Population Health

Graduate Program Update

 

February 15, 2007

Informational
Websites

 

Biostatistics and

Medical Informatics
 

Demography and Ecology

Demography of Health

and Aging

Economics

Environmental Studies

 Institute for Research

on Poverty Seminars

La Follette School of
Public Affairs

 Sociology

Statistics

Transdisciplinary
Studies of Health and Society Working Group

 

Counseling and
Consultation Services

Graduate School

Graduate Student Council

Software Training
for Students

Teaching Assistants'
Association (TAA)

TAA Contract

Writing Center
Classes

Important Program Reminders


Request to Graduate Procedures

If you plan to graduate Spring 2007 or Summer 2007, you must submit a completed “Graduation Request Packet” to Population Health Graduate Program Office by the appropriate deadline listed below:

Spring: March 15 or 4 weeks before defense (whichever occurs sooner)
Summer: July 15 or 4 weeks before defense (whichever occurs sooner)

Information about the documentation required to graduate can be found at “Request to Graduate Information” at: http://www.pophealth.wisc.edu/grad/info_curr_grad.htm

“Epidemiology Option” on Transcript

If you would like the “Epidemiology Option” to be noted on your transcript please email Kelly Haslam at haslam@wisc.edu by March 2, 2007.

The Population Health Graduate Program Office submits a list of Epi Option students once a semester to the Graduate School. The Graduate School then includes the following notation on student transcripts: “Option: Epidemiology.”

Master’s Thesis Proposal Submission

After choosing a thesis topic, you are expected to submit a thesis proposal to your advisor -- which once approved is distributed to your thesis committee. Once your thesis committee approves your proposal, you are required to submit a Master’s Thesis Proposal form to the Graduate Program Office at 744 WARF. This form should be submitted before you proceed with the work of your thesis.
You can find the Master’s Thesis Proposal form at:
http://www.pophealth.wisc.edu/grad/info_curr_grad.htm

Other Program Steps/Guidelines

For further details regarding the above or other program issues, please refer to the Academic Guide for further information: http://www.pophealth.wisc.edu/grad/info_curr_grad.htm

Recognition

The Rankin Memorial Committee has announced the winners of the 2007 Rankin/Skatrud Travel Awards, in honor of the late John Rankin, M.D., former chairman of Preventive Medicine and James Skatrud, M.D., Chief of Pulmonary Division, Department of Medicine at UW-Madison.

Victor Herrera, M.D. (supervisor Leonelo Bautista, M.D., DrPH.) A Masters student in Population Health Sciences will present his research
entitled "Optimal cut points for anthropometric indexes of obesity to identify high risk of coronary heart disease in Latin American population" at the annual meeting of the Society for Epidemiologic Research in Boston this June.

Brian L. Sprague, M.S. (supervisor Amy Trentham-Dietz, Ph.D.) A Ph.D. student in Population Health Sciences will present his research entitled " Population attributable fraction of breast cancer in postmenopausal women" at the annual meeting of the Society for Epidemiologic Research in Boston this June.

Congratulations on a job very well done!


Student Organization News


Population Health Poster Session

Please mark your calendars!  The 2007 PHS Poster Session will be held on March 26, 2007, in the HSLC atrium. All MS, PhD, and MPH students are invited to present a poster, as well as PHS faculty, fellows, and staff. Abstracts will be accepted through March 12th. More details to follow soon.

Polar Plunge

The 2007 PHS Polar Plunge Team will be plunging this Saturday in the icy waters of Lake Monona, and has raised $971.00 so far for the Special Olympics. If you'd still like to get involved or donate money to the team, please contact Carissa Gottlieb (cagottlieb@wisc.edu), the team captain, or Peter Vila (pmvila@wisc.edu) for details. You can donate quickly and easily online if you like - just visit the team web page at http://www.specialolympicswisconsin.org/pp07/team.asp?id_t=344.
Thank you!

Student Organization Elects New Officers

The results of the recent Student Organization elections are as follows:

Internal coordinators

Co-president (Sarah Kazmierczak, Peter Vila)
Student volunteering coordinator (Marissa Courey)
Meeting planning and communications coordinator (Anna Kocharian)
Alumni representative (Position not filled)
Website coordinator (Matt Maenner)
Social chair (Brian Harahan)

Departmental liaisons

Recruitment and admissions committee representative (Salwa Massad)
Curriculum committee representative (Justin Lo)
Work environment committee representative (Matt Walsh)
Departmental committee representative (Carissa Gottlieb)

Event committee chairs

Graduate luncheon committee chair (Jessica Athens, Angela Kempf)
Poster session committee chair (Melissa Boeke, Angela Kempf)
STARS committee chair (Molly Kloosterboer)

Pop Health to Volunteer at UW Bucky Blood Drive

Please contact Marissa Courey (mkcourey@wisc.edu) if interested in volunteering
during Pop Health's volunteer slot:  Friday, February 23 from 11:50-2:10.

