OHIO STATE PUBLIC THE MAGAZINE OF THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY HEALTH COLLEGE OF PUBLIC HEALTH FALL/WINTER 2017

FROM COLUMBUS Improving Reproductive TO KABUL & Sexual Health

TACKLING OHIO’S A BARBER-ACTIVIST CLASS OF ’74 STEPS OPIOID CRISIS CHANGES LIVES UP FOR STUDENTS Because of your generosity, I can make the most of my Ohio State education. Public health changed my life, and with my degree, I intend FALL/WINTER 2017 to help improve the health of our nation. DEPARTMENTS 2 DEAN’S MESSAGE —Caleb Ball, bachelor of science in public health fourth-year student College of Public Health General Scholarship recipient 3 COMMUNITY

5 DISCOVERY

Caleb always wanted to help others be 9 BREAKING GROUND healthy. His scholarship – made possible Give children their own health care program separate from Medicaid and by Buckeyes like you – allows him to intern ACA uncertainty. William Considine, MS ‘71 at a health policy institute and work hard 28 FUTURE SNOW toward his public health degree. Instead of BSPH Student Niru Muralidharan: 10 FROM COLUMBUS TO KABUL The small to big university transition. worrying about finances, Caleb can pursue Improving Reproductive and Sexual Health the experiences that will help him follow his Researchers William Miller, Marcel Yotebieng, Alison Norris and Maria 29 THE GRADUATE Gallo, part of growing group making a difference in Ohio and beyond. Aaron Fields, MHA ‘10, on the lifelong passion and change lives. value of alumni networks. FEATURES Thank you for helping Caleb and the next 24 CLASS OF ’74 STEPS generation of public health leaders earn their Ohio UP FOR STUDENTS State degrees. Please give now to the College of MHA Class of ’74 reaches endowed scholarship goal, doubling the impact Public Health General Scholarship Fund. and paying it forward.

26 THE CASE FOR COMPETITION College a national model for give.osu.edu/CPHscholarship student success with case 16 BARBER-ACTIVIST CHANGES LIVES 20 TACKLING OHIO’S OPIOID CRISIS competitions. Columbus barber Al Edmondson cuts Ohio State is part of the fight to turn 30 ALUMNI NEWS & NOTES hair and grows access to better health. the tide.

OHIO STATE PUBLIC HEALTH MAGAZINE Managing Editor Photography Gregory Zane, ‘18 Gary Snyder Will Shively Emily Bell Writers Steve Barrish Tasleem Padamsee, PhD Steve Barrish Rachel Bules Hannah Piscalko, ‘17 Rachel Bules Gary Snyder Darryl Hood, PhD Ohio State Public Health is published Gary Snyder Editorial Board Julie Robbins, MHA ’93, PhD ‘13 twice annually by the College of Public Proofreader Courtney Maierhofer, Niru Muralidharan, ‘18 Health’s Office of Communications. Renee Watts MPH ‘15 Steve Smith, MS ‘77 For information or to subscribe: Alison Norris, PhD [email protected]. Design Mikafui Dzotsi, ‘18 Lisa Klancher Heather Brelsford Jon Bullock COMMUNITY DEAN’S MESSAGE College Celebrates Graduates As Conrade Hinds said in his eloquent and inspiring During Pre-Commencement speech at our 2017 Pre-Commencement Celebration, The College of Public Health celebrated the academic journey and successes of its Ohio has long been a pioneer for creating groundbreaking graduating students during the college’s annual Pre-Commencement program in ideas that spur invention and also tackle seemingly May at the Fawcett Center. About 500 students and their families, faculty, staff, and intractable challenges. alumni gathered for the celebration. The Class of 2017 included 239 graduates who The same spirit of teamwork and innovation – which joined the ranks of the college’s 3,151 alumni. made Ohio the birthplace of aviation and helped virtually Featured speaker, author and historian Conrade C. Hinds, spoke on “Ohio’s Spirit eliminate the scourge of typhoid fever and cholera – is of Invention: The Key to Conquering Our Tough Public Health Challenges.” Hinds required again if we are to solve the toughest public Author-historian Conrade Hinds: “You’re the shared how the same pioneering ideas and work in Ohio that helped end typhoid health burdens of our day. real-world heroes.” fever and cholera here and around the world is needed now to solve our greatest In this issue of Ohio State Public Health, you will learn public health challenges, from opioid addiction to water and air pollution. more about how The Ohio State University and our Hinds’ book, “The Great Columbus Experiment of 1908: Waterworks that Changed College of Public Health are working to find answers the World,” tells the story of how Columbus and Ohio brought the best minds to one of our state’s greatest challenges: the opioid together to develop a state-of-the-art water and wastewater treatment system to crisis. We are all in this together, and we must find eradicate a typhoid and cholera epidemic. The “moon shot” of its day worked, solutions together. revolutionized water treatment systems worldwide, and saved millions of lives. Beginning with this issue, we also bring you expanded A few of the 239 Class of 2017 graduates. content and a new design to more fully share the stories of the college’s work, partnerships and impact. Clearly, our faculty, students and 3,151 alumni continue to make a great difference, improving the livelihoods and well-being Raising Friendships, Demand for College’s BSPH “We wanted graduates to be qualified of people in Ohio and beyond. Degree Continues to Rise for early career, entry-level positions Fighting Homelessness in public health agencies and other in Columbus Both the Institute of Medicine and the organizations,” says Kaye. “But another Association of Schools of Public Health primary desired outcome was to build have chronicled and forecast the a strong foundation that served as a looming shortage of highly educated pipeline for them to advanced study via and trained public health professionals, graduate and professional warning that tens of thousands more degree programs.” William J. Martin II, MD public health workers are needed Fast forward to the present, and the by 2020. BSPH program has become a resounding In order to help address this workforce success on all levels. Along with student academic quality rising, the number of PhD students Katie Swidarski (health shortage, the College of Public Health behavior and health promotion), Robert developed and launched the BSPH BSPH students has risen nearly 300 Orellana (epidemiology),and Joyce Rudy degree program several years ago. percent from 2012-2016, from 59 to 231 (epidemiology) were among the more than The goal, according to Gail Kaye, PhD, students. When combining all BSPH 100 CPH students, alumni, faculty, staff majors and pre-majors plus students and friends who showed up in full force in RD, CPH director of undergraduate August to make new friends, kick off the programs, was to build a core public pursuing a global public health or semester, play some trivia and put a dent health curriculum with interdisciplinary epidemiology minor in the college, in homelessness by raising money for the specializations in public health the number rises to 552 students, Columbus Coalition for the Homeless. representing an increase of 141 percent. The Coalition publishes the monthly Street sociology and in environmental Speech publication, sold by homeless public health, and to give graduates or formerly homeless men and women several options. in Columbus. Learn more at: columbushomeless.org

2 OHIO STATE PUBLIC HEALTH FALL/WINTER 2017 3 COMMUNITY DISCOVERY Team Science = Research Success Ohio State Public Health sat down with Christopher Weghorst, PhD, associate dean for research, to talk about research at the college and the role his office plays to advance discoveries.

You’ve experienced success as a development; data collection and collaborations/mentoring; cancer researcher in the college and faculty development. Student’s harmful algae and at OSU’s Comprehensive The office also actively underwrites faculty access to grant blooms and cancer research Cancer Center - James Cancer writing workshops and outside consultants, provides funds honored with Science Hospital and Solove Research for seed grant and collaborative postdoc programs; Communication Award supports faculty development seminars; as well as provides Institute. Can you speak to the consultation and training related to laboratory safety and Igor Mrdjen, a PhD student in the team approach to research research compliance issues. Top: Pallavi Oruganti in Los Robles, Jinotega, Nicaragua during her MPH culminating project. College of Public Health’s Division of and how collaboration helps Oruganti with other OSU students, Comunidad Connect and Los Robles leaders. Environmental Health Sciences, received researchers be successful? What are some of the strengths of the college’s the Science Communication Award at the International Association for Great First, thank you for recognizing my successes here at research . . . and how might emerging public health MPH student spends rewarding Lakes Research’s 60th Annual Great OSU. However, the truth of the matter is that much of my needs dictate that work? success as a cancer researcher has come as the result of Lakes Research Conference, held in The college’s research portfolio is quite strong and diverse. collaboration with others. Some of the most exciting and summer conducting research Detroit in May. CPH researchers are currently leading research and productive research efforts happening today are the result innovation efforts in a variety of impactful areas of Mrdjen’s research, titled “Evaluation of of large interdisciplinary teams of scientists focused on in Nicaragua public health, including tobacco control and prevention; Cyanobacteria and Their Toxins in a Two- leveraging their expertise and perspectives from a wide reproductive and sexual health; health care access, costs, It was an unforgettable summer for Nicaragua and the community,” staged Model of Hepatocarcinogenesis,” array of disciplines and technologies on a particular and policy; childhood obesity; cancer prevention; global College of Public Health student Pallavi Oruganti says. “We are also showed that chronic ingestion of the research problem. Oruganti, who conducted fieldwork and incredibly indebted to the Brigadistas toxins may promote the development of health; health disparities; and water and air quality, to name collected data in Los Robles, Jinotega, of Los Robles for sacrificing their time liver tumors in mice previously exposed A perfect example of such collaborative team science is the a few. Center of Excellence in Regulatory Tobacco Science which is Nicaragua for her Master of Public to assist us with identifying households, to a chemical carcinogen. The study was In addition, several new areas of research interest are located within our college. Health (MPH) culminating project. sharing their public health knowledge co-authored by CPH faculty members emerging that focus on local and national public health and becoming our friends along Jiyoung Lee, PhD; Thomas Knobloch, Oruganti was part of an interdisciplin- crises, such as the opioid epidemic and high infant mortality. the way.” PhD; and Christopher Weghorst, PhD. ary research team made up of Ohio How does that same spirit of teamwork help the State students from public health, The research focused on the toxins college’s Office of Research? You’ve been involved with some important anthropology and veterinary medicine. that can be created during harmful We also use a similar “interdisciplinary” approach within research over the years related to the effect black Her project focused on infant and child Guo Named New algae blooms in which cyanobacteria, the Office of Research to accomplish our goals. The college gut microbiomes. Oruganti observed microscopic organisms found in most raspberries may have on cancer. What’s the latest Koch Fellow in has an outstanding team of highly trained, capable and with that work? how interactions with soil, water, lakes and rivers, grow rapidly and affect dedicated individuals who are passionate about seeing animals and other items in the house- Biostatistics the cleanliness of the water. our researchers and students succeed in making great My research team and I are currently working as part of hold impact microbiome makeup, and Xiaohan Guo, a discoveries and positively impacting public health. an interdisciplinary team with other researchers from the ultimately the risk of diarrheal disease. PhD student in the OSU Colleges of Medicine, Dentistry, and Food, Agriculture Ghefe studies public health I am very proud to be working with Emily Modak, (Director of college, is the latest and Environmental Sciences on a clinical trial-based project “We worked in the community with recipient of the Research Administrative Services), Scot Erbe (Senior Grants and culture in Japan that was recently funded by the National Cancer Institute. several households, collecting biological Dr. Gary G. Koch and Contracts Specialist) and Mischa Hitchcock (Grants and Hanna Ghefe, public health-sociology un- The project is an extension of my group’s initial finding that samples from children, animals, & Mrs. Carolyn J. Contracts Specialist). Each of them bring a unique and valu- dergraduate student, spent part of her dietary administration of black raspberries dramatically soil and water,” explains Oruganti, Koch Fellowship in able set of skills to the office that together result in the high the Interdisciplinary summer in Japan, examining its history, reduced the number of oral tumors in a hamster model who is earning her MPH with a level of support provided to our researchers and students. concentration in veterinary public PhD Program in culture and public health practices. of oral carcinogenesis. The current translational project Biostatistics. health. “Additionally, we observed “I was able to explore the diversity of explores the critical bi-directional interaction that exists How does the Office of Research support faculty between oral bacteria and phytochemical-rich black children and babies and conducted Guo grew up in Jinan, China, and received Japan, its history as an industrial country, interviews with several moms in the his BA in statistics in 2017 from Beijing and the health issues caused by different and students? raspberry food products within the oral cavity of smokers and non-smokers. community to understand cultural Normal University. He finds the theory environmental factors,” says Ghefe. “I As associate dean for research, in addition to maintaining and application of biostatistics appealing, perspectives on raising children and learned about their disaster prevention the office’s outstanding record of traditional pre- and post- Studies suggest that the polyphenols found in black and is excited to make a difference in the animals in Los Robles.” strategies at the Honjo Prevention Cen- raspberries may have an impact on the types of bacteria world. “I believe that in this field, I may award activities, my desire has always been to expand the “We partnered with the Comunidad have a chance to make some contribution ter, and went to the Adachi incineration role of the office to include services that foster not only the found in the mouth, or prevent damage from cancer-causing Connect public health organization, to the health of human beings,” Guo says. plant to see how Japan gets rid of their quality and quantity of research, but also assist faculty at chemicals in cigarette smoke. This may ultimately result in which allowed us to gain our footing in “It is really meaningful.” waste since they don’t have much space all levels in their pursuit of independent and sustained the attenuation of inflammation within the mouth and for landfills.” research programs. For example, we have developed a subsequent reduction of oral disease progression. series of new initiatives aimed at promoting proposal 4 OHIO STATE PUBLIC HEALTH FALL/WINTER 2017 5 DISCOVERY

