College of Medicine Receives $1.59 Million Grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies To Increase Mobile Unit COVID-19 Vaccination Efforts |
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The College of Medicine has received a $1.59 million grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Greenwood Initiative to expand their mobile unit vaccine operations as equity and public health advocates signal the need for trusted vaccine administrators to combat lack of access and vaccine hesitancy within Black and medically underserved communities. The school’s mobile units reach the most vulnerable and work with trusted partners, such as the District of Columbia Department of Health, to set up temporary vaccination sites. The support from Bloomberg Philanthropies will provide mobile medical unit upgrades, paid staffing for the units, medical supplies and increased outreach to the community.
“COVID-19 has been devastating to the health and economic wellbeing of many Black families – and right now, increasing equitable access to vaccines is one way we can serve the needs of those who need it most," said Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg LP and Bloomberg Philanthropies and 108th mayor of New York City. “Bloomberg Philanthropies is glad to expand our partnership with America’s four historically Black medical schools as they ramp up their mobile operations and ensure that more people get their shots quickly.”
Howard University has vaccinated more than 25,000 people since December 2020. Howard’s efforts are focused on serving those most in need, including Black communities in areas that have low vaccination rates. This effort is coordinated in partnership with the District of Columbia as both an on-site vaccination clinic and mobile support unit in communities in need of vaccine access. Funding from Bloomberg Philanthropies will allow the College of Medicine to purchase a new, larger mobile unit to meet vaccination demand in Washington, D.C. and stand up a call center to make appointments over the phone for those who are unable to schedule online appointments.
“I am immensely grateful for the support of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Greenwood Initiative,” said President Wayne A. I. Frederick, M.D., MBA. “Howard University plays an outsized role in caring for the Black community in Washington, D.C. While this is always the case, it has been especially true during the pandemic. We have already vaccinated more than 25,000 people locally, but there are still many more who have struggled to access the vaccine and continue to be at greater risk. By helping fund our mobile unit, Bloomberg will enable us to vaccinate more of the Black community, a critical step in mitigating the effects of a devastating virus that has disproportionately affected African-American individuals.”
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David Edgerton III Named 2021 Truman Scholar |
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Graduating senior David Edgerton III has been named a 2021 Truman Scholar by the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation. Edgerton was selected from a pool of 845 applications from 328 institutions – a record number of applicants. As a Truman Scholar, Edgerton will receive funding to pursue graduate studies, leadership training, career counseling and special internship and fellowship opportunities within the federal government. Howard University is now the top HBCU producer of Truman Scholars with 12 recipients.
Edgerton is a political science major, legal communications minor from St. Paul, Minnesota. He serves as the civic engagement coordinator for the Howard University Student Association and president of the Howard University Speech and Debate team. He also serves as the director of forensics and teaches at Paul R. Brown Leadership Academy. He is currently interning for the Executive Office of the National League of Cities and plans to attend the Howard University School of Law and pursue a career in civil rights law and young adult ministry.
“I feel incredibly humbled to receive this award acknowledging the hard work I put into making my community a better place,” said Edgerton. “I thank Howard University for inspiring me to be a change agent and to always have a passion to serve. I will use this award to further my skills at Howard University School of Law and continue the legacy of Black excellence that Bison before me have started.”
Edgerton has dedicated his life to service and community action. An aspiring multi-vocational change agent, he believes that it is our duty as a nation to build up every child from every background. His other awards and appointments include being named a Global Scholar and elected student council representative for the Council on International Education Exchange during his time abroad in Spain, Italy and England.
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Quentin Byrd Selected as 2021 Howard
Scholar at McCourt
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The McCourt School is excited to announce Quentin Byrd as the first Howard Scholar at McCourt recipient. The Howard Scholar program, launched in February 2021, is a full-tuition scholarship for one Howard University student or alumnus to attend a McCourt School of Public Policy graduate degree program.
Graduating from Howard University in May with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, Byrd will join the McCourt School’s Master of Public Policy Evening Program (MPP-EP) in the Fall.
Passion for Policy
Byrd grew up in a suburb outside of Atlanta with a passion for politics and a desire to learn more about business and economics, which led him to pursue his undergraduate studies at Howard.
