Newsletter of The Public Health Museum

Outbreak!2022 Recap

....from Dr. Katherine Domoto, advisor

Outbreak! 2022 celebrated it's10th year! Once again the program was virtual and we had 45 students, two thirds from New England, and one third from across the US - including West Virginia, Wisconsin, Texas, New Jersey New York and South Dakota.

The program was held M/W/F during the last two weeks of July on Zoom. Our virtual format let more students from more places join us.

Many thanks to the volunteer public health professionals who provided up-to-date information about public health activities and introduced new topics such as climate change and refugee issues.

We had some very energetic and supportive Outbreak! alums who served as Peer Mentors, providing leadership and administrative support for the program.

Student evaluations of the program were very positive. Students submitted creative and interesting final projects in order to earn a completion certificate.

We are looking forward to Outbreak! 2023 and will be considering a hybrid format, combining virtual components with on-site visits to public health facilities. Stay tuned!

We'd like to acknowledge the retirement of our Director of Volunteer Services, Sandra Price. Sandra has volunteered for six years at the museum and helped us grow and reach so many audiences. Her professionalism, enthusiasm, and guidance has made our tours, student outreach, and newsletter successful beyond our wildest expectations. We thank you, Sandra, and wish you all the best!

THE MOSQUITO: A HUMAN HISTORY OF OUR DEADLIEST PREDATOR

Which animal has been responsible for the most human fatalities throughout history? Snakes? Sharks? Lions? Here's a hint: What was George Washington’s first request from the Continental Congress after being designated as the American Army’s Commander-in-Chief? It was for money to purchase quinine.

Paul Etkind reviews Timothy C. Winegard's book about the impact of this small but mighty nuisance on global history.

READ HERE

FALL CLEANING

The Collections Committee has been working hard on the basement storage space, cataloging and organizing items.

Please stop by on Saturday, September 24th from 11AM-3PM if you might be interested in any of the excess furniture, equipment, and accessories they have.

We are suggesting a $10 donation for items.

Please note- most items will require cleaning and restoration.

ANOTHER GREAT YEAR

The 10th year of Outbreak! wrapped up with forty students creating public service announcements on the public health topic of their choosing and earning a certificate of completion.

Presenter topics included:

The History of Public Health

Epidemiology and Careers

Climate Change and Global Health

Health Equity

Refugee Health

Local Health Departments

...and so many more!

Thanks to all who participated. Keep an eye out for Outbreak!2023 information in the spring.

REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

Register now for School Nursing in Massachusetts: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow! Join our panel of professionals from the Massachusetts School Nurse Organization and the School Health Services, Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The program participants are:

Dorothy M Keeney, MS, BS, RN

Boston School Nurse Historian

Margaret (“Meg”) Burch, MS, RN, NCSN

Western (Berkshire Franklin) Regional School Nurse Consultant

Marie DeSisto, MSN, RN

Senior Instructor

Cambridge College School of Education

Sharon Harrison, RN

School Nurse/Nurse Educator

Boston Public Schools

Avery Hines, BSN, RN, NCSN

Director of Health Services

Medford Public Schools

Carilyn A. Rains, MEd, BSN, RN

Director, School Health Services

Plymouth Public Schools

Mabel V. Meehan Andrews

RECENT ACQUISITION

The Public Health Museum recently acquired a nursing pin from the Peter Bent Brigham School of Nursing Alumni Association. The pin was first donated to the Association and by the family of Mabel V. Meehan Andrews, a member of the Class of 1948. Mabel had specifically requested that the pin be displayed permanently so that others could be reminded of the historical importance of nursing pins.

Florence Nightingale was the first person to stress the importance of formalized training for nurses, and pins were awarded to indicate completed training. Each nursing school's pin is uniquely symbolic and features distinct designs. Visit the Museum to learn more about this fascinating history.

The Museum would like to thank Deborah Amato, President of the Peter Bent Brigham School of Nursing Alumni Association, for facilitating the donation.

Would you support the museum?

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Public Health Museum