Ventilated Cigarettes Likely Contribute Center Helps Guide Ohio Gallo’s Work on to a Form of Lung Cancer Public Health Agencies Toward Accreditation Objective Measures Min-Ae Song, PhD, postdoctoral fellow in the CPH Center of Excellence in The college has received several for Sexual Exposure Regulatory Tobacco Science, and Micah Berman, JD, associate professor grants from the Association of State of health services management and policy, were among the co-authors and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) Rewarded With Bill and from state health departments to on research which shows that ventilated or so-called “light” cigarettes develop programs that will educate and & Melinda Gates have no health benefits to smokers and have likely contributed to the support governmental public health rise of a certain form of lung cancer that occurs deep in the lungs. agencies and help them achieve public Foundation Grand health accreditation. Challenges Grant Song and Berman were among several co-authors from The Ohio State According to Andy Wapner, DO, MPH ’12, University Comprehensive Cancer Center — Arthur G. James Cancer clinical assistant professor at the College Maria Gallo, PhD, associate Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, and five other U.S. and of Public Health and director at the Center for Public Health Practice, Ohio professor of epidemiology, international cancer centers. The findings were published in the Journal is one of the most active states in of the National Cancer Institute. the country regarding public health received a $100,000 Bill & accreditation, with more than a dozen local health departments and the Melinda Gates Foundation Grand state’s health department reaching Challenges Explorations Award accreditation recently. this summer. The funding will support Gallo’s research to “adapt a validated computer-based psychological test known as the Implicit Association Test to measure the implicit opinions of Links Found Between women in Vietnam on hormonal contraceptives in order to Preschooler Routines, Maria Gallo with collaborator and physician researcher Nghia encourage use.” Nguyen, MD, PhD. Nguyen will lead the data collection among Emotions and Obesity contraception users and non-users in Hanoi, Vietnam. Family structure including regular bedtimes, mealtimes and limited screen time appear to be linked to better emotional Researcher Explores Vending Policy, Food Options and Student Choices health in preschoolers, and that might lower the chances of obesity later, a new study suggests. For several years, Gail Kaye, PhD, RD, Another examined the effects of Ohio availability of less healthy, energy-dense associate professor of health State’s new policy changes which snack options and make healthier, “This study provides more evidence that routines for behavior and health promotion, improved the nutrient quality of vending nutrient-dense snack options more preschool-aged children are associated with their healthy has been leading research efforts products campus-wide. In that study, available to the public.” development and could reduce the likelihood that these examining campus-based snack food Kaye and her team found that after the children will be obese,” says lead author Sarah Anderson, choices and consumption, and the policy took effect, calories consumed, fat Kaye’s campus vending food options PhD, College of Public Health associate professor effects of policies on vending purchases. and sugar intake all decreased. and consumer behavior research of epidemiology. receives $34,000 in funding per year, One research study showed that According to Kaye, who also serves as with a 10-year commitment. The work The study – the first to look at the connections between students selected less healthier options director of undergraduate programs at also provides research experience early childhood routines and self-regulation and their from vending machines even when the college, “vending machine policy can for Ohio State undergraduate and potential association with weight problems in the pre-teen healthier products were increased. be used as a mechanism to reduce the graduate students. years – appeared in the International Journal of Obesity.

6 OHIO STATE PUBLIC HEALTH FALL/WINTER 2017 7 DISCOVERY

Three-year Study Begins Examining Years Before Brain Cancer BREAKING GROUND Dramatic Rise of Syphilis By William Considine, MS ’71

With syphilis rates rising across the Diagnosis, Changes Detectable With nearly half of all U.S. country, the Centers for Disease Control in Blood and Immune System and Prevention (CDC) has awarded a children on Medicaid, we need $1.589 million grant to Ohio State faculty Changes in immune activity appear to signal a growing to move beyond the funding members William Miller, MD, MPH, chair brain tumor five years before symptoms arise, new research of the College of Public Health’s Division has found. uncertainty. Parents who of Epidemiology, and Abigail Norris heroically care for children Turner, PhD, associate professor in the Interactions among proteins that relay information with cancer, diabetes, cerebral from one immune cell to another are weakened Division of Infectious Diseases in the palsy, and other chronic College of Medicine and CPH associate in the blood of brain cancer patients within five professor of epidemiology, to help years before the cancer is diagnosed, says lead illnesses should not have to examine the reasons for the increase. researcher Judith Schwartzbaum, PhD, worry about the political whims associate professor of epidemiology at the The goal of the research is to identify college and a member of Ohio State’s of lawmakers casting votes behaviors and other characteristics which Comprehensive Cancer Center. The research based on campaign promises may increase syphilis risk, specifically was supported by the National Cancer Institute, and re-election strategies. by examining the social and sexual and appeared in the journal PLOS ONE. networks of men who have sex with men in Columbus. As Congressional leaders spent much of the year debating deliberate and specific decisions related to society’s various options for repealing and replacing the Affordable commitment to children’s health care. Care Act, we’ve heard about premiums and deductibles, CBO scores, the federal deficit, tax cuts, funding caps, the fate Ohio, with its strong network of children’s hospitals, would Students Excel at Denman Undergraduate Research Forum of the individual mandate, and pre-existing conditions. But be a great place to pilot this concept. The Ohio children’s one word that has barely been mentioned in the health care hospitals have been working together for years on quality Several undergraduate students from the college presented discussion is this one: Children. improvement programs that have saved millions of dollars; their thesis research during the Denman Undergraduate and our primary care offices, child safety programs and Research Forum held at Ohio State, with two students The number one insurer for pediatric health care in this advocacy efforts are keeping kids healthy and out of receiving awards for their research. country is Medicaid, which was established with a focus on the hospital. children in 1965. Since then, Medicaid has been expanded Allison Porter, BSPH ’17, took first place and Montgomry to cover nursing homes, and low-income or disabled adults But no parent plans for a premature delivery, a chronic Burgoon took second place in the Public Health and Applied not yet qualified for Medicare. This has resulted in children illness or a traumatic injury, so a safety net program will Health Sciences category. being crowded out of Medicaid. Currently, 45 percent of all always be needed. It should be viewed not as welfare but an investment. Porter’s research focused on food insecurity in central Ohio. Medicaid recipients are children yet they account for just 19 percent of total Medicaid expenditures. She studied primary caregivers of children in Franklin County A 2015 Yale study quantified the positive return on to find how they coped with food insecurity, and to learn what In our state of Ohio we have 2.4 million children and 1.3 investment seen for children covered by Medicaid. The study factors shape the decisions and lifestyles of those who do not million depend on Medicaid for their health care but only concluded, “People who had been eligible for Medicaid as have the means to feed themselves or their dependents. represent nearly 20 percent of the Medicaid budget. children, as a group, earned higher wages and paid higher federal taxes than their peers who were not eligible for the With nearly half of all U.S. children on Medicaid, we need federal state health insurance program.” to move beyond the funding uncertainty. Parents who Allison Porter, BSPH ’17, with her award-winning research on food insecurity. heroically care for children with cancer, diabetes, cerebral I have watched the health care debate for 40 years, and the Porter now works as a child nutrition assistant supervisor with the Canton partisan divide shows no sign of improving. Our children and City School District. palsy, and other chronic illnesses should not have to worry about the political whims of lawmakers casting votes based families deserve better. on campaign promises and re-election strategies. Children don’t vote. They are not Republican or Democrat. It’s time to spin children off of Medicaid and the Children’s They don’t have a lobby. We must speak up for them. Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and give them their own Decisions being made now will impact a generation of health care program. As I envision it, such a program would children, and we cannot afford to shortchange their futures cover 40 million children and could be budget neutral. or the future of our country. Individual states would be incentivized to structurally William H. Considine has been president and CEO of Akron Children’s separate Medicaid funding for kids from the remainder of Hospital since 1979. He is a 1971 graduate of the Master of Science in Medicaid funding, thus allowing elected officials to make Health Administration program at Ohio State. 8 OHIO STATE PUBLIC HEALTH FALL/WINTER 2017 9 FROM