On February 22-23 (Thursday and Friday) and February 26-27 (Monday and Tuesday) , from 10:00-6:00 at Union South Give Life and the American Red Cross will be teaming up to sponsor the UW Bucky Blood Drive. This blood drive will be an opportunity for Madison students, faculty, and community members to join together in an attempt to both save lives, break the current campus blood donation record and compete against other Big 10 schools in the Big Ten Blood Challenge while enjoying entertainment by some of UW Madison’s most talented performing groups and refreshments donated by the local business community. With those goals in mind, we anticipate needing approximately 350 volunteers to help out before, during, and after the drive.

Please arrive approximately 5 minutes before your scheduled shift to sign-in, pick up your t-shirt and nametag, and be briefed on your responsibilities as a volunteer. An unsecured area will be available to leave backpacks, if needed. Volunteers are expected to remain at Union South for the entire duration of their two hour and twenty minute shift and to abide by American Red Cross Code of Conduct.

Blood Donation

If they are able, volunteers are encouraged to donate blood either before or after their shift. Appointments can be made at www.givelife.org, but walk-ins are also welcome. It takes approximately one and a half hours to go through the donation process, so please schedule appointments accordingly. To donate blood, you must be at least 17 years old and weigh 110 pounds. You must also bring a photo ID, eat a good meal before donating, and have not donated blood within the past 56 days. For answers to more specific donor eligibility questions, please visit www.givebloodgivelife.org.

Please contact Ben Trachtenberg, Give Life’s Volunteer Coordinator, at btrachtenber@wisc.edu with any questions or concerns.


Departmental Seminars

Monday Seminar Series

http://pophealth.wisc.edu/seminar.htm

All regular seminars held 12:00 noon, in Room 1309 Health Sciences Learning Center unless otherwise noted. Seminars on the first Monday of the month are co-sponsored by the UW Population Health Institute.

February 19

Lawrence P. Hanrahan, PhD, MS, Director of Public Health Informatics, Chief Epidemiologist, Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services and Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Population Health Sciences, “The Role of Informatics in Transforming Public Health: Wisconsin’s Public Health Information Network.”

February 26

Elliott S. Fisher, MD, MPH, Professor of Medicine and Community and Family Medicine, Dartmouth Medical School, “Spending Quality and the Paradox of Plenty.”

If you have any questions about the departmental seminars, call Patty Grubb at 5-0516 or contact her by e-mail at pagrubb@wisc.edu

Wednesday Seminar Series

All seminars are held from 12:00-1:00 PM in 132 WARF unless otherwise indicated.

February 21 

Victor Herrera:  "Optimal cut points for anthropometric indexes of obesity to identify high risk of coronary heart disease in Latin American population"

February 28

Tosha Wetterneck:  "Medication Safety and CPOE in the ICU Setting"


Other Opportunities & Updates

Student Essay Prize

The New York Academy of Medicine Student Essay Prize in the History of Medicine and Public Health - March 30 deadline. The New York Academy of Medicine invites entries for the third annual New York Academy of Medicine Student Essay Prize, awarded to the best unpublished essay by a graduate student in a medical, nursing, pharmacy, or public health program in the United States. Essays should address topics in the history of public health or medicine as they relate to urban health issues; they may consider social or environmental factors in the health of urban populations, institutional histories, or specific diseases. The winner will receive $500, and the winning essay will receive expedited review for possible publication in the Journal of Urban Health. Honorable Mention prizes may also be awarded at the discretion of the Prize Committee.

The contest is open to students in accredited professional degree programs in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and public health. Essays must be written entirely by one person, who must have been a student at the time the essay was written. Essays should be approximately 2,000 to 3,000 words long, and should follow the guidelines in the Journal's instructions for authors. Entries will be evaluated on the quality and originality of the research, the significance of the topic, and appropriateness for  publication in the Journal of Urban Health.

Essays must be received by Friday, March 30, 2007. For more information, please call us at 212-822-7314, visit http://www.nyam.org/grants/studentessay.shtml, or write historyessay@nyam.org.

The Historical Collections of the New York Academy of Medicine Library also sponsors two research fellowships. Visit http://www.nyam.org/grants/history.shtml for more information.

