In navigating the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Faculty, Staff and Students who need support are encouraged to make use of the resources provided by the School of Public Health.

For all students, please remember you have access to Student Counseling Services via UTHealth Houston Student Counseling. Students across all our campuses can access their services via Zoom® appointments.

For Faculty & Staff: Resources are available via UTEAP (UT Employee Assistance).

Students who have any questions regarding access to these resources are encouraged to reach out to Assistant Professor and Assistant Dean of Students Mary Ann Smith, PhD.

As an academic health science center, we strive to do no harm, and we work tirelessly to ensure our communities are healthy, safe, and supported. Read the sentiments of The University of Texas System Chancellor James B. Milliken regarding the Israel-Hamas war.

Associate Professor Suja Rajan, PhD, MS, MHA, was featured by her alma mater, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC). The Gillings School of Public Health at UNC featured Rajan in one of their alumni spotlights for her achievements as a health economist and as director for Health Services Research at UTHealth’s Stroke Institute.

Faculty Research Lab

The FRLPs were designed to transfer the creation, management, and maintenance of research webpages to faculty. Each page is assigned to the respective faculty member through the faculty information repository (same database that you manage your faculty profile), or to a faculty member's delegate, with VPN connection.



You can explore the features and related content pieces here to plan your page. Instructions on creating and managing your page can be found here.

If you need assistance with your lab page please send request here.

Faculty Highlights

Welcoming Faculty Associate Paul Gerardo Yeh, DrPH, MD, MPH

We extend a warm MPACH welcome to Paul Yeh, DrPH, Faculty Associate. We asked Dr. Yeh to introduce himself:

I received my BA in Evolutionary Biology and Political Science from Vanderbilt University, graduated from the MD/MPH dual degree program at the UTHealth San Antonio School of Medicine, and received my DrPH degree from UTHealth School of Public Health. 

I am driven as a preventive medicine-minded academician to synergistically integrate medicine and public health to promote health equity for marginalized, underserved populations. Currently, I am applying decision science modeling and health economic evaluation methods to assess the cost-effectiveness of clinic-based outreach programs aimed at improving cancer screening. I am also involved in projects on the economic evaluation of mental health interventions for the primary care setting and for breast cancer survivors. 

My other research interests encompass decision analytical modeling to guide clinical practice and shared decision-making, health behavior promotion, implementation science, social epidemiology, geospatial analysis, mental health outcomes and policy analysis. As a new Faculty Associate with the MPACH Department, I am excited to teach and mentor SPH students, and to collaborate with and learn from research with colleagues in the department on research projects that can sustainably transform our communities' health trajectories.

Please feel free to connect with me via email or to stop by my office in the RAS E-311 to chat!

Center for Health Care Data

Learn More about the conference and Register Today!

Over the last year, the CHCD has played a significant role in the Texas Health Equity Alliance for Breast Cancer (THEAL) by providing breast cancer screening rates to inform this initiative by the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center’s Cancer Prevention & Control Platform and Department of Health Disparities Research which is led in partnership with a multi-institutional backbone. The CHCD will continue to provide data to support the initiative. 

Read more about this cross-sector initiative: MD Anderson launches collaborative initiative to reduce breast cancer disparities in Houston area | MD Anderson Cancer Center 

Caroline Schaefer, PhD (c), MPH, Data Scientist for the Center for Health Care Data, will be presenting at the upcoming American Public Health Association (APHA) Conference.

Caroline's presentation is titled, "Risk of post-acute symptoms among adults: A comparison study of severe COVID-19, pneumonia, and influenza."

Read on for info on how to register for APHA's annual meeting and expo coming up in November!

The MPACH Student Board hosts Meet & Greet + Practicum Panel

On October 9th, leaders of the Board met with students and hosted an information session on their experiences navigating the practicum process.

Students are encouraged to be on the lookout for upcoming Board hosted events!

Fall 2023 course registration information 

For all registration dates and deadlines, review the Fall 2023 Enrollment Dates. 

The withdrawal deadline for courses during the fall semester is November 17, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. 

Students seeking disability accommodations for their academics should contact Mary Ann Smith, PhD, the designated Section 504 Coordinator at the UTHealth Houston School of Public Health.

Are You Interested in Joining a NACCHO Student Chapter? 

UTHealth Houston has one of the original National Association of County and City Health Departments (NACCHO) Student Chapters and is looking to revitalize this student group after a hiatus during the pandemic. Students have access to a vast array of resources, including internships and professional development opportunities, public health subject matter experts, and pertinent data to inform best practices for local public health. 

Please contact Dr. Troisi if you’re interested in joining the UTHealth Houston NACCHO student group. 

Graduate Archer Fellowship Program

The Archer Center was established in 2010 to bring students to our nation's capital to learn about the federal government and public service.

Graduate fellows will live and work in Washington, D.C., during the summer while pursuing relevant coursework and practical experience (i.e., an internship). Applications for the summer 2024 graduate fellowship program will open in early September 2023. Additional information is available here. 

Students from the School of Public Health can also contact Robert Hammarberg, DrPH, MPA, Faculty Associate, with further questions.

Announcements

Licensed professionals are equipped to help all students, faculty, staff, and trainees navigate work-related or personal life challenges.

They can also guide the community on how to navigate uneasy feelings from news events and uncertainty in their environment. 

Call 713-500-9888 to access the UTHealth Houston Mental Health and Well-being line to connect with caring and helpful mental health professionals.

Reminder: Registration open for Grants 101 and 102 programs

Are you interested in applying for grants but don’t know where to start? The New Investigator Development Program, led by the Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer, offers an introductory grant preparation program for junior faculty members and administrative support staff starting in January 2024. Junior faculty members who have previously attended Grants 101 may attend the follow-up program, Grants 102, which starts in February 2024. All sessions will be held at the UTHealth Cooley University Life Center, 7440 Cambridge Street, Houston, Texas 77054.

University & School Naming Standards

UTHealth Houston School of Public Health has released updated school naming standards. Please review to ensure accuracy and consistency in the use of our university name and references to the School of Public Health.



For questions, review, and approvals regarding branding and naming, please contact [email protected] or UTHealth Houston’s Office of Public Affairs at [email protected].

UTHealth Events

Walk to End Alzheimer's - Join the Fight

The Institute on Aging encourages Faculty and Staff from the School of Public Health to join their team: The Brain Boosters. Support the Brain Booster's by contributing to their campaign, and by joining them at the 2023 Walk to End Alzheimer’s on November 4th.

Register for the APHA 2023

Annual Meeting & Expo

The conference will be held in Atlanta from November 12-15th. This year's meeting theme, "Creating the Healthiest Nation: Overcoming Social and Ethical Challenges," promises a compelling and insightful exploration of the critical issues facing public health today. 

Register Here!

Thank you for contributing!

Faculty, Staff, and Students at all campuses are encouraged to share their news to be considered for the monthly IMPACT Newsletter. Please submit your items here.