With children in traditional Afghan dress at COLUMBUS FMIC’s 10th Anniversary celebration. TO children’s hospital, began in June 2004,” KABUL: Hilling says. “I was asked by His Highness the Aga Khan to go to Kabul, on behalf of Working to improve reproductive the AKDN, and assess an opportunity to and sexual health enter into a partnership with the French development organization, La Chaîne BY GARY SNYDER de l’Espoir. La Chaîne was building a hospital in Kabul and they realized they needed a long-term partner. Based on Assessing how to build a hospital for mothers Hilling with village health workers in Bamyan District, Afghanistan my assessment and recommendation, and children in Kabul, Afghanistan. His Highness decided to pursue the partnership. DARING GREATLY recounts Hilling, MS ‘74. “They provided Deciphering why syphilis rates in IN AFGHANISTAN our security, but we were accountable “I participated in negotiations of an to the U.S. Agency for International MOU for a public-private partnership, the U.S. have skyrocketed. “The credit belongs to the man who is Development. I saw the desperate comprised of two private parties – the actually in the arena, whose face is marred state of civilians, especially women and AKDN and La Chaîne and two public by dust and sweat and blood; who strives children, during times of war. I met partners – the Governments of Creating an accurate measure of contraceptive valiantly; who errs, who comes short again many people who had worked in similar Afghanistan and France, with the AKDN use among Vietnamese women. and again … who at the best knows in the situations all around the world. I decided managing the institution on behalf of end the triumph of high achievement, and I wanted to do that too, but I had to wait all the partners. I led implementation of who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails many years – until I finished my career the FMIC, and have served as chairman Different parts of the world, same shared purpose: while daring greatly, so that his place shall with the Navy and had a brief health of its board ever since,” says Hilling. understand the needs and barriers, and find an- never be with those cold and timid souls administration career in the U.S. – swers that lead to better reproductive and sexual who neither know victory nor defeat.” before I finally had the opportunity.” In 2016, an additional 66 beds were health for individuals and populations. “Citizenship in a Republic” opened at the FMIC, including 52 beds That opportunity arrived in 1992 when President Theodore Roosevelt, 1910 for high-risk maternity care and 14 Hilling joined the Aga Khan Development neonatal intensive care beds.

Photo: Will Shively Lee Hilling has never kept company with Network (AKDN), moving with his wife to “cold and timid souls.” Karachi, Pakistan, where he was CEO of “When asked to go to Afghanistan, I the Aga Khan University Hospital for six jumped on it,” says Hilling, author of Ohio State faculty members Maria Gallo, Alison Norris, William Miller During the Vietnam War, he helped lead years. The AKDN then tapped Hilling’s the book, “A Place of Miracles,” which and Marcel Yotebieng a team of Navy doctors and corpsmen combination of health administration shares the story of the FMIC’s important caring for a civilian population in the leadership and compassion to elevate work. “The horrendous civil war was Mekong Delta on the Cambodian border. health systems and care in Pakistan, raging there when we lived next door Tough duty, but one that planted the India, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, in Pakistan. We visited an International seed for his decades-long drive to im- Tajikistan and now, in Afghanistan. Commission of the Red Cross (ICRC) prove lives in some of the most challeng- hospital on the Afghan border and my ing places on the planet. “My work in Afghanistan, with what hospital treated Afghan refugees and eventually became the French trained Afghan nurses who worked at “Although we were a Navy team, we lived Lee Hilling, MS ’74, with Dr. Jalil, and Medical Institute for Mothers and the ICRC hospital. I had great respect father of conjoined twin, after surgery with a U.S. Army Special Forces unit,” Children (FMIC), initially an 85-bed at the French Medical Institute for Mothers and Children (FMIC) in 10 OHIO STATE PUBLIC HEALTH Kabul, Afghanistan. FALL/WINTER 2017 11 and empathy for them. I have now been ministration program,” says Hilling. FORGING TOOLS TO BOOST to Afghanistan about 70 times, and my “I was 33 years old, married and had four FAMILY PLANNING respect for and friendship with Afghans kids. I had a lot of work experience and has only strengthened by working closely had served in Vietnam. Despite all that, Malawi and the United States mirror with them for the past 13 years.” everyone welcomed me. They prepared each other in some important ways. me for a successful career in the “Our group studies why women and cou- Hilling says Ohio State provided the dynamic U.S. health care environment. ples who don’t want to have a baby foundation for him to be successful in I chose to work in the international sometimes don’t use family planning highly unstable environments. setting, ultimately in some of the most methods,” says Alison Norris, MD, PhD, troubled areas of the world. My Ohio “I was not a traditional student assistant professor of epidemiology. State education and experience enabled when I entered Ohio State’s health ad- “When couples don’t use family plan- me to do that and for that, I will be Hilling at FMIC’s first post-graduate medical ning, women are much more likely to forever grateful.” 2 education graduation ceremony in 2016. have an unplanned pregnancy. About 40 percent of all pregnancies in Malawi, where we’re doing our study, are un- planned. In the United States, the same BRIDGES TO BETTER Ricks’ formative research is particularly African-American men and what proportion – 40 percent of all pregnan- SEXUAL HEALTH germane to studies examining HIV/STI interventions may help,” says Ricks. cies — are unplanned. Unplanned preg- prevention and treatment, such as her “We’re looking at the roles sexual debut, nancy is an issue that is experienced Spend a few minutes with JaNelle Ricks, work in an NIH-funded study exploring financial imbalance in a relationship everywhere in the world.” DrPH, MPA, and you quickly see what the high HIV rates found among minority and internalized homophobia play, and makes her effective. A calm demeanor, men who have sex with men (MSM) in how disclosure of STI and HIV status to A Grand Challenges Explorations bright smile, and compassionate focus Jackson, Mississippi. Jackson has the a partner may be affected because of award from the Bill & Melinda Gates Community members of Wachi village meet with Norris. help her build trust within communities nation’s highest rate — 40 percent — of stigma, particularly in the Deep South.” Foundation is helping Norris develop struggling to overcome the complex MSM living with HIV. new tools to improve family planning, infections (STIs) and improving family planning, pregnancy, and barriers to better health. Ricks is also part of a team working on whether in Malawi or Ohio. reproductive outcomes for women childbirth, as well as HIV and STI testing “My current research addresses sexual a new $1.589 million grant from the and men. and treatment. An assistant professor of health and reproductive health issues among CDC to examine the reasons for the “The funding from the Gates Foundation behavior and health promotion, Ricks’ adolescent and young adult, racial and skyrocketing syphilis rates in Columbus can help us understand the barriers to “I want to understand how context, “With the funding from the Bill & expertise plays an indispensable role in ethnic and sexual minority populations,” and across the country. Joining Ricks in family planning use. We will use our such as endemic disease, social norms, Melinda Gates Foundation and multiple sexual health studies, particularly says Ricks. “I look at the intersection of the study are faculty members William results to design a tool for clinicians and demographic factors, and cultural and Ohio State grants, we have carried out in helping recruit hard-to-reach individual, social and environmental Miller, MD, MPH, chair of the College of community health workers to guide institutional structures, influences three waves of a longitudinal study in populations in order to better under- determinants of health, with particular Public Health’s Division of Epidemiology, women and couples with the goal of health and disease,” Norris says. a cluster-randomized sample of more stand and define a problem, design a emphasis on health disparities. Abigail Norris Turner, PhD, associate preventing unplanned pregnancies,” “Methodologically, I focus on using than 1,000 reproductive aged women comprehensive study, and come up professor in the Division of Infectious explains Norris. “You might be surprised innovative methods to obtain high and their partners,” says Norris, who is with solutions. “The Jackson study is part of a larger Diseases in the College of Medicine at the similarities between Malawi and quality data about sensitive and also an assistant professor in the College NIH study examining young and CPH associate professor of the US in terms of barriers to using stigmatized topics.” of Medicine. “We are assessing barriers epidemiology, and Julia Applegate, family planning. What we learn in Malawi and facilitators to contraceptive use An ideal platform for MPH ’17, health program director at will be useful to improving care and among UTHA cohort participants. This complex research the Equitas Health Institute for LGBTQ health outcomes for underserved research partnership and community Health Equity, based in Columbus. cohort serve as an ideal platform for communities here. When pregnancies Not long after arriving at Ohio State are planned, women and the infants investigating complex sexual and Ricks is working with Equitas Health in 2012, Norris launched a research tend to be healthier than when reproductive health research questions.” and Columbus Public Health on program in Malawi called Umoyo wa pregnancies are unplanned. community engagement and in Thanzi (UTHA), which means “Health for The UTHA study site is based at the Life” in the Chichewa language. developing approaches to recruit a “For example, we know that very close McGuire Wellness Centre, a health diverse cohort of men to participate in facility founded by Child Legacy birth spacing is an important risk for The Umoyo wa Thanzi team has been the study. International. Located in the district of pre-term birth, which is a leading cause working on community and clinic-based of infant mortality in Ohio. This Gates Lilongwe in central Malawi, the clinic “Our collaboration with Columbus projects in collaboration with the Foundation grant is an investment in serves a catchment area of 68 villages Public Health and Equitas Health on this non-governmental organization, Child our ability to provide better services, (~20,000 people) and provides clinical project is essential, and will help build a Legacy International (CLI), in Malawi. leading to better health, for women exam rooms, laboratory space, and sustainable research partnership,” The CLI organization provides direct and families in Malawi and around the accommodations for researchers. Miller says. 2 community access for researchers and world, including right here at home,” continuity through their daily operations The structure of the UTHA has says Norris. in the areas around Malawi. become a model for the development Researcher JaNelle Ricks leads engagement of sustainable partnerships between with community partners, such as Equitas Norris’ research examines sexual and The UTHA partnership aims to Health in Columbus, to recruit men to universities and non-governmental reproductive health with a goal of understand how women’s and men’s participate in sexual health studies. organizations. preventing sexually transmitted decision-making impacts fertility, 12 OHIO STATE PUBLIC HEALTH FALL/WINTER 2017 13 In the future, the ongoing partnership CONCEIVING MEASURES TO inequalities and you were able to see between Ohio State, CLI, and the IMPROVE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH what was happening on the ground.” University of Malawi College of Medicine By the time the speaker finished talking After taking her first graduate school will be focusing on designing culturally to her fourth-grade class, the career course in epidemiology, she found the acceptable interventions, based on wheels were already churning. perfect fit. research, to improve the health of people in Malawi. “A Peace Corps volunteer spoke to us “I just love epi,” says Gallo. “You use about her experiences in Bolivia, helping concrete quantitative skills and also can “I love my research team,” says Norris. people sell plants and coffee as part of a work with people and on issues on the “The Malawians on the team are cre- micro-business,” says Maria Gallo, PhD, ground. In public health, we think based ative, thoughtful, hardworking and com- associate professor of epidemiology. on making the system better, and epi is mitted. We have a great time designing essential to population health.” Health educator in Vietnam counsels a couple on research studies and implementing “I decided that day I was joining the contraceptive options. them together.” 2 Peace Corps.” For the past 16 years, Gallo has conducted research, primarily in low- psychological test known as the Norris with UTHA research team members in Gallo made good on that grade school resource settings, with the “overarching Implicit Association Test to measure the Malawi village. pledge, serving in the Peace Corps in goal to influence public health, clinical implicit opinions of women in Vietnam Nicaragua from 1995-1997. It was also practice, and individual behavior in on hormonal contraceptives in order to then in a small village in Nicaragua order to improve women and men’s encourage use.” where Gallo witnessed that people fell ill reproductive health.” the 35 health districts of the province CREATING MODEL HIV CARE uptake of critical prevention services,” with a “mysterious hemorrhagic fever.” Much of Gallo’s work has been centered IN THE CONGO of Kinshasa, DR Congo, with plans to he says. “With this registry, we learned Until a team from the CDC arrived and Her research, which includes an NIH on developing semen biomarkers as enroll 3,000 HIV-infected pregnant that the most pressing issue was a identified the outbreak of leptospirosis, RO1-funded trial in Thanh Hoa, Vietnam, “Some of the challenges that I see in objective measures for sexual exposure. and breastfeeding women and their high rate of ‘loss to follow-up’ patients. the cause was unknown. and a study in Kingston, Jamaica to the Congo remind me of my youth These biomarkers revealed to Gallo and HIV-exposed infants and follow them In consultation with the ministry we “debunk myths about contraceptive growing up in rural Cameroon,” says her team that women might not be able for multiple years. developed numerous interventions to Gallo says that “seeing a field safety among women,” focuses on Marcel Yotebieng, MD, PhD, MPH, to give good accounts of their exposure address this problem including a investigation unfold in real life understanding, measuring, and assistant professor of epidemiology. Since 2004, with funding from the NIH, to unprotected sex. She and her team financial incentive intervention. was powerful.” preventing risky sexual behavior and the President’s Emergency Plan for were not surprised by these findings related outcomes, such as HIV and “The limited or difficult access to basic AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), WHO, CDC, and “The registry is now being used by The public health “bug” implanted, and Gallo says that, “it is critical that we other sexually transmitted infections, commodities, water, electricity, or the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Ministry of Health throughout Gallo would go on to work in improve our research on sensitive topics unexpected pregnancies, and unsafe sanitation,” Yotebieng says. “The same Yotebieng and his research team in the the nation to monitor PMTCT Bardstown, Kentucky, educating migrant by developing ways of measuring that abortions. challenges accessing health care and Democratic Republic of Congo have implementation and to gain an farmworkers about health services, don’t rely on self-reports.” outcomes. You see children dying at worked with the Ministry of Health and understanding of the long-term helping communities organize, and Gallo’s work in Vietnam received a boost home from preventable diseases like With the Gates award, Gallo begins a other organizations to develop and programmatic and clinical outcomes interpreting in clinics. this summer when she received a Bill malaria because families cannot afford new project that will build off of her test best models for scaling HIV care. among mothers and infants receiving & Melinda Gates Foundation Grand to take them to the health care center “That was like the Peace Corps, but in previous research, extending a validated HIV care in maternal and child health Challenges Explorations Award. The or they take them there when it’s “Working with a team of over 80 the US,” says Gallo. “I was attracted to computer-based psychological test— clinics in Kinshasa.” 2 funding supports her research to too late. Congolese collaborators, we public health because it dealt with the Implicit Association Test (IAT)—to “adapt a validated computer-based successfully engaged key community collect implicit measures of beliefs about “Even when they get there, the organizations which together control contraceptive safety and naturalness.” life-saving medication might not most of the health care infrastructures The IAT is available online and is used to be available.” in the country — to directly provide measure racial prejudices. quality HIV prevention, care, and Yotebieng’s commitment to finding treatment in almost 200 health clinics,” According to Gallo, the IAT is used in answers and improving health in Yotebieng says. “We have identified social psychology as an implicit low-resource regions has been the key barriers to access and use of measure of the association between propelling force behind his work health services in DRC, proposed and two constructs and has proved useful with collaborators to develop strong evaluated solutions, and worked with in research concerning attitudes, research infrastructures in the the Ministry of Health to implement self-esteem, and stereotypes. It is helpful Democratic Republic of Congo and at scale for the benefit of the when people may be hesitant or unable in other central Africa countries. national community. One example to report their true feelings. of this win-win partnership is in the His work has informed national Using the IAT to objectively measure work to prevent mother-to-child and international guidelines on Marcel Yotebieng with a family during home women’s beliefs could “improve both tuberculosis management and transmission (PMTCT). visit in Maluka, DRC. Ashley Ray, BSPH ’16, MPH ’17, also worked with Yotebieng as a clinical care to women and the quality treatment of HIV in children. He is “We also designed a mother-infant student to conduct a longitudinal analysis of of research methodology in the field of currently leading a large cluster trial registry to collect real-time data on data which examined optimal feeding practic- contraception,” says Gallo. 2 involving 104 health facilities from es for HIV-positive mothers in the DRC. Maria Gallo with health care team at Hanoi hospital.

