Annual Report Magazine 2010 by OSUPublicHealth

THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF PUBLIC HEALTH | 2010

Annual Report M A G A Z I N E

Global Significance. Local Impact.

Mission We protect and improve the health of the people of Ohio, the nation and the world. Through interdisciplinary research, we seek to understand the forces that affect public health and the delivery of health services. We prepare the next generation of public health practitioners, health care managers and scholars. Collaborating with government agencies and other partners, we develop solutions to current and emerging public health problems.

Vision We aspire to be a leader in public health research and education with local impact and global significance.

Values Equity We believe in the fundamental fairness of a healthy world. All people should have an environment that optimizes health, access to affordable and high-quality health care, awareness of personal choices for improving health, and opportunities to help improve the health of our communities. Ethics We maintain high levels of academic and scientific integrity, conduct research that protects the rights and welfare of all study participants, and create an inclusive environment that supports our faculty, staff, students and constituents. Excellence We pursue innovative research that is scientifically rigorous and relevant. We are committed to providing a high-quality learning experience and the tools to enable students to meet future challenges. We value dedicated service and leadership that helps individuals and communities live healthier lives. Diversity We celebrate the richness that diversity brings to our society and work to create a welcoming culture that respects all forms of diversity. We are committed to increasing the diversity of our students, faculty, and staff and to equipping all our graduates to contribute effectively to a diverse public health workforce.

ANNUAL REPORT | 2010

Table of contents

Editorial Staff Christine O’Malley, Executive Director Wendy Pramik, Communications Coordinator Publication design by The Drawing Room College of Public Health Home Page: http://cph.osu.edu

Dean’s Message

Progress Report

Research: Warning system for water quality inadequate

Research News and Selected Projects

Teaching and Learning: MPH student cultivates therapeutic garden

Teaching and Learning News

Engagement and Outreach: PRC asks public to share opinions on research

Engagement and Outreach News

Faculty Feature: Liang studies lakes, streams in rural villages

Faculty News

Alumni Spotlight

Alumni News

Development

By the Numbers

“Global Significance. Local Impact.” All photo credits are from University Photography or CPH Communications except: p. 7, Amy Ferketich; p. 14, Chris Volpe; p.22, Amy