and, “Do I prefer a structured or looser environment?” They were also honest about how many times things did not go as planned. They arrived to their site to find that the project had changed somehow, like the data they were prepared to analyze hadn’t yet been collected, and they had to throw out their original work plan in favor of something new. The presenters emphasized that each opportunity would have different challenges, but we’d learn a great deal. The theme of the day was to be flexible.

The application

We had until February 15th to submit a resume and fill out the practicum application on SurveyMonkey. The application allowed us to rank our first and second choice of sites, and asked questions such as what our professional objectives are after graduation. I knew I wanted to conduct public health research, focusing on sound data collection and analysis, to gather evidence to improve the scope and quality of reproductive health policies, programs, services, and technologies. I chose two programs in Africa that I thought offered me the best opportunity to do exactly that.

The verdict

I’m going to Uganda! The Student Academic Practicum Program at the Rakai Health Sciences Program (RHSP) provides students with the opportunity to work with a comprehensive HIV education, prevention, and treatment program in a high-risk setting in Africa. RHSP was founded in 1988 and is located in Kalisozo, three hours south of the capital of Kampala. During my 10-week summer practicum, I’ll be completing an original research project under the guidance of local staff. Projects change from year to year, and I just got an email with project descriptions for me to rank in terms of my interest. I’m awaiting word on what project I’ll be matched to. I’m excited to apply my classroom skills in the field!

Vagina Monologues at CUMC: Campus Unites for a Poignant and Profitable Production

Becky Fein, MPH ‘12 in the Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health

While there is certainly no shortage of opportunities here at Mailman and Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) to hear about sexuality and sexual health in an academic or research-oriented context, there is only one time of the year on campus that students, professors, and affiliates take to the stage to discuss what their vaginas would say if they could speak, what they would wear if they got dressed, and to demonstrate the dynamic sounds of sexual climax in the hallowed halls of Alumni Auditorium.

Last month was the 2^nd annual performance of the Vagina Monologues at CUMC that I had the honor of directing and producing alongside a phenomenal team of students.  If you have not experienced the pleasure of this thought-provoking, intense, and sometimes raucous series of interviews compiled by playwright and activist Eve Ensler, I cannot recommend it highly enough. The Vagina Monologues are part of a grassroots movement working to raise awareness and bring an end to sexual violence around the world.  The show covers a wide breadth of topics encompassing the pleasure of womanhood and sexuality and the dangers that sometimes accompany it.

Becky Fein after the show (Photo: Annie Tiberio Cameron)

Our cast and crew in the last two years have represented every school at CUMC: Public Health, Nursing, Physicians & Surgeons, and Dentistry.  For about 10 weeks, this group of 50 or so cast members, musicians, stage crew, and volunteers found common ground and a basis for bonding.  I found this production to be a unique opportunity to collaborate with these different schools that exist side-by-side on West 168^th Street.

Eve Ensler’s compilation of monologues is particularly poignant in the context of CUMC. The themes that we, the students, faculty, and staff constantly come across in our professional and academic lives are threaded through the show.  For example, there is one monologue that describes the birth of a baby that is performed by a student who has indeed delivered babies. The real-life experience that she brings to the stage gives her piece genuine wisdom and depth.  Another monologue, which describes rape being used as a tactic of war in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is performed by an activist who has worked in the DRC against these atrocities.

I found the themes expressed in the monologues feel ever more relevant in the face of mounting adversity in the realm of women’s reproductive freedoms and autonomy. The Vagina Monologues at CUMC bring to the forefront the key question of how we, as professionals in different, yet inherently interwoven fields, work together to solve these health and human rights issues around the world.  Just as we worked together to create and perform a show that shines a light on a shadowed issue, we can work to expand the mindset of passion and collaboration that brought us together on stage into our professional work

We are proud to say that our production raised over to $11,000 for VDay—Eve Ensler’s organization to end violence against women, and DOVE (Domestic & Other Violent Emergencies), a nonprofit at NewYork-Presbyterian.

The Cast (Photo: Jenny Tiberio, MPH candidate in the Department of Population and Family Health, Global Health Track)

Falling in Love with NYC: Yet Another Reason to Come to Columbia’s Mailman School

By Mariko Rasmussen, MPH ’13 in Department of Population and Family Health

Sure, it’s the world-class faculty, the talented and diverse student body, research opportunities, strong alumni network, and school-sponsored practicum sites that draw students to Mailman. And it’s also the great student-run events: screenings of award-winning films, seeing friends perform in the Vagina Monologues, decorating cupcakes with the Sexual and Reproductive Health Action Group (SHAG).

cupcake for Vday event

But I’d like to focus on the other big draw – New York City! – as I prepare to leave it for the summer (practicum destination to be determined). Whether you’re considering an accelerated program, a master’s, or a doctorate, spending one, two, or more years in any city is a commitment that will shape your life as a public health student. For a lot of us at Mailman, the Big Apple is the big magnet.

On Campus or Off?