14 OHIO STATE PUBLIC HEALTH FALL/WINTER 2017 15 SHEAR ADVOCATE

The indomitable Al Edmondson clips hair, grows hope for all

By Gary Snyder

A botched home haircut. Taunts from schoolmates. The future looked bleak.

The young Jonathan Robinson had enough. He needed a problem solver. Pronto.

Better call Al. Jonathan Robinson and Al Edmondson.

Photo: Gary Snyder

“When I was in elementary school, my Robinson, a 2017 BSPH Ohio State busy in the early days of his barbershop bringing their information in here to In 2010, with the health screenings “I reached out to my friends, the banks, dad would cut my hair. I used to get mad graduate. One that goes well beyond building the business and providing help men learn a little more about off and rolling in eight different shops and then to the YMCA because I want at him because he would always nick shears and styles. expert haircuts. diabetes and the health risks for within the neighborhood, Edmondson people to come out and talk about the me and mess up. The final straw was African-American males. I connected decided it was time to launch a non- importance of having family values,” he one time he was cutting my hair pretty Like he has to many in the Columbus But the death of one of his customers with Ohio State’s College of Nursing and profit effort aimed at tackling greater adds. “I brought Jonathan’s father, J. low and he put a big hole in my hair. I Near East Side community, Edmondson 15 years ago spurred him to go beyond with Chi Eta Phi, an African-American needs in his community. Making a Tracy Robinson, on board to help lead had a huge bald spot and everyone was became more than a barber to Robin- barbering. program for nurses, and they started Difference Inc. was born. the fatherhood program. We’re also making fun of me at school. son. The Gulf War veteran became a doing health screenings in the shop. trying to provide healthy food options “I had a client who passed away who was mentor, sounding board, and example “Making a Difference started with a back- in the corner convenience stores, build a very good friend of mine. He was a “That’s when I decided my dad wasn’t of a true man of action working every “At first, men were cautious about to-school rally and then we created a economic growth through the Mt. diabetic,” says Edmondson. “It made me cutting my hair anymore. We knew Al day to improve the well-being of women, getting the screenings,” says fatherhood program that included Vernon Business District, and attract a think about how many African-American through our church and knew he had a men and families in his once-thriving- Edmondson. “They didn’t want to basketball clinics,” says Edmondson. grocery store.” barber shop. Ever since, I’ve been com- and-could-be-again neighborhood. men come to our barbershops who may know the bad news. But after a while, “You have to find a carrot to get the ing here.” have high blood pressure issues and over the years, they became more kids to come in…so we combined “It’s been a great ride.” “Blood pressure. Haircut. They go diabetes, and aren’t going to the doctor comfortable with it. They’d see the sign school supplies with a basketball That bald spot tipping point 13 years hand-in-hand.” to check it out.” up and know I was going to ask them camp, which the dads also enjoy. Edmondson now aims to replicate and ago kick-started a special relationship expand his model…and the impact. While he has always carried a strong about it. Blood pressure, haircut. They We brought professionals in to speak between Al Edmonson, owner of A “So I worked with the American Heart sense of service, Edmondson kept plenty go hand in hand.” about wellness.” Cut Above the Rest barber shop, and Association and talked to them about

16 OHIO STATE PUBLIC HEALTH FALL/WINTER 2017 17 “When he says legacy, you figure we “The history of this neighborhood — healthier, better. For all those who come match between my interest in are both part of the fabric of this back in the 40s, this community was and those who leave, they can say, the sciences and also my interest community,” says Edmondson. “Mr. very vibrant, there were a lot of thriving “man, that was a great place.” in improving people’s lives Crawley passed the torch on to me, and businesses and then it started to die out through medicine.“ now I’m passing the torch on to young during the 1990s when crack cocaine Freshman year haircut opens the men coming to the neighborhood, and drugs started pouring into the path to public health “So I took a few public health classes and then asked Al how I could whether they’re starting new businesses neighborhood, which caused the So, back to that botched home haircut. get involved,” says Robinson. “I went to or just need somebody positive that neighborhood to slide off the map for a After that, Jonathan Robinson enjoyed several health fairs and administered they can look up to. There’s a part that little bit,” explains Edmondson. many years of education in the surveys to customers in shops. The everybody plays in the community.” barbershop. But his career path surveys helped figure out what services Some of the best lessons come from they might need and understand their those sitting in his barber’s chair. basic health metrics.”