The New York Academy of Medicine is a not-for-profit educational institution established in 1847 to enhance the health of the public. With its membership of 2,700 leading practitioners, medical  researchers, administrators, health sciences educators and other health care professionals, the Academy is a leader in addressing issues important to health in the United States, especially problems associated with urban environments. The Academy's library maintains one of the largest medical history collections libraries in the United States, including approximately 32,000 rare items dating from 1600 B.C. through the twentieth century.


POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP
IN CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE EPIDEMIOLOGY AND PREVENTION,
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA


The Division of Epidemiology & Community Health of the University of Minnesota is seeking candidates for a postdoctoral training fellowship in cardiovascular disease epidemiology and prevention beginning approximately September 2007. The two- to three-year fellowship, which provides a stipend, is sponsored by the National Institutes of Health. Candidates must have either an MD or a PhD degree, and must be either a U.S. citizen or have permanent residency status. Qualified and interested minority candidates are particularly sought.

Training emphasizes research methods in the epidemiology and prevention of cardiovascular disease. Division research includes work in observational population studies, clinical trials, community studies, and laboratory methodology. Graduates gain competency in designing, administering, and analyzing cardiovascular population studies or preventive programs.

Training can include formal coursework in epidemiology, biostatistics, nutrition, physiology, and behavioral science. Fellows may seek an MS or an MPH degree during the course of the fellowship.

The Division has a faculty of 50, including scholars in cardiology, behavioral science, biostatistics, epidemiology, nutrition, health education, and anthropology.


For more information on the training program, see the following websites:

Division of Epidemiology & Community Health, University of Minnesota www.epi.umn.edu

NHLBI Training Programs www.nhlbi.nih.gov/funding/training/epi-bio/folsom.htm


Inquiries or responses to: Aaron R. Folsom, MD, MPH
Director of CVD Training Program
Division of Epidemiology & Community Health
School of Public Health
University of Minnesota
1300 South 2nd St., Suite 300
Minneapolis, MN 55454-1015

Telephone 612-626-8862
FAX 612-624-0315
email folsom@epi.umn.edu

Instructor/Assistant Professor/Associate Professor
Health Studies / Health Sciences / Allied Health

The Kinesiology and Health Studies Department at Southeastern Louisiana University invites applications for an Instructor or tenure-track Assistant/Associate Professor position available August 2007. Qualifications: For the rank of Instructor, applicants must have a master’s degree in Health Promotion, Health Management, Healthcare Administration, or closely related field. For tenure-track rank of Assistant or Associate Professor, applicants must have a doctorate degree in Heal Promotion, Health Management, Healthcare Administration, or closely related field (to be eligible for this position, applicants must have completed all requirements for the degree by August 1, 2007). Additional desired qualifications include work experience in health care, university teaching experience; and evidence of scholarly productivity and research potential. Applicants must be committed to working with diversity.

The University has recently implemented an undergraduate degree designed for students who have completed an associate degree or certification program in an allied health care specialization. The duties of this position will focus on this program, and include coordination, student advising, teaching associated coursed (e.g. Health Care Delivery Systems, Health Care Law and Ethics, Health Care Administration) as well as other courses offered by the department, and providing service to the department, college, university, and community. Additional responsibilities of faculty appointed at the Assistant or Associate Professor rank include engaging in research and scholarly activity.

Southeastern Louisiana University, a progressive regional, comprehensive, interactive university, enrolls over 15,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The University’s home, Hammond, is at the cross roads of Interstates 55 and 12 in the heart of Louisiana’s thriving Northshore, the fastest growing region of the state. The Department of Kinesiology and Health Studies is one of three academic units in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. The department serves over 600 undergraduate majors pursuing degree programs in Athletic Training, Health and Physical Education, Health Education and Promotion, Health Studies, and Kinesiology, and 50 graduate students seeking the master’s degree in Health and Kinesiology. Applicants are encouraged to learn more about the department and university by visiting our website at http://www.selu.edu/khs.

To ensure consideration, application materials must be received by March 16, 2007. Applicants should send a letter of application, vitae, names and contact information for three references, photocopies of recent publications, and copies of all transcripts (official transcripts will be required upon employment) to: Keri Diez, Search Committee Chair, Department of Kinesiology & Health Studies, Southeastern Louisiana University, SLU Box 10845, Hammond, LA 70402. Southeastern is an AA/ADA/EEO employer.


