SPH News Archive 
The News of the School of Public Health (SPH), including press releases, events, and happenings.
2012
Global Health Week: 'Innovation Happens When You See What’s Not Working'
Despite great progress on public health issues globally, there are huge challenges ahead. Joseph Babigumira knows the magnitude of the tasks from hard experience. He has been working to improve reproductive rights in Uganda and trying to get more people there tested for HIV. (May 9, 2012)
William Foege Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
William Foege, who helped eradicate smallpox, has been named a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He says he hopes the award will highlight work in the field of global health. (April 27, 2012)
University of Washington, Battelle Scientists Identify Potential Early Biomarker for Autism Spectrum Disorder: Breakthrough Could Help Autistic Children Receive Treatment Sooner
University of Washington, Battelle Scientists Identify Potential Early Biomarker for Autism Spectrum Disorder: Breakthrough Could Help Autistic Children Receive Treatment Sooner (April 23, 2012)
Americans living longer, but gains could be better
Americans continue to live longer, but women’s life spans are improving at a much slower rate than men’s. And other countries are making stronger gains. Black Americans, meanwhile, are closing the gap on whites, according to new estimates from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. (April 23, 2012)
Wearable Artificial Kidney to Be Tested in Seattle
The first U.S. trial of the “WAK” will be conducted in a collaboration of the UW School of Public Health, the UW Kidney Research Institute, and the FDA. (April 9, 2012)
Celebrating Public Health 2012
Public health has come a long way since the UW School of Public Health was founded in 1970, and we continue to make advances in such key areas as air and water quality, food safety and nutrition, disease prevention, workplace safety, and injury prevention. (March 30, 2012)
SPH to Study Health Impacts of Duwamish Cleanup
A new project led by SPH Professor Bill Daniell will assess key health issues affecting people who use the Duwamish River or live nearby. The highly polluted Lower Duwamish Waterway in Seattle was declared a Superfund site in 2001. The study's results will help the EPA decide how to clean it up while minimizing impacts on nearby communities. (March 12, 2012)
Reproductive Health Providers Should Discuss Environmental Exposure Risks with Patients
, Simple recommendations help reduce harmful exposures for women
Reproductive health providers should discuss environmental exposure risks with patients
, says lead researcher Sheela Sathyanarayana. Published study includes simple recommendations to help reduce harmful exposures for women. (March 12, 2012)
Duwamish Health Study in South Seattle to inform EPA's Final Cleanup Plan for Superfund Site
Press Release: A new project led by environmental health researchers will assess key health issues affecting people who use the Duwamish River or live nearby. Findings from the assessment will be provided to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help inform their selection of a cleanup plan for the Lower Duwamish Waterway. (March 5, 2012)
Q&A with Shirley A.A. Beresford
Professor Shirley Beresford is well known for her work in obesity prevention, partnering with workplaces to improve the diets of working adults. On March 12, she will discuss how socioeconomic status affects the far-reaching health choices that people make. (March 2, 2012)
Visit Day Scheduled for March 16, 2012
We will hold an MHA Visit Day for prospective students on March 16. This invitation-only event is for applicants to the day program who have received an offer of admission for Autumn 2012. Notifications of acceptance will be communicated February 24-29. (February 10, 2012)
2011
United Health Foundation Looks at the Nation's Health
How healthy are we as a nation in 2011? The news varies state to state, but Washington has slipped from 11th to 15th in one year. See what United Health Foundation's survey says and what some of our researchers say about such rankings. (December 27, 2011)
New Center Launched for Women, Teens, and Kids
December 8 saw the launch of the UW's Global Center for Integrated Health of Women, Adolescents and Children (Global WACh), under the direction of Grace John-Stewart, professor of epidemiology, global health, and pediatrics. (December 13, 2011)
Q&A: Sverre Vedal