“I tell people I’ve got the best clients in Forward four years, Robinson graduated the world because I get the CEOs, the with a bachelor’s in public health from Photo: Jodi Miller Ohio State College of Nursing students and faculty have partnered with Edmondson for many drug dealers, I get everybody,” says Ohio State, and has now started years, providing a range of health screenings and education in the barber shop. Edmondson. “I get to talk to them and pursuing his MHA degree at Johns get a feel for what they’re going through Hopkins University. “The newest thing I’ve put together time All-American Ohio State legend and things that they deal with and not “The thing that I’m most proud of about under the Making A Difference umbrella Chic Harley, and McArthur Genius be judgmental about their profession. Jonathan is that he’s going to take it to is the Ohio Black Barber/Beauty Grant recipient and artist-storyteller But I get to learn about so many another level,” Edmondson says. “He’s Network,” says Edmondson. “I reach out Aminah Robinson. different things. I get to grow and I can going to help so many people from just to other barbers and beauticians take some of the stuff I hear and take a seed that was planted here in the to become part of this network so we The present-day stars may not be those ideas and put them to use.” barber shops. And I know the seed that can all do this work together in the household names, but they shine just his dad planted in me, and I can just see areas of health and wellness, legislative as bright as mentors to Edmondson. Doctors, business owners, and budding Robinson could one day join the likes of Columbus East Side legends, writer James Thurber and it trickling down.” awareness and youth mentorship.” artist Aminah Robinson, honored on the shop’s wall. leaders inspire him. changed when he walked in one Wait, what’s that in the mural?! “People want to do the same things but “Now there’s a rebirth. We have new “I’ve had good men around me. One Saturday for a trim before he started they don’t know how to get the supplies investments, we have new businesses. Scanning the Mt. Vernon Avenue wall of my mentors is sitting right over his freshman year at Ohio State. and programs together. So, I’m telling We have new things going on that mural, you see the vivid portrayal of them to join the network which is free, there, Dr. Hicks. He was an OSU doctor the storied street’s arts, music, are bringing people back to the “I walked in and there was a table set I’ll teach you, and you go out in your and professor.” business, and sports history. Looking neighborhood. I’m so proud to be up and there were nursing students neighborhood and do the same thing. closer though, there appears to be a Another long-time community leader president of the business association to there with people sitting down getting Duplicate it. We want it to go statewide.” family with a gentleman sporting a and A Cut Above the Rest customer is help these small businesses find capital their blood pressure taken and receiving Michigan jersey. 83-year-old Nelson Crawley, owner of to fix up the interiors and exteriors of health education materials. I’d never “We’ve got about 10 shops involved Three generations of leaders: Edmondson, Crawley’s Frame Shop since 1975. their buildings.” seen that before so I asked Al what was so far and that’s how you begin to Nelson Crawley and Robinson. “That’s my younger brother and his change your neighborhood. I tell them going on, and he told me it was a new family,” Edmondson says. “He passed “Mr. Crawley comes to the shop and we “It’s just been a blessing,” he says. “The if they need help, call me, and I’ll send “I told someone today that I’m doing initiative that his non-profit had started away after the mural was completed.” talk a lot about things that need to be next 5 or 10 years you’re going to see somebody out to help them work on something to help the businesses in the to reach out to the community and done in the community,” Edmondson the same vibrancy you saw 60 years community engagement. Then they can area and they were like ‘wow, how did provide basic health services related “He was a Michigan fan. But hey, we says. “It’s important because you always ago. People are going to come back be the champion in their you come up with that idea?’ I said hey, I to educating people about what embrace everyone here!” want to learn from people who have and it’s going to be a very diverse neighborhood.” talk to people every day. I found a need, resources there are for them and giving been before you and learn how to jump community, and that’s great.” let’s go do it. Let’s see if God opens up a them knowledge about how to take care over different obstacles and deal with Mentors and “the best clients in door. And if He doesn’t, I’m good. And if Listening to Edmondson’s indisputable of themselves,” recounts Robinson. different people in the neighborhood, the world” He does, that’s great.” confidence in the comeback, you just and he’s done it all.” “I thought it was really interesting that know it will happen. “I always say I’m barber to the stars . . . he was using his barber shop as a past, present and future.” “He’s been a great role model showing Thriving, decay, and a comeback “Our overall goal is a healthy mechanism to draw people in to gain how to navigate certain situations.” The colorful, imaginative mural which community, from a grocery store, to the knowledge and gain resources in their The “stars” on Columbus’ Near East stretches across the wall of the shop health services provided in the barber community. That’s how I learned about Side include a Who’s Who of American “I try to do my best to keep them on chronicles the rich heritage of Mt. shop, young people coming back with public health because he told me this culture, sports and education. Walk the right track and give them important Vernon Avenue, from the 1940s to new and innovative ideas to help make was a collaboration between him and into Edmondson’s shop and you’re information and sincere information the present. Local artist Greg Hawkins neighborhoods like ours a great place to Ohio State, and that if I thought I was in- greeted with a mural with portraits and do all I can to help them continue captures the flourishing culture and live. We’re all trying to play our part in terested, I should look into public health. of Columbus’ famed East High School the legacy out here on the east side,” businesses, and of course, the hair and helping make this neighborhood I realized public health could be a good alumni. The icons include the acclaimed says Crawley. fashion styles through the decades. writer-humorist James Thurber, three- A mural on outside of the building illustrates the Near East Side rising up to greater heights. 18 OHIO STATE PUBLIC HEALTH FALL/WINTER 2017 19

Ohio’s opioid crisis: When Ohio Governor John Kasich passed through the sunlit atrium of the Ohio Statehouse one ‘We’re all in this together’ morning in early April, he noticed a meeting taking place with an all too familiar theme. By STEVE BARRISH

Ohio Gov. John Kasich addresses an audience of health, education and government leaders about Ohio’s opioid crisis at the statehouse in April.

It was two days after Kasich gave his A CONVERSATION State of the State address in Sandusky, Ohio, where he discussed, among other The meeting in April was one of needs, the opioid epidemic that has several events organized this year by been ravaging his state. So when he The Ohio State University College of stumbled upon a room full of education, Public Health Dean William Martin, MD, health and government leaders that featured speakers and participants discussing opiate abuse in Ohio, he from Ohio State, local health seized the opportunity. departments, non-profits and other organizations on the front lines of Ohio’s “We go all the way across the board… opioid crisis. we’re going to see results,” Kasich said as he addressed the audience unan- In January 2017, Martin and Director of nounced. “I believe we will see results, OSU Extension Roger Rennekamp, PhD, absolute positive results in the future, co-hosted a summit on Ohio State’s but we’re paying for the sins of the past.” campus that invited experts from inside and outside of Ohio State to discuss Governor Kasich’s impromptu speech their role in the crisis: what they’ve seen offered some hope, but was laden with work and the challenges they face. the reality of a crisis that, in 2015, had Ohio leading the nation in opiate “We tried a number of novel overdose deaths, according to a report approaches to highlight what was A mural in the plaza of the Rock and by the Kaiser Family Foundation. being done at Ohio State University Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in because we already knew that was a Cleveland, part of a public awareness In this vicious opioid epidemic, Ohio is major request of attendees,” campaign by Cuyahoga County called ground zero. Martin says. “Know the Risks.”