Studying in the nation’s capital, surrounded by passionate civic and business leaders, served as a launchpad for Byrd to pursue his interests in policy and finance. While at Howard, Byrd interned for Congressman Al Green, chair of the United States House Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. Byrd also gained experience interning within city government in both DC and his hometown, Fayetteville. These experiences further fueled Byrd’s passion for policy, especially at the local level.
“You can create such great impact at the local level,” Byrd explained. “You know the people in the community and you can see the direct results of your efforts.”
The McCourt School is thrilled to welcome Byrd this fall. Byrd is equally excited and looks forward to seeing more Howard Scholars at McCourt in the future.
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Application Due April 19: 2021-2022 Pilot Awards |
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Apply for the Watermark Scholarship by July 15! |
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Alumna Taylor Rainey Becomes Howard University’s First Foreign Affairs IT Fellow |
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Alumna Taylor Rainey (B.A. ’19) has been named Howard’s first Foreign Affairs IT (FAIT) Fellow. The FAIT Fellowship is funded by the United States Department of State and provides undergraduate and graduate students in IT-related fields with tuition assistance, as well as mentorship and professional development, to launch their careers in the Foreign Service as information management specialists.
Rainey, originally from Oxnard, California, earned a bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in Spanish from Howard University. She currently works as an associate analyst for Hillard Heintze, a Jensen Hughes company, and will be going on to pursue graduate studies in cybersecurity with the support of the FAIT Fellowship. Her research interests include online hate and extremism, diplomacy, data protection and service to the international community. While at Howard, Rainey participated in the Pre-Ph.D. Summer Enrichment Program (PPSEP), where she presented a paper on the preparation confidence of communities prone to hurricanes using a comparative analysis between Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Maria. Her international experience includes study abroad courses at the Université du Luxembourg Summer School and the IES Abroad Buenos Aires as well as an internship at the Westminster Palace under Parliament member Helen Grant in London. Rainey also served as a Foreign Affairs Fellow in the United States House of Representatives for Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee.
“I am humbled and honored to be Howard University’s first Foreign Affairs IT (FAIT) Fellow,” said Rainey. “I am grateful for Howard University’s support to join the Foreign Service, both as a student and post-graduation. I will continue to live ‘in truth and service’ as I continue my professional career.”
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Did You Take the Community Service Survey? |
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The Howard University Community Engagement Collaborative (HUCEC), which includes the Office of Corporate Relations, External Affairs, WHUT, WHUR, student affairs, chapel and Howard University Hospital, has created a survey to capture all HU volunteer activities and charitable donations received for the 2020-2021 academic year. Please watch this video message to learn more about this initiative.
We need HU students to complete the survey by Friday, April 23, 2021.
HU and HUH faculty and staff should complete the survey by Friday June 19, 2021.
Thank you for taking the time to complete this very important survey and assisting us with gathering this critical information.
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Communal Conversations: “HBCU Royalty”
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LGBTQ+ Cultural Competency Trainings for
Faculty and Staff
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Register for session one here.
Register for session two here. |
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Fourth Fridays Link and Learn Series |
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The Howard University Cancer Center’s monthly Link and Learn Educational Series for April will be held on Friday, April 23 at noon. “Your Primary Care Doctor: Your Partner in Health” will be presented by Oladunni Filani, M.D., Howard University Department of Community and Family Medicine. Join this presentation to learn more about the importance of having a relationship with a primary care doctor and a medical home. The presentation will also cover what health tests you should be getting based on your age and what steps you can take to improve your overall health. Register here! F or more information, contact Cherie Spencer at 202-865-5399 or c_spencer@howard.edu. |
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D.C. Clinical and Translational Science Institute
Spring Conference
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To get your events placed in the HU Happenings section, visit https://calendar.howard.edu, click “submit event” and fill in the necessary information. OUC will select events from this section to also be included in the weekly newsletter.
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If you want to submit content to HU! You Know!, email ouc@howard.edu with the subject line "HU! You Know! Submission.”
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Howard University
2400 Sixth Street NW
Washington, DC 20059
(202) 806-6100
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