Join us in T-625 on December 12 at 3:30 when professor Sverre Vedal (DEOHS) delivers the Fall 2011 Distinguished Faculty Lecture. You can learn about his research—and why he loves it—in our Q&A. (December 5, 2011)
Sophie Godley Wins Public Health Teaching Award
Sophie Godley (MPH, HServ, '99), has won the 2011 ASPH/Pfizer Early Career in Public Health Teaching Award. Sophie is clinical assistant professor and director of undergraduate education at Boston University's School of Public Health. (November 30, 2011)
New Biostatistical Collaboration for SPH & Hopkins
The SPH Department of Biostatistics and the Center for Inherited Disease Research (CIDR) at Johns Hopkins have joined forces to provide critical support for the interpretation of genetic data. (November 11, 2011)
Health Services Faculty Members Rachel Ceballos and Ranak Trivedi Receive Career Development Awards
Health Services faculty members Rachel Ceballos and Ranak Trivedi have recently received substantial awards to support the growth of their research careers. (October 26, 2011)
UW Executive MHA Program Open House
Join us on Tuesday, November 29 to learn about the UW Executive MHA Program. Meet the director, key staff, and students. (October 24, 2011)
Two UW Public Health Researchers Win NIH Early Independence Awards
In an extraordinary feat of recognition, the NIH has awarded Early Independence Awards to not just one, but two SPH researchers: Biostat's Daniela Witten and Epidemiology PhD candidate Nicole Basta. (September 30, 2011)
HPRC Depression Management Program PEARLS Receives APHA Archstone Award
PEARLS has been selected as the Award Winner of the 2011 Archstone Foundation Award for Excellence in Program Innovation. Dr. Mark Snowden will receive the award on behalf of PEARLS at the 139th APHA Annual Meeting in Washington, DC, in November. (September 15, 2011)
Keeping Medicines Safe in a Global Economy
In an August 31 opinion piece in The Scientist, Epidemiology and Global Health professor Andy Stergachis writes about the need for increased scrutiny as drugs and vaccines go global. Join us for a Q&A session with Dr. Stergachis. (September 13, 2011)
HPRC research scientist Steinman received the APHA Zimmer Award for new investigators
Lesley Steinman, MSW, MPH, received the 2011 Zimmer award for new investigators. Steinman is a research scientist at the UW Health Promotion Research Center (HPRC), where her work focuses on the Program to Encourage Active, Rewarding Lives (PEARLS). (September 6, 2011)
In Memory of CJ Taylor
The friends, faculty, staff, students, and alumni of the UW School of Public Health extend their condolences to Bob Day, dean of the School from 1972-1982, and his family on the passing of his wife, CJ Taylor, founder of the Puget Sound affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. See more (August 16, 2011)
2011 DEOHS Award Winners
William Daniell, Joel Kaufman, Eric Vigoren, Zachariah Guerrette, Anna Schmidt, Stephanie Chan, Kendra Broadwater and 2011 SoPHy Awards Celebration. (July 25, 2011)
EPC Clearinghouse Receives Award for Excellence in Publication, June 2011
The Environmental and Policy Change (EPC) Clearinghouse received an Award for Excellence in Publication from APEX Awards. (June 30, 2011)
Dr. Bonnie Duran to speak at IOM Roundtable on the Promotion of Health Equity and the Elimination of Health Disparities.
Dr. Bonnie Duran will speak at an Institute of Medicine Roundtable on the Promotion of Health Equity and the Elimination of Health Disparities November 7, 2011 in Detroit, MI. (June 15, 2011)
Life expectancy in most US counties falls behind world's healthiest nations
While people in Japan, Canada, and other nations are enjoying significant gains in life expectancy every year, residents in most counties in the US are falling behind, according to a new IHME study. (June 15, 2011)
UW Health Promotion Research Center Recognized for Its Community Partnerships, April 2011
Working closely with community partners in university research is a core value of the University of Washington Health Promotion Research Center (HPRC). In April 2011, HPRC received national recognition for that commitment. (April 25, 2011)
Presentation by the Lewin Group, Center for Comparative Effectiveness Research
"Comparative Effectiveness Research, Personalized Medicine, and Health Reform: A View from the Other Washington" and "Ingenix Data Assets and Resources" (April 13, 2011)
Department of Health Services Annual Research Meeting
June 15, 2011.
A showcase for the diverse research conducted by the Department of Health Services faculty, students, and staff (March 21, 2011)
You're Invited!