20 OHIO STATE PUBLIC HEALTH Photo: Steve Barrish FALL/WINTER 2017 21 College of Public Health Shymanski fondly recalls the times he IN THE COMMUNITY Division of Epidemiology Chair and his friend Eric spent fishing and William Miller, MD, PhD, MPH hanging out in their early twenties. But College of Public Health Division of (left), and Assistant Professor Epidemiology Chair William Miller, MD, of Epidemiology Kathryn in 2016, at the age of 42, Eric lost his PhD, MPH, believes in starting small and Lancaster, PhD (right), are life due to an opiate overdose. He left working on research studies behind three children, including his building to get to the bigger things. He is regarding opioid use, 10-month-old daughter. the principal investigator on a new grant treatment and prevention from the National Institute for Drug in rural Southern Ohio. “As with everything, you lose track of Abuse (NIDA), part of the National people over time,” Shymanski says. “And Institutes of Health (NIH), which has then you wake up one day and they’re been awarded pending approval from no longer around.” the Ohio State Institutional Review Board (IRB). Eric is one of too many friends and neighbors Shymanski has seen fall victim The study will focus on managing The event featured keynote speakers CLOSE TO HOME to substance abuse, overdose or suicide substance abuse and preventing from the U.S. Department of Health and in his small hometown. complications like HIV, hepatitis-C and Human Services, Ohio Mental Health Tucked away in the middle of Cunz sexually-transmitted diseases among and Addiction Services, RTI International Hall, College of Public Health Director “People like Eric, who are wonderful those who inject drugs, namely opiates, and more. Additionally, experts from of Information Systems Don Shymanski people, their smile would light up a in Scioto, Pike and Jackson counties in a wide range of disciplines shed light keeps the lights dim as he oversees the room,” Shymanski says. And it’s this Southeastern Ohio. It will be one of eight Mark Hurst, MD, medical director of the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, cyber infrastructure that keeps faculty, typical scenario of how you see these similar studies across the country, all on the crisis from their angle with brief provides an overview of the opioid crisis at the statehouse in April. “ignite sessions.” students, researchers and staff pushing people fade away into the limelight. sharing data and best practices. public health forward. [The] smile on their face is nothing Judy Tansky, PhD, senior lecturer at compared to what they’re “The real hope is that we can develop a Yet, even after 15 years, it remains more Ohio State’s Fisher College of battling inside.” deliberative plan that is generalizable, Miller will also be working on a Lancaster says that one thing she has than just a job to Shymanski; it’s a role in Business, discussed her effort to prevent scalable; that can be expanded project with Assistant Professor of learned from her international work is helping communities impacted by public While he isn’t out in the field developing ex-offenders from returning to prison throughout the rest of the rural areas Epidemiology Kathryn Lancaster, PhD, that partnerships are key in order to health crises. And it’s personal. the public health solutions to combat through an entrepreneurship program. in Ohio and other parts of the country,” which will inform his NIH study. hit the ground running. “It’s necessary these issues, Shymanski knows that his Other sessions focused on the roles pets Miller says. “I’m hopeful that – coming to develop the local partnership to Shymanski’s home county of Ashtabula role maintains a digital environment play in the crisis, community outreach from all the projects together, not just They, along with other colleagues, will gain that trust in order to not only start in Northeast Ohio has been hit hard by of collaboration, communication and efforts by the Ohio attorney general’s ours but the whole thing – there will be perform a systematic review of the examining what is the current situation, the opioid crisis. Buried deep in the security that allows others in the college office and the Ohio State College of some sustainable strategies for bringing opioid epidemic in Appalachian regions: what are the trends, but then also Rust Belt, the region’s diminished to help reduce the pain and suffering he Pharmacy’s “Generation Rx” initiative services to rural areas, because that’s looking at what is published; what figuring out and determining what economy has many residents struggling has witnessed. that distributes education materials on really what it’s about.” interventions have been developed and to find work, and too often turning to you do for next steps in addressing prescription safety. implemented; identifying trends; and substance abuse. “Just being involved here and seeing the the issues.” Miller will examine the opportunities to building recommendations on where to work that’s done for all kinds of different Martin adds that the primary goal he bring some of the under-used and often go next. Miller and his other grantees involved in “You see the progression over the years things, … there’s an impact that we can and Rennekamp had “was to galvanize unavailable treatment and prevention the NIH study have been invited by NIDA where it changes from high school kids make,” Shymanski says. “So anything OSU on this issue in such a way that we methods to rural communities, such as Lancaster has studied the effectiveness to a meeting in September to discuss and tobacco to high school kids and all that we can do here that can help out would have some actionable next steps.” medication-assisted treatment (MAT) of prevention, intervention and these other things,” Shymanski says. implementation of the project. there is a great place for us to be.” and syringe service programs, commonly treatment methods related to “Unfortunately, meth and heroin were Feedback from attendees of the event known as “needle exchanges.” intravenous drug use in countries like OUR RESPONSIBILITY things that just kind of took over identified many barriers organizations Vietnam, Ukraine and Indonesia. She up there.” and individuals face in fighting the crisis, “A lot of the project is going in, seeing anticipates parallels between her work The NIH-funded grant is a big step most notably the lack of adequate what’s there, but then listening to what abroad and the work she’ll be doing in forward for the College of Public Health funding and coordination, and the There are many similarities from areas I worked people want,” Miller says. “It’s very rural Ohio. in taking on the opioid crisis, but it is stigma surrounding substance abuse. open-ended, so it’s where the only one layer peeled back from a internationally in the sense of communities living community takes us, really.” “There are many similarities from areas complicated onion. “One of the issues is the ‘us vs. them’ in resource-constrained settings with limited I worked internationally in the sense of mentality that some people carry,” an Joining Miller on the project from the communities living in resource- “Ohio has these huge challenges in attendee commented in a post-event availability to health care services like harm college will be: Pamela Salsberry, PhD, constrained settings with limited public health,” Martin says. “But we associate dean for community outreach survey conducted by the College of reduction,” Lancaster says. “Identifying and linking availability to health care services like must learn to listen more carefully to Public Health. “There is no ‘us,’ ‘them’ or and engagement; Andrew Wapner, DO, harm reduction,” Lancaster says. the communities we serve. Helping even ‘me’ in this situation; there is only people who are using opioids in rural Ohio to the MPH ‘12, director of the Center for Public “Identifying and linking people who are communities help themselves is central Health Practice; and Abigail Norris to the land-grant mission of OSU, and ‘we,’ and we have a problem!” care and services they need has the potential to using opioids in rural Ohio to the care Turner, PhD, associate professor of and services they need has the potential it is clear that in the middle of a public change the outlook of this epidemic. epidemiology. to change the outlook of this epidemic.” health crisis, we are all in this together.” — Kathryn Lancaster, PhD, assistant professor of epidemiology 22 OHIO STATE PUBLIC HEALTH FALL/WINTER 2017 23 MHA Class of ’74 Reaches Endowed Scholarship Goal, Doubles Impact By STEVE BARRISH

For many, philanthropy is a deeply personal way to pave the path for those who will follow in their footsteps. For members of The Ohio State University’s Hospital and Health Administration Class of 1974, it was also a way to mark decades of collective success since graduation.

Their philanthropic group effort resulted in theClass of 1974 Distinguished Student Endowed Scholarship Fund, which successfully completed its goal of $100,000. The target was set by the Ohio Scholarship Challenge, a program that allowed endowed scholarship funds of $100,000 or more to be matched 1:1 with payouts in perpetuity by Ohio State.

The idea to launch a class scholarship campaign evolved throughout the long-standing friendship of campaign co-chairs and Class of ’74 classmates Ned Zechman, MS ’74, and Mark Neaman, MS ’74. When they learned in summer 2014 of the College of Public Health’s fundraising priorities, they decided that creating an endowed scholarship fund seemed like the best way to give back to their alma mater.

Zechman was originally asked to chair The pitch to their former classmates the campaign by Tom Wickizer, PhD, was that their gifts would make a true The Ohio State University Health Administration Class of 1974 chair and professor in the Division of difference in the lives of Master of Health Services Management and Policy. Health Administration (MHA) student While excited about the opportunity, scholarship recipients, particularly as he knew that Neaman would make a the cost of higher education continues great co-chair, and that their teamwork to rise.

Philanthropy is unique — it is both a responsibility and a blessing,” Neaman added. “It is fulfilling to see the way such an investment continues to multiply and touch Ned Zechman, MS ’74 the lives of so many individuals. The fund will not only benefit students, “Philanthropy is unique --- it is both a Zechman attributes much of his success but will also benefit the overall success responsibility and a blessing,” Neaman to the skills and networking opportunities — Mark Neaman, MS ‘74 of the College of Public Health’s MHA added. “It is fulfilling to see the way such that Ohio State’s MHA program Mark Neaman, MS ‘74 program. For Neaman, professionalism an investment continues to multiply and provided. His positive experience at would lead to a successful scholarship “Being able to lessen the burden of debt “When the seed was planted to do starts at the university level, so investing touch the lives of so many individuals.” Ohio State is what drives him to pay it campaign. They both believed that their on a hard-working student is making a something in honor of the Class of ’74, in the program is an investment in the forward so that the program can be for former classmates would get behind real difference,” Zechman says. “I hope The philosophy of giving back began in we knew it was the right time to do entire profession. today’s students what it was for him. the opportunity to mark their 40-year that we are able to help someone who Zechman’s childhood home where his something with impact,” Neaman says. milestone in such a way. wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford “We’re helping to provide resources for parents modeled philanthropy. He “Ohio State, as a university, has a culture the cost of graduate school come out “We agreed that scholarships were the talented students,” Neaman says. spent his career leading children’s of paying it forward, and our time as “MHA cohorts are small, but alumni are of the program we know and love with highest priority,” Zechman added. “What these students achieve – in the hospitals, and a focus on philanthropy students instilled in us that this should dedicated,” Neaman says. “We knew the less debt, and have a jump-start on their “And the Ohio Scholarship Challenge – classroom and in the field – fuels the played a large role in the success of the remain a constant in our lives even after amount of gifts it would take to create careers and personal lives.” having the match dollars – was an future success and reputation of the organizations he led. we graduate,” Zechman says. “Giving a scholarship fund, and it was the right extra incentive to increase the impact of MHA program at Ohio State.” back, to me, is a way to say thanks for all goal for our group.” our philanthropy.” the blessings I’ve been given.”

24 OHIO STATE PUBLIC HEALTH FALL/WINTER 2017 25 Students of the college’s Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) program College of Public Health students have also had the opportunity to participate in national case competitions.

In April, a team of BSPH students demonstrate knowledge, competed in the second annual St. Louis University Public Health Scholar Bowl, taking home first place in the case skill through case competitions study competition and third place in the trivia competition. Teams from 12 other By RACHEL BULES & STEVE BARRISH universities competed, and according to BSPH student Niru Muralidharan, the competition was tough.

“OSU proved that we are a force to be Students in all programs at The participated in each year since its In March, the Association of Future reckoned with, similar to public health Ohio State University College inaugural event in 1996. Healthcare Executives (AFHE) MHA powerhouses like Johns Hopkins student organization at Ohio State University and George Washington of Public Health acquire the Current MHA student Wilkister Tangasi hosted its sixth annual Ohio State Health University,” Muralidharan says. “We knowledge and tools to solve participated at the NAHSE competition Care Management Case Competition have brilliant faculty who are teaching in autumn 2016 and says that despite the world’s most pressing for first-year MHA students. Ohio State us meaningful information and we’re being challenging, the competition was competed against 11 other universities utilizing what we’ve learned in an public health and health care very rewarding. including University of Minnesota and ever-competitive environment.” challenges. Some put their University of Alabama Birmingham. The model used by the Public Health knowledge to the test in case Scholar Bowl of incorporating the competitions throughout five core disciplines of public health the year. inspired the College of Public Health Alumni Society. Although not a required part of the This fall, CPH graduate and curriculum, these competitions have undergraduate students of all allowed teams of students to gain specializations will work together to experience applying their newly- provide creative population health acquired public health training. solutions to an Ohio community’s public “Case competitions give students the health challenges using real community opportunity to apply what they have health assessment data. Teams will learned in the classroom to solve ‘real present their work in front of CPH life’ health care problems, present faculty, staff, alumni, fellow students executive-level recommendations and and a panel of judges. The team of Ohio State undergraduate public health students who took home first place in the case study competition and third place in the trivia competition at the second annual St. Louis interact with health care leaders and CPH Alumni Society president Steve University Public Health Scholar Bowl. (Left to right: Yousef Yacoub, Ajay Saraf, Jordan Royster, colleagues from around the country,” Greg Zane, Maddie Drenkhan, Niru Muralidharan) The team of Ohio State MHA students that competed at the University of Alabama Smith, MS ’77, sees this as an says Julie Robbins, PhD, MHA, director Birmingham Health Administration Case Competition in February. (Left to right: Obineche opportunity to demonstrate to students of the college’s Master of Health Nnebedum, Rachel Rutledge, Olivia Moskaluk, Jessica Coon, Sarah Beinkampen, faculty adviser how creative problem solving from the Administration (MHA) program. “For the Tory Hogan, PhD) OSU proved that we are a force to be reckoned wide variety of disciplines taught at program, these competitions are an the college can come together to solve with, similar to public health powerhouses like excellent external benchmark in which “Ultimately, NAHSE was a fun way to “We are so proud of our students for today’s public health issues. our students’ success demonstrates develop transferable skills including putting on this amazing event and Johns Hopkins University and George Washington leadership, analytical and strategic working to make it bigger and better the high quality of our students and “We are fortunate at the College of Public thinking, and presentation which will be every year,” Robbins says. “Putting University,” Muralidharan says. “We have brilliant program relative to other top programs Health to have a broad spectrum of vital for when I graduate and begin my on an event of this scale requires around the country.” required academic disciplines,” Smith faculty who are teaching us meaningful information career,” Tangasi says. tremendous leadership and says. “Our hope is that this case The MHA program has a long history commitment. We appreciate that and we’re utilizing what we’ve learned in an ever- competition will challenge the of students participating in national Participating in national case they are willing to invest their time student participants in a fun way and competitive environment. case competitions such as the National competitions has been a valuable and talent to better the program and enhance collaboration for the college Association of Health Services Executives experience for MHA students, so much provide such a great opportunity for — Niru Muralidharan going forward.” (NAHSE) Everett V. Fox Student Case so that Ohio State students began health care management students Competition, which Ohio State has hosting their own competition in 2012. across the country.”

