As we move into summer, our research studies have reached some important milestones. Baseline survey collection is complete in the Total Teacher Health school-based well-being project, with 900 teachers participating from two CT districts. The survey will guide interventions to help teachers address stress from work overload. Results from pilot testing of a TWH Employer Crisis Preparedness course for Human Resources personnel will be used to create and disseminate an online course this fall. The SHIFT healthcare project is transitioning to a self-sustaining participatory TWH program in a mental healthcare work environment, with customization directed by the facility personnel themselves. Stay tuned this fall for dissemination of new TWH organizational readiness tools, a new TWH toolkit for unions and worker organizations, and a TWH Trends Webinar (Sept 21) by Peter Hasle on how to integrate safety into an organization's system of operations. 

CPH-NEW was awarded a $20,000 pilot grant (PI Serena Rice, MS, Co-I Alicia Kurowski, Co-I ScD and Laura Punnett, ScD) to conduct a study: Trade Union Staff Health and Well-Being: A Mixed Methods Study. The funding was awarded by the California Labor Lab at UC Berkely, a CDC Total Worker Health Center for Excellence. This project will characterize the work organization factors (e.g., long work hours, high demands, high stakes) experienced by union staff members and the long-term impacts on their overall health, safety, and well-being.

CPH-NEW Continuing Education and Training 

Building Total Worker Health Leaders in Unions and Worker Organizations Train the Trainer program: Are you a member or staff at a union or worker organization? This training is designed for you! Learn to implement TWH approaches in labor management health and safety committees. Registration for the September cohort is open now!

Total Worker Health Facilitator Training: Sharpen your facilitation skills and learn how to implement Total Worker Health using the Healthy Workplace Participatory Program, in this virtual training course. Register here for classes in September!

Congratulations

Suzanne Nobrega earned a PhD in Education Research and Evaluation at UMass Lowell School of Education (May ’23). Her study, Perspectives of Occupational Safety and Health Professionals on Total Worker Health Competencies, earned Outstanding Dissertation Award for the School of Education. Nobrega is CPH-NEW Associate Center Director and Outreach Director, an occupational safety and health research center within the UML Biomedical Engineering department.

Patricia A. MacCulloch earned a PhD in Nursing with a concentration in Health Promotion from UMass Lowell Solomont School of Nursing (April ’23). Her study, Investigating Hospital Safety Culture Characteristics Related to Nurse Patient Handling Policies and Practices: A Mixed Method Study, is intended to inform hospital administrators, nurse union leaders, registered nurses, and legislative efforts in the development of evidence based safe patient handling policy language and practice activity.

Alicia Dugan, assistant professor of medicine at the UConn School of Medicine, was highlighted for Spring 2023 Faculty Spotlight. Dugan received a citation from the 21st Surgeon General regarding her examplary approach to workplace mental health and well being. Her work with vulnerable worker populations in corrections, manufacturing, healthcare, and education is highlighted in a great spotlight video seen here.