The entire School community is invited to an All Hands Meeting on April 1, from 1:00 to 2:30 PM in Hogness Auditorium. Dean Howard Frumkin will speak on the State of the School and formally launch the Strategic Planning Process. Reception to follow. (March 18, 2011)
Nominations Open for 2011 Service Award for Community Partners
The UW School of Public Health and the Student Public Health Association (SPHA) are seeking nominations for the fifth annual Service Award for Community Partners. (March 4, 2011)
2010
Professor Thomas Norris, MD, receives John G. Walsh award
Professor Thomas Norris, MD, has received the 2010 John G. Walsh award from the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). (December 8, 2010)
Statement From Dean Howard Frumkin Concerning Inclement Weather of November 22
(November 22, 2010)
MRSA exposure for firefighters, medics greater than for general public: UW study
Firefighters and medics may be, perhaps not surprisingly, at a higher risk for carrying methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) than the average person, according to results from a new study conducted by Marilyn Roberts, a University of Washington professor of environmental and occupational health sciences. Roberts, a microbiologist, recently conducted the first-ever environmental health study on MRSA in Northwest fire stations and on fire personnel to determine the extent of related contamination. (November 18, 2010)
Checking Our Pulse: Health and Healers in the African American Community
Three SPH faculty are among 100 healthcare professionals featured in a new exhibit at the Northwest African American Museum: Checking our Pulse, running now through June, 2011. (photo courtesy of the Mary Mahoney Professional Nurses Organization) (November 9, 2010)
UW's Harris Recognized by ACS for Health Promotion Efforts, Sept. 30, 2011
Dr. Jeffrey R. Harris, professor of Health Services, University of Washington School of Public Health, received the American Cancer Society's Stay Well Award to acknowledge his community service in health promotion, advocacy, and fund-raising. (October 5, 2010)
Executive MHA student, Kate Cross, receives 2010 Margaret Geering Award
Executive MHA student, Kate Cross, was awarded the 2010 Margaret Geering Award at the Washington Association of Medical Staff Services (WAMSS) Annual Meeting. Kate is Medical Staff Coordinator/Regional Lead for Kindred Hospital in Seattle. (October 1, 2010)
Howard Frumkin Named New Dean of Public Health
Provost Phyllis Wise has named Howard Frumkin, MD, as the new dean of the School of Public Health. He will succeed current Dean Patricia Wahl, who is stepping down after 11 years of service as Dean. Frumkin was previously at the Centers for Disease Control. (June 29, 2010)
Dr. Edward Walker Receives Outstanding Teaching Award
On Friday, June 11, Edward A. Walker, MD, MHA, received the Outstanding Teaching Award at the UW School of Public Health's graduation ceremony. (June 23, 2010)
Chris Elias Wins 2010 Distinguished Alumni Award
Congratulations to Chris Elias, President and CEO of Seattle-based PATH and the School's 2010 Distinguished Alumnus. (June 22, 2010)
HPRC Works with Public Health - Seattle & King County to Reduce Obesity and Tobacco Use, June 2010
The Health Promotion Research Center (HPRC) is partnering with Public Health – Seattle & King County (PHSKC) in its efforts to reduce obesity and tobacco use. (June 10, 2010)
MHA Alumnus selected as Harborview's Manager of the Year
At a ceremony at Harborview Medical Center on May 4, it was announced that Bahaa Wanly, MHA, 2006, has been selected as Harborview's Manager of the Year. (May 24, 2010)
Gerry Pollet and Heart of America Northwest Win 4th Annual Service Award For Community Partners
Gerry Pollet and Heart of America Northwest were given the School's 4th annual Service Award for Community Partners for their service on behalf of the public's health. (May 13, 2010)
Michelle Williams Gives The Spring 2010 Distinguished Faculty Lecture
Join us at 3:30 PM, May 13, in T-747 as Dr. Michelle Williams presents the Spring 2010 Distinguished Faculty Lecture: Biomedical, Social, and Environmental Determinants of Reproductive Health: A Changing Landscape. (May 5, 2010)
Student Public Health Association Seeking Award Nominees
SPHA invites nominations from SPH students for Outstanding Mentor and Teacher and from faculty, staff, and students for Outstanding Teaching Assistant and Student Community Service Awards. (Above, Patrick Heagerty receives the 2009 Outstanding Teaching Award from Biostat Chair Bruce Weir.) (April 22, 2010)
UW Executive MHA Student Receives Leadership Award
UW Executive MHA student, Jo-Ellen Callahan, is the 2009 Group Health Cooperative (GHC) recipient of the Carla A. Bush Endowed Fund for Inspired Delivery System Leadership award. (April 13, 2010)
UW MHA Program Director Coaches Case Competition Team to Success
In February, Will Welton, DrPH, MHA, Director of the UW Master of Health Administration (MHA) Program, coached a team of MHA and MBA students in the first annual Leadership in Healthcare Case Competition hosted by Emory University's Goizueta Business School. The team came in second out of twelve total teams. (April 11, 2010)
Nominations Open for 2010 Service Award for Community Partners
The UW School of Public Health and the Student Public Health Association (SPHA) are seeking nominations for the fourth annual Service Award for Community Partners. (March 12, 2010)