I chose living off campus, so I can’t speak to those that chose to live nearby (though I can imagine the argument goes something like… “it’s so great to roll out of bed and walk to class/work/the library/etc.”). Instead, I can tell you that a long commute isn’t so bad, and you should even consider living in boroughs other than Manhattan. I live in Brooklyn, but have met Mailman students that live in every one of the five boroughs, as well as the states of New Jersey and Connecticut.

Brooklyn

Take the Subway!

If you live off campus, chances are you’ll become well acquainted with the MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority). The main two subway lines serving the Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) campus are the 1 and the A, C. I recommend getting a monthly pass for $104, so that you won’t be doing mental math every single time you ride. (A single ride is $2.50.) If you live, work, and study in different neighborhoods, you’ll get more than enough use out of it to make it worth the cost. A long commute means you can actually find a seat and get some reading done for class. Unless you prefer reading things like this:

Study Off Campus

New York is filled with coffee shops, cafes, bookstores, and other nice spots to study and work. Also, don’t forget about “downtown” – the main Columbia campus. Head to the undergraduate campus libraries and talk to students at SIPA (School of International and Public Affairs) and other graduate schools to find out where the best spots are. I’d tell you mine, but then you’d take them.

Williamsburg Bridge, benches

Take Advantage of the City

There are tons of free things to do in NYC. I like checking out newyork.timeout.com and nymag.com to get ideas and cuarts.com for free museums to visit and other discounts available to Columbia students.

Metropolitan Museum of Art

Stay Active

It’s easy to lose track of staying healthy and active as a busy grad student, which is ironic when you’re studying public health. If the gym doesn’t do it for you, I recommend finding a recreational league to play in. I’ve been doing nycoedsoccer.com for a few years; it’s a great way to meet people outside of the school sphere. I also ran a half-marathon last year with nyrr.org and plan to run another soon.

me post race

That’s all for now. While I heart NY, I am so excited to be going abroad this summer. I hope to check in next time with more of an idea of where I’ll be doing my practicum.

Working to Improve Health, from Haiti to Greece

Reblogged from Executive MPH Blog:

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Jason Friesen, EMT-P, is a student in the Executive MPH class at Mailman (’12), and lives in Port-au-Prince where he is the Country Representative for Project HOPE, an international health aid organization. He can be contacted at jfriesen@projecthope.org

The Pandemic of Preventable Death and Disability On Monday, January 16, at 9:30 p.m. a large truck coming down Route de Delmas…

Read more… 783 more words

Executive MPH student, Jason Friesen, EMT-P, discusses injury prevention, mobile phones and working for Project HOPE in Haiti.

Crash Course on Clinical Management of HIV in Central Asia

By Cho-Yau Ling, MPH ’12 in Health Policy and Management

I am doing well in Almaty, though I can’t say I’ve been here much in the past month. I have been traveling with the data collection team to conduct our baseline assessment of care and treatment services in Central Asia. In the past month, I have been to six sites with the Kazakhstan team and one with the Kyrgyzstan team near Bishkek. Each trip has been eye-opening for us as we try to understand the care and treatment system in Central Asia. I wrote about this in previous updates, but the assessments have taught me an immense amount about research, specifically how to develop and implement study designs.

With the assessment team in Kyrgyzstan visiting a famous archeological site called Burana near Bishkek.

I’m also getting a crash course on clinical management of HIV in Central Asia. Prior to these assessments, I could not tell you why one would start a preventive course of co-trimoxazole or when a patient should receive anti-retroviral therapy (ART). While this is the not the main objective of my practicum here in Almaty, learning about the World Health Organization’s and the Ministry of Health’s guidelines for care and treatment has been fascinating. I also never thought I would be able to read a person’s medical chart and identify discrepancies between the medical staff’s recommendations and the various guidelines concerning care and treatment of people living with HIV.  It makes me want to be an infectious disease specialist, if it weren’t for the many many more years of medical school that I would need.

We are currently at our last data collection site in Almaty’s City AIDS Center. Today during our site assessment, I realized how much I have gotten out of this practicum. My Russian, while still not amazing, has improved dramatically since the first month I arrived. This is especially true for my Russian reading skills. Secondly, I believe I have applied the knowledge I have gained from my classes concerning management, biostatistics, and epidemiology to my work in Central Asia. I find the knowledge from my coursework to be immensely helpful when we are selecting medical charts for our sample in the assessment. I have also realized that the main source of discrepancy between what is written in the research protocol and what is happening in practice stems from poor supervision and inadequate skills among the staff. I repeatedly studied these issues in my Strategic Management and Organizational Behavior courses and I am glad that I am able to identify these problems as they play out in real-life situations (though I would be even happier if they can be fixed for the sake of the patients here).

On a lighter note, ICAP Central Asia had a very good staff retreat three weeks ago. I was glad to meet the teams from the other ICAP countries and New York. I am still amazed at the camaraderie and good-humor of our ICAP team here. I loved it and I’m only beginning to realize how much I will miss my co-workers when I leave my practicum in December.

View Cho-Yau Ling’s earlier post, Then and Now: A Former Peace Corps Volunteer Returns to Work in Central Asia and Government Care and Treatment Services in Central Asia for more about his work with ICAP.