Dean's Message - January 2024
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Happy New Year! I trust this message finds our SPHHS community rejuvenated and brimming with optimism as we kick off the spring semester. It's heartening to witness the dedication of our faculty and staff as they conduct their research endeavors and engage in projects that enrich our higher education environment with such renewed vigor.
In January, a select group of graduate SPHHS students, accompanied by Risa Silverman, embarked on an enlightening journey to Boston for the two-day Student Health Policy Forum, organized by the Massachusetts Health Policy Forum at Brandeis University. From meetings with legislative leaders at the MA statehouse to discussions with state agencies on public health strategies, this whirlwind experience leaves our students invigorated and ready to apply their newfound insights to their academic pursuits.
Equally commendable is the new collaboration between our faculty and the MA Department of Public Health (DPH). This SPHHS partnership with DPH involves analyzing data from the state’s warehouse to study involuntary civil commitment to treatment for opioid use disorder — a significant policy issue in combating opioid and alcohol use disorder. Drs. Linnea Evans and Liz Evans, alongside Baystate clinicians Peter Friedmann and Ben Bovell-Ammon, lead this vital initiative.
On the educational front, our Teaching Fellow, Eliza Frechette, together with associate deans Drs. Gloria DiFulvio and Katherine Reeves, have curated the SPHHS Teaching Academy’s inaugural workshop series on "Empathetic Rigor: Transforming Teaching Strategies" (scheduled for 1/30 & 2/26). This initiative, addressing concerns raised by both students and faculty, reflects our commitment to continuous improvement in teaching practices.
Moreover, I encourage you to explore the Chancellor’s Community, Democracy, and Dialogue initiatives, as outlined in Dr. Nefertiti Walker's recent email. Events will be shared on the Office of Equity and Inclusion website, including upcoming virtual dialogue events across the UMass system. One such event, "Coming Together Across Difference: Finding Common Ground Across Identities and Political Divides," is scheduled for Tuesday, February 13, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Furthermore, February is Black History Month; Dr. Rodmon King’s message contains information on events to celebrate the rich history and achievements of Blacks in America. Let's actively engage in these opportunities to foster meaningful dialogue and community growth.
Wishing you all a productive and inspiring semester ahead. Let's continue to embrace new ideas and initiatives that elevate our collective experience within SPHHS.