Poll shows Washington voters willing to pay higher taxes to ensure health care
SPH students Sara Vaezy and Lauren Carr analyzed data from a poll of Washington voters on raising taxes to provide health insurance. (February 26, 2010)
Austin Ross Named To Health Care Hall of Fame
Austin Ross, professor emeritus of Health Services, was inducted into Modern Healthcare's Hall of Fame on March 21, along with the late Senator Ted Kennedy. (February 22, 2010)
Lucia Costa To Deliver Winter 2010 Distinguished Faculty Lecture
Join us on February 10, 2010 as Dr. Lucio Costa presents the Winter 2010 Distinguished Faculty Lecture: My (First) 30 Years in Neurotoxicology. (February 1, 2010)
2009
IHME Post-Bachelor Fellows creating a new generation of “skeptical optimists”
The Lancet publishes IHME Fellows' blueprint for tackling global health problems. (November 24, 2009)
Distinguished Faculty Lecturer Will Discuss Maternal HIV Transmission
On December 1, World AIDS Day, Dr. Grace John-Stewart will present the SPH Fall 2009 Distinguished Faculty Lecture / SOM Science in Medicine Lecture: Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV-1: From Discovery to Delivery. (November 5, 2009)
At The Podium: Gloyd, Breslow Lecturers Slated for November
Clarice Weinberg, Chief, Biostatistics Branch, NIEHS, will give the Breslow Lecture on November 5. (October 23, 2009)
UW PhD Program Director Diane Martin at 2009 APHA Conference
Diane Martin, Director of MS and PhD Programs, will be at this year's APHA conference in Philadelphia, PA, from November 7-11, 2009. If you would like to meet Diane at the conference, please contact her beforehand at dianemar@uw.edu (September 9, 2009)
School of Public Health Nets $1.7 Million in Stimulus Grants
Parkinson's disease, Chlamydia trachomatis, HPV in young men, and research for minority undergrads are among SPH's research awards through the federal Stimulus Package. (August 21, 2009)
Alumna Harriet Dumba Honored by Seattle Storm
Alumna Harriet Dumba was honored by the Seattle Storm on "Women of Inspiration" night. (August 17, 2009)
Fogarty International Clinical Research Scholars & Fellows Program: 2009 Recipients
Kristin Beima-Sofie, doctoral student in Public Health Genetics, has been named a Fogarty Scholar. (August 12, 2009)
Ulrike Peters One of Two Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Scientists Receiving Presidential Awards
Research Associate Professor of Epidemiology Ulrike Peters is the recipient of a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers. (July 9, 2009)
APEX Award
The journal Northwest Public Health won an award of excellence for its issue on climate change. (June 29, 2009)
Congratulations to this year's award winners.
Winners of this year's awards were honored at the School's annual Awards Ceremony and Graduation Celebration on June 12, 2009. (June 12, 2009)
Rory Murphy Wins GPA Award
Rory Murphy has been selected to receive the first annual Graduate Program Assistant Service Award. (June 1, 2009)
Fred Rivara, Injury Prevention Expert, To Receive 2009 Distinguished Alumni Award
Frederick Rivara, MD, MPH will receive the School's 2009 Distinguished Alumni Award on June 12 during our annual Awards Ceremony and Graduation Celebration. (May 13, 2009)
Distinguished Faculty Lecture - Spring 2009
Tom Wickizer will deliver the Spring 2009 Distinguished Faculty Lecture. (April 30, 2009)
Alison Eisinger and Scott Morrow Win School of Public Health Service Award for Community Partners
Alison Eisinger and Scott Morris will receive this year's Service Award for Community Partners. (April 22, 2009)
New Alliance to Help Design New Drug Treatments
The Department of Biostatistics and GlaxoSmithKline form an alliance to design new drug treatments. (March 17, 2009)
Nominations Sought For Community Partner Service Award
The UW School of Public Health (SPH) and the Student Public Health Association (SPHA) are seeking nominations for the third annual Service Award for Community Partners. (February 27, 2009)
Tom Fleming Gives Winter 2009 Distinguished Faculty Lecture
Tom Fleming, Professor of Biostatistics and Statistics, will deliver the Winter Quarter Distinguished Faculty Lecture at 3:30 PM on Thursday, February 26, 2009 in T-639 Health Sciences Center. (February 5, 2009)
2008
Professor Adam Drewnowski is the Fall 2008 Distinguished Faculty Lecturer
(November 6, 2008)
Leading Biostatistician Sir David Cox Gives 2008 Breslow Lecture
(October 8, 2008)
SPHCM Student Wins Bullitt Environmental Prize
Clarita Lefthand, a Ph.D. student in the School's Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, has been awarded the prestigious Bullitt Environmental Prize for 2008. (August 29, 2008)
Deanna Kepka Selected as APHA Maternal and Child Fellow
PhD student Deanna Kepka has been selected as an American Public Health Association Maternal and Child Health Section Fellow. (August 28, 2008)
Bullitt Environmental Prize
Clarita Lefthand, PhD candidate in DEOHS, will receive the second annual Bullitt Environmental Prize awarded to an outstanding graduate student with demonstrated promise of emerging as an environmental leader. (August 22, 2008)
Kenneth Sherr Wins Young Investigator Award at AIDS Conference
Kenneth Sherr won a Young Investigator Award at the Global AIDS Conference in Mexico City. (August 11, 2008)
Faculty, students, and staff win School-wide awards.