Research Scientist Supervisor
Communicable Disease Epidemiology, Section Chief

Career Executive
Dane (County 13)
Job Announcement Code: 07-00485

LOCATION: Dane (County 13)

HIRING ORGANIZATION: The Department of Health and Family Services (DHFS); Division of Public Health (DPH); Bureau of Communicable Diseases and Preparedness in Madison.

SALARY: The starting salary is between $50,059 and $80,204 per year depending upon qualifications, plus excellent benefits. The pay schedule/range is 81/02. A two-year Career Executive trial period is required. This position is not represented by a bargaining unit.

JOB DUTIES: This position serves as the Chief of the Communicable Diseases Epidemiology Section providing programmatic, scientific, and technical leadership for the epidemiologic investigation and control of acute and infectious diseases. This position is actively involved in the Division of Public Health’s bioterrorism and pandemic influenza preparedness efforts and provides consultation and direction in the development of guidelines of diagnosis and treatment, surveillance, control, and prevention of communicable diseases. This position also directs the design, implementation, and analysis of studies and investigations of communicable diseases; directs the development and submission of federal grants; monitors grant performance objectives; and serves as a liaison with federal, state, and local health and environmental agencies and as a program spokesperson with the media as needed.

JOB KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of etiology, pathogenesis, epidemiology, and control of acute and communicable diseases, including diagnosis and treatment; clinical and laboratory interpretation of medical results; disease surveillance procedures, techniques, and investigation; Wisconsin medical care system regarding communicable diseases; case control and risk assessment and communication techniques; epidemiological data analysis and interpretation; principles of public administration including the supervision of personnel; operating budget and fiscal management techniques; ability to write reports, grant applications and preparation of scientific publications; and good written and oral communication skills.

WELL-QUALIFIED CANDIDATES: will have a doctorate in a health or science-related field.

APPLICATION INFORMATION: For applicants who do not have Career Executive status in the classified state service, submit an Application for State Employment (OSER-DMRS-38); a current resume; and a paper limited to 4 pages describing your education, training and/or work experience related to: 1) providing consultation and direction in the development and implementation of communicable disease programs and policies that incorporate diagnosis and treatment, surveillance, control, and prevention components; 2) developing, implementing and analyzing epidemiologic investigations of communicable diseases; 3) preparing health related grant applications or summary reports for scientific publications; and 4) supervising or leading the work of health care professionals or other professionals (include the number, type and title of staff supervised or led). These materials are the examination for this position.

NOTE: For applicants who have Career Executive status in the classified state service, submit the Application for State Employment form (OSER-DMRS -38) and a detailed resume.

Send application/examination materials to Veronica Law; DHFS/BPER, Room 555, 1 West Wilson Street; PO Box 7850, Madison, WI 53707-7850 or FAX (608) 267-2147 or mail to LawVB@dhfs.state.wi.us. You can get the State Application form at the OSER website http://oser.state.wi.us/docview.asp?docid=1121 or call to request one at (608)267-9893 (voice) or (888)701-1251 (TextNet).

The deadline to receive application/examination materials is March 6, 2007. Materials of non-Career Executive applicants will be evaluated and the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate with the Career Executive applicants in the next step of the selection process.


Graduate Teaching Assistant (TA) Position for
2007 Principles of Population Health Science (795)

Overview
The Department of Population Health Sciences is seeking a Graduate Teaching Assistant to help with the development and instruction of the 2007 Principles of Population Health Science (795) Course (Fall). The purpose of this course is to provide students with a foundation for understanding: 1) how population health is defined and measured; 2) the biological, cultural, social, economic, and healthcare determinants of population health; 3) the research development and design for studying population health; and 4) prevention and intervention strategies for improving population health.

Position Description
Teaching Assistant responsibilities will involve the development of course materials. These development and “course construction” activities will be conducted in collaboration with the Course Director over the Spring and Summer of 2007. Additional responsibilities will include preparation time for in-class meetings (such as lectures, tutorials, review sessions, discussion sections, and lab sessions), grading, office hours and lecture attendance.


Qualifications

Requirements for the position include:
• Must have recently completed Principles of Population Health Science (795)
Preference will be given to applicants who:
• Are enrolled in the PhD program in Population Health and have completed their comprehensive exams (1st year)

Please contact Dr. Witt (wwitt@wisc.edu), the 2007 PHS 795 Course Director, to apply or to obtain more information.

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Send us your announcements and we will include them in the next issue of the Program Update. Send your announcements to us at lmsteiner@wisc.edu.

All announcements we receive that appear relevant to students, faculty and/or staff are included in the program update. Inclusion of an announcement in the program update does not imply endorsement of it.

   

 

© Department of Population Health Sciences