26 OHIO STATE PUBLIC HEALTH FALL/WINTER 2017 27 FUTURE SNOW THE GRADUATE By Niru Muralidharan By Aaron Fields, MHA ‘10

THE TRANSITION FROM SMALL TO BIG U Our Alumni Network: Vital Through my experiences I have seen to Furthering Your Career firsthand how important developing a When I decided to transfer from a university with less than strong alumni network is, but I also know 5,000 undergraduates to one with 40,000, I was overwhelmed. Developing relationships is critical that it can be an intimidating process I remember trying to reassure myself that statistically, I had to to your career success for two main to begin as a student. So here are find at least one person that shared my interests. reasons. First, no public health some tips to help you start developing problem can be solved by yourself. your network: I realized fairly quickly that I had severely underestimated Ohio Whether it is a city commission State. I met people younger than me who were managing their to reduce infant mortality, or a How do I find alumni? own NGOs, running multiple student organizations, doing patient safety team trying to reduce research abroad, and volunteering all over Columbus. Similarly, I the number of hospital-acquired • Ask your professors for met brilliant professors who were fighting health inequity every infections … any problem requires recommendations. day, incredible staff that truly care about students, and aspiring Aaron Fields, MHA, is a 2010 graduate of building strong relationships to solve • Talk to a guest speaker after class, the College of Public Health’s Health Services PhD students who knew more about public health than I ever it together. email them with a question, or ask if Management and Policy program, and the imagined possible. you can set up time to talk with them President-Elect of the CPH HSMP Alumni The second reason relationships Society. He is a strategy consultant for one on one. I’m sharing my experiences to give you a sense of the College are so important is that they help OhioHealth. of Public Health community. I spend my Mondays studying advance your career opportunities. • During your summer experience, ask if adolescent male tobacco use with incredibly kind students and In February of last year, Business any graduates are currently working at professionals from all over the university. It may sound like a Insider published a research article that organization. boring research meeting, but Dr. Amy Ferketich’s team never showing that 85 percent of jobs are • Seek out alumni that did a practicum, • Talk about your career interests, ceases to make me laugh and think critically. On Tuesdays and filled via networking. That is residency, or job that interests you. or current events in the field. Thursdays, you can find me meeting with Dr. Gail Kaye, Dr. an astounding number! As CPH • Look for alumni in the area of the • Figure out what conversation medium Michael Bisesi, or the Office for Academic Programs about how alumni hear of a job opening, their country where you want to live you are most comfortable in. Some we can improve the undergraduate student experience. first thought will be, “Is there anyone after graduation. people are better on the phone, I know that would be a good fit for Although The Ohio State University is notoriously big, I have others do better in person. (I am the the role?” When this happens, you been lucky enough to meet people who truly believe in a culture latter and set up a lot of coffee and want those alums to think of YOU. of improvement and change. I typically spend my Wednesdays To this day, he and I have lunch meetings with my network). Niru Muralidharan navigating a future in epidemiology with Dr. William Miller, For me, networking with alumni never met in person, but the • Always, always ask the question, “Who BSPH-Environmental talking about environmental advocacy with Dr. Brenda Clark, helped my career before I even had else should I reach out to?” Public Health Student time he spent talking to me or hanging out on the third floor of OSU’s Cunz Hall with my my first health care job. As a new • If the conversation goes well, ask if it’s closest friends. Ohio State MHA student in 2008, as a student dramatically OK to talk on a regular basis. I was uncertain of which job shaped my career. I am “Future Snow” presents perspective from the Ultimately, Ohio State has given me an incredible opportunity student public health experience. The name opportunities I wanted to pursue • Your goal should be to make to join something so much bigger than myself and work with forever grateful to him. is a “tip of the cap” to John Snow, considered upon graduation. So, I reached out a connection. the father of public health. passionate people all over Columbus to further public health, to an alumnus who had started his science, and society. I’m not quite sure where I’ll end up for Developing your alumni network is vital own consulting business in Chicago. graduate school, but I can only hope my experiences are as What should we talk about? to furthering your career. I thoroughly He was happy to talk with me, and positive as they’ve been so far. enjoy my relationships with fellow we spent over an hour discussing • First, don’t be scared. Remember alumni, as well as helping students start his experiences in consulting, as well every graduate was a student once, their own networks. I want to thank all of as the pros and cons of that career starting their own network with the our amazing Ohio State CPH alumni for path in general. Through this alum’s help of veteran alumni. They will want being so willing to give back. Your insights and suggestions, I focused to help you the same way others commitment to helping our students my graduation job search on helped them. and fellow alumni is a real differentiator health care providers, which was the • Second, treat the first meeting like an for our College of Public Health best decision for me. To this day, he interview. Dress professionally and programs. To all our current students, and I have never met in person, but come prepared with questions. it’s never too early to start developing the time he spent talking to me as your network. Reach out to an • Be curious and ask questions about a student dramatically shaped my alum today! career. I am forever grateful to him. the alum and his or her career.

28 OHIO STATE PUBLIC HEALTH FALL/WINTER 2017 29 ALUMNI NEWS & NOTES

He and a few other NASA employees watched a TV monitor hooked up to a 16-inch telescope and saw oxygen from the craft’s just-ruptured tank venting into space. Manoj Sharma, PhD ‘97 Manoj is an honoree for the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award for 2017, given by Marquis

From his backyard observatory, Wyckliffe Hoffler captured this Who’s Who Publication Board. He has also authored photo of the Horsehead Nebula (also known as Barnard 33). The more than 500 publications in his career, including nine Horsehead Nebula is a dark nebula in the constellation Orion and is approximately 1,500 light years from Earth. It is one of the most books and 195 peer-reviewed journal articles. identifiable nebulae because of the shape of its swirling cloud of dark dust and gases, which bears some resemblance to a horse’s head when viewed from Earth.

G. Wyckliffe Hoffler, MD, MS ’68 in his class. He earned his MD degree in 1960 from SHIRO TANAKA, MS ‘63 the Rotary Club of Charleston — JASON ROCK, MD, MPH ‘03 Breakfast where he has been a the University of North Carolina. Shiro’s beloved wife of 55 years, Fumiko, Jason is working as a psychiatrist member of the club for 22+ years. G. Wyckliffe Hoffler, MD, MS ’68, aerospace medicine died of pancreatic cancer in August 2016 in Northeast Ohio and Western graduate from the Department of Preventive He grew up in eastern North Carolina, and his in Cincinnati. They were married in 1961 SHERY MILZ, MS ‘87 Pennsylvania. He is board certified in Medicine, division of public health, is a retired NASA schooling and career took him many places before in Japan and he was then accepted to both adult and child and adolescent the OSU preventive medicine residency Shery serves as the 2017 chair of the psychiatry. Jason lives in Youngstown physician. In his work with NASA, Wyckliffe would settling in Titusville, Florida, 40 years ago. He and his program. Shiro shared that he received board of directors of the American with his wife and four children. evaluate astronauts’ cardiovascular health pre- and wife, Anita, live in the home they bought back then, an excellent education/training from Conference of Governmental industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), one of two ERICK VIDMAR, MHA ‘06 post-flight - often traveling by boat out to shuttle Drs. Arthur Ashe, Bertram Dinman, and it is where they raised their three children. They national organizations supporting the Martin Keller and Charles Billings Jr. Erick recently accepted a new position as drop-zones to greet astronauts as they exited the public health field of industrial hygiene. now have great-grandchildren. Columbus was their honeymoon town the administrative director of Cleveland spacecraft. He also supported Shuttle launch and and they lived on a monthly stipend of CARSON REIDER, PHD ‘01, MS ‘87 Clinic’s operations in Nevada. landings and occupational medicine. He has participated in many medical mission trips to $300. “It seems just like yesterday,” China and Africa, and he embarked on a 10-day trip he says. Carson is now in his 30th year as BETH WAGG, MPH ‘07 administrative staff at Ohio State. As a young NASA flight surgeon, Wyckliffe took a In May, Beth received her second to Kenya, near the Somalia border, this summer (at DAVID NEFF, MHA ‘81 He is currently the administrative master’s degree from The Ohio State break from studying for his medical boards, and went director for the Neuroscience Research the age of 83). Until recently, Anita accompanied him David retired from the Medical University University. She now has a Master of Institute. Concerning the College to the roof of the Manned Spacecraft Center, now on global health trips. of South Carolina in Charleston, SC, Public Health and Master of Applied of Public Health, his proudest the Johnson Space Center, to catch the second night in May 2016 after serving as the Clinical and Preclinical Research. Wyckliffe has had a love of space since he was a kid, administrator for ambulatory and accomplishments are establishing the of Apollo 13’s flight to the moon. He and a few other Mary Plummer Scholarship Fund and, and is an avid astronomer. He has an observatory support services for 24 years. He NASA employees watched a TV monitor hooked up to currently serves on the Board and is more recently, the Richard R. Lanese Scholarship Fund – both endowed. a 16-inch telescope and saw oxygen from the craft’s in his backyard with a massive telescope, computer, a volunteer driver for Senior Ride Charleston, a non-profit community just-ruptured tank venting into space. and other electronics to help him photograph space. SARAH SAMPSEL, MPH ‘00 He shared that he “gets wrapped up in exploring and services organization that provides affordable transportation services to Sarah accepted a position as vice Wyckliffe said that Ohio State was the only aerospace photographing space and sometimes doesn’t come senior citizens and the visually impaired president at Discern Health, LLC, medicine program accepting students, and he inside until 4 am!” citizens of Charleston County. On July 1, a health care quality consulting firm applied and was admitted. There were seven people 2017, David was appointed president of located in Baltimore.