Faculty, students, and staff win School-wide awards. (July 9, 2008)
Newest results of Health Technology Assessment Committee in the Seattle Times
Washington's Health Technology Assessment program is weighing scientific evidence for various medical procedures to determine whether they merit coverage by state agencies. An 11-member citizens group , including Carson Odegard and Karen Anderson (both ExDP alumni), already has ruled against covering upright MRIs; discography for diagnosing back pain; and CT, or "virtual," colonoscopy. (July 8, 2008)
Ward Hinds' address to 2008 graduates
Ward Hinds, 2008 winner of the Distinguished Alumni Award, spoke at the annual Graduation Celebration. (June 20, 2008)
Recipients Chosen for 2008-09 Thomas Francis Jr. Global Health Fellowships
Eight outstanding University of Washington students from a variety of disciplines are the first recipients of the Thomas Francis Jr., Global Health Fund Endowed Student Fellowship. The fellowship promotes global health by providing financial assistance to students doing problem-solving practica in other cultures, usually developing countries. (June 19, 2008)
Health Services now has new space in the UW Tower
The Department of Health Services has gained new office space in the UW Tower building. (June 11, 2008)
Public Health-Seattle & King County Wins the School's 2008 Service Award for Community Partners
Public Health-Seattle & King County Wins 2008 Service Award for Community Partners. (May 12, 2008)
Ward Hinds Chosen 2008 Distinguished Alumnus
Ward Hinds, MD was selected by the SPHCM Alumni Advisory Board to receive the School's 2008 Distinguished Alumni Award. (May 12, 2008)
Podcast of 2008 Gloyd Lecture Available
The podcast of the 2008 Gloyd Lecture is now available. (May 7, 2008)
UW President Emmert is Given a Certificate of Appreciation
The Extended Degree Program, School of Public Health and Washington State Public Health Association thanked President Emmert on Tuesday, April 8th, for the vision that helped lead to the maximization of the UW Public Health Major. (April 8, 2008)
Courtney Rees Named School's 2008-09 Magnuson Scholar
Health Services Doctoral Student Courtney Rees was recently named the School's 2008-09 Magnuson Scholar. (March 27, 2008)
UW study suggests comprehensive sex education reduces teen pregnancies
A recently published study by researchers from the School of Public Health and Community medicine questions the effectiveness of abstinence only sex education. (March 20, 2008)
Nominations Open for 2nd Annual Service Award for Community Partners
Nominate an individual, group, or organization that has increased the School's impact in the community for the School's Service Award for Community Partners. (March 14, 2008)
We're proud to announce the 2007 winners: Diana Hull and Keith Higman
Please join ExDP is congratulating Diana Hull and Keith Higman on a job well done! (March 13, 2008)
Noah Seixas Gives Winter Quarter Distinguished Faculty Lecture
On February 26, Noah Seixas, Professor of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, gave the Winter Quarter Distinguished Faculty Lecture. His talk was titled "Occupational Exposure Assessment and the Evolution of Work Organization." If you missed it, look at the slides while listing to a podcast of the lecture. And read more about his work in the latest Spotlight on Research. (February 27, 2008)
Norm Breslow Honored by Three Universities
Norm Breslow, Professor of Biostatistics, has been named recipient of the 2008 Zelen Award from the Department of Biostatistics at Harvard University, the 2008 Greenberg Lecturer in the Department of Biostatistics at the University of North Carolina, and winner of the 2008 Callaert Leadership Award in Biostatistical Education and Dissemination from Universiteit Hasselt, Belgium. (February 27, 2008)
