State Sen. Jo Comerford to Headline Fall 2021 SPHHS Dean’s Seminar Series

The School of Public Health and Health Sciences (SPHHS) has announced its Dean’s Seminar lineup for the Fall 2021 semester with talks from state and community leaders and SPHHS faculty members.

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Headlining the fall series will be a talk on Tuesday, Oct. 26 from State Sen. Jo Comerford on the importance of state action to eliminate health inequities. Comerford will present information on the Health Equity at All Levels in Government (HEALING) Act legislation she is co-sponsoring with state representative Liz Miranda, and address how we, as current and future public health and health sciences leaders, can advocate for action to address health inequities in the communities that we work, live and play in.

The talk will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. on Oct. 26 in a virtual-only format. It is open to the general public, however, pre-registration is requested.

Comerford represents the Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester district in the state Senate. She chairs the Joint Committee on Public Health, which passed numerous bills into law including a strongest in the nation flavored vaping and menthol tobacco products ban, a ban on toxic flame-retardant chemicals in certain products, reform of the states’ mosquito control law, as well as laws to strengthen local public health and examine racial disparities in maternal health. Now in her second session in the State Senate, Comerford also chairs a newly formed Joint Committee on COVID-19 and Emergency Preparedness and Management.

“I am delighted that Senator Comerford has accepted this invitation to speak to our community concerning a very important public health topic that is at the core of our mission,” says Dean Anna Maria Siega-Riz. “Racism is a public health issue. We need to acknowledge it and accept that it has permeated all sectors of society including the social determinants of health for far too long. Increasing our understanding of this issue and how the government can implement change and be held accountable is what this seminar will be about. I look forward to seeing you all there.”

The Fall ’21 Series kicked off on Sept. 21 with research professor of epidemiology Rachel Volberg delivering a talk titled “Monitoring Casino Impacts in Massachusetts: Honing Strategies and Preventing Harm.”

Future seminars will highlight ongoing research being conducted by current SPHHS faculty members Kathryn Derose (Nov. 2) and Elizabeth Evans (Nov. 16). The Fall ’21 Series will close with a special seminar event featuring community health education alumnus Frank Robinson, Ph.D. ’94, presented in conjunction with the SPHHS Anti-Racism Task Force (December, date TBD).

About the Dean’s Seminar Series:

The Dean’s Seminar Series provides opportunities for SPHHS students, faculty, and staff to engage SPHHS faculty members - along with invited presenters including community and state leaders, nationally recognized scholars, and exceptional alumni - on a variety of scientific topics representing the wide range of disciplines found within public health and health sciences. They are presented in an effort to engage all types of listeners from all different experiences and backgrounds.

For more information, contact Carey Simos at csimos@schoolph.umass.edu.