30 OHIO STATE PUBLIC HEALTH FALL/WINTER 2017 31 Meredith Inniger, MHA ‘09 Meredith received the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) Early Career Healthcare Executive Regent’s Award, given by the ACHE Regent for Pennsylvania & Southern New Jersey. The Early Career Healthcare Executive Award recognizes ACHE members who have made significant contributions to the advancement of health care management excellence and the achievement of ACHE’s goals.

MARGARETTE SHEGOG, MPH ‘09 AMY PETROCY, MPH ‘12 KEITH HUSTAK, PA-C, MPH ‘12 MARISA BITTONI, MS ‘87, PHD ‘13 JESSICA JOLLY, MHA ‘13, MPH ‘14 LAUREN BATTISTA, MPH ‘16 Margarette is heading to Fortuna, CA, to Amy has relocated to Australia where In the last nine months, Keith received Marisa is a research scientist at the Jessica started as the director of regional Lauren received a promotion to program be “a full-scope family medicine doctor.” she is now working at the Brisbane another promotion at Spectrum Health. OSU Comprehensive Cancer Center and clinical operations at the Louisiana manager of Buckeye Wellness, under North Primary Health Network, an He is now a vice president serving their and is currently conducting research on Department of Health Office of Public the Office of the Chief Wellness Officer ERIN SHAFFER, MHA ‘10 Australian government initiative to APPs. This is the fourth promotion Keith lifestyle factors, inflammation and lung Health in October 2016. In her role, she at The Ohio State University in January In May, Erin was given the additional increase the efficiency and effectiveness has received since obtaining his MPH cancer risk. She resides in Columbus manages a $35 million budget and is 2017. She co-facilitates the Buckeye responsibilities of executive director of medical services for patients. In her degree from Ohio State in 2012. He has with her husband, Giorgio. They have responsible for the strategic direction, Wellness Innovator program, effectively of the Transplantation Institute at role as engagement & planning officer, three daughters: Avery; Sadie (born two grown daughters who also live operations, quality improvement, providing guidance and direction to over University of Chicago Medicine after she supports the organization’s while he was in school); and now Haddie, in Columbus. financials and human resource man- 450 volunteers. Lauren also manages 1 ½ years serving as executive director engagement with key stakeholders and who is two years old. agement of 64 parish health unit clinics, all Buckeye Wellness programming for of the Heart and Vascular Center. Her assists with the PHN’s regional health nine regional public health offices, faculty and staff. She is an adviser for new title is now executive director of planning and commissioning processes. CHRIS REA, PHD ‘13, MPH ‘09 pharmacy services and nursing services two student organizations, Buckeyes for the Heart and Vascular Center & Chris recently accepted a position as an comprised of nine physicians, four Wellness and Alpha Phi Omega. Transplantation Institute. EMILY DESHAIES, MPH ‘12 associate program officer at the National pharmacists, 15 advanced practice She is also a co-founder and service/ In September 2016, Emily took the Academies of Sciences, Engineering and nurses and 700 front-line staff. Their fundraising director of a new young DYLAN GALOS, PHD, MS ‘11 position of environmental specialist II Medicine in the Gulf Research Program. work assures that all Louisiana residents professional’s service organization called Dylan recently finished a PhD in at the Ohio Environmental Protection have access to family planning, STD/ EPIC, Empowering (Young) Professionals epidemiology from the University of Agency in the Division of Air Pollution HIV, tuberculosis, WIC, immunizations, in Columbus. Minnesota, Twin Cities, and has begun Control at the Southeast District Office, children with special health care work as a research scientist at Wilder Logan, Ohio. She was formerly a needs, genetics, and vital record Research. Dylan’s work will involve registered sanitarian at the Pickaway services statewide. overseeing and conducting research County Health Department. studies in public health, with the subject areas of health equity, active living and adverse childhood experiences as primary content areas.

32 OHIO STATE PUBLIC HEALTH FALL/WINTER 2017 33 Suzi Martinez, global public health ’17 Suzi has started a year-long Princeton in Latin America Fellowship (PiLA) in Nicaragua. She was placed with Communidad Connect, a public health organization, as a Health Connections Fellow.

Suzi Martinez (middle) in Nicaragua with two past Princeton in Latin America Fellows.

NILESH WICKRAMANAYAKE, ROBERT ORELLANA, MPH, PHD ‘18 MPH ‘14 Robert competed in his first triathlon, Nilesh is currently working as the 2017 Ross Tri-Fit Challenge, this compliance/QI director at Southeast, Inc. year. In his career, Robert has served as Healthcare Services. the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) facility administrator for The JESSICA SOLOMON, MPH ‘15 Ohio State University Wexner Medical Jessica was accepted into the Ohio State Center. One of his roles in this College of Veterinary Medicine DVM appointment involves disseminating the program for the Class of 2021. risk modeling used to benchmark the hospital to others around the nation. KENDALL LESER, PHD ‘16

Kendall started on July 25, 2017, as Did you recently get a new a tenure track assistant professor of job? Earn a promotion? community and environmental health Make a difference in your at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, community or work? Win an VA. Kendall will be mainly teaching in the award? Get married? Have BROOKE RENGERS, MPH ‘16 MPH program. a child? Brooke married her high school MICHAL ELIAS-BACHRACH, sweetheart of 10 years just a week after Share your news or update with fellow alumni, students, faculty and others at MPH ‘17 graduating in May 2016. After returning the College of Public Health and Ohio Michal earned her MPH in May 2017 from their honeymoon in Riviera Maya, State. News submitted through the and is working as a social worker at the she jumped right into the Graduate form may appear on our website and in Center for Healthy Weight and Nutrition Entry Nurse Practitioner program at publications such as e-newsletters and at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Ohio State. She is now one semester the CPH magazine. You may also use the form to update your personal and away from NCLEX eligibility and five CLAIRE MEEKS, MPH ‘17 professional contact information on semesters away from graduation. your OSU record. After graduating in May with her MPH, Brooke thanks her “MPH foundation” Claire recently took a new position as for making her “a well-rounded and big THANK YOU AND GO BUCKS! business systems analyst at The Ohio picture kind of nursing student... go.osu.edu/CPHalumninews State University Wexner Medical Center. and wife!”

34 OHIO STATE PUBLIC HEALTH FALL/WINTER 2017 35 William J. Martin II, MD Steve Barrish HEALTH SERVICES MANAGEMENT Dean Communications Coordinator AND POLICY (HSMP) ALUMNI SOCIETY BOARD OF GOVERNORS Michael Bisesi, PhD Heather Evans Senior Associate Dean for CPH Alumni Society & Special Rick Goins, MHA ’03 Academic Affairs Events Coordinator President Pamela Salsberry, PhD Emilie Zion Aaron Fields, MHA ’10 Associate Dean for Outreach HSMP Alumni Society Coordinator President-Elect and Engagement Elizabeth Seely, MHA ’90 COLLEGE OF PUBLIC HEALTH ALUMNI What is your legacy at Christopher Weghorst, PhD Immediate Past-President Associate Dean for Research SOCIETY BOARD OF GOVERNORS Jim Schaum, MS ’79 Ann Florentine Steve Smith, MS-HSMP ’77 Treasurer the College of Public Health? Assistant Dean for Finance President and Administration Meredith Inniger, MHA ’09 Celia Wright, BSPH ’15 Secretary Did you know a gift in your will can help the college continue to improve Qinghua Sun, MD, PhD President-Elect the lives of others here and around the world? Your gift will have greater Assistant Dean for Global Kelly Scheiderer, MHA ’95 Melissa Mathias, MPH ’08 Public Health At-Large Representative impact than you ever imagined. Immediate Past-President Erin Shaffer, MHA ’10 ADVANCEMENT Kate Tullio, MS ’11 At-Large Representative We can help you find the right giving strategy to meet your charitable Secretary and financial needs. Many gift strategies can: Gary Snyder Dan Like, MHA ’99 Jason Richter, MS/PhD ’13 Director of Communications/ At-Large Representative Treasurer External Affairs Manju Woods, MHA ’06 • Provide significant tax savings Robert Campbell, MS/PhD ‘79/’90 Emily Bell At-Large Representative • Increase income, either for you or whomever you designate At-Large Representative Director of Development • Sustain support for the College of Public Health for future generations Casey Gayheart, BSPH ’15 At-Large Representative Learn more Phone: 800-327-7907 Email: [email protected] For information about making a gift to The Ohio State University Website: giveto.osu.edu/giftplanning College of Public Health, please contact:

EMILY BELL “I completed my undergraduate education, medical degree, and Director of Development, Office of Advancement residency at Ohio State, and I love this university. After a long and The Ohio State University College of Public Health successful career in occupational medicine, Karen and I wanted to do 280C Cunz Hall, 1841 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210 something to give back to the school that gave so much to me. Our 614-247-4241 Office / 614-406-1370 Mobile gift will support environmental health, because we care deeply about [email protected] osu.edu/giving making sure that people work and live in safe and healthy spaces. We chose to make this contribution to help ensure that the future is For information about alumni relations and programs, a bright place for our young people, and we encourage everyone to please contact: consider a gift to Ohio State in their estate plans.” —Dr. Robert Fletcher, BS ’57, MD ’63 and Mrs. Karen Marie Fletcher HEATHER EVANS Coordinator, College of Public Health Alumni Society 614-292-2309 or [email protected]

EMILIE ZION Coordinator, Health Services Management and Policy (HSMP) Alumni Society 614-292-2383 or [email protected]

36 OHIO STATE PUBLIC HEALTH FALL/WINTER 2017 37 College of Public Health The Ohio State University 250 Cunz Hall 1841 Neil Ave. Columbus, OH 43210

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Ohio has a great heritage of pioneering, innovation and problem-solving. That’s what we do best. Congratulations, graduates. You are the real-world heroes. I’m looking at the people who will take on the real challenge of maintaining this human race…and taking care of the welfare of this land and this earth.

— Conrade C. Hinds, Author and Historian 2017 Pre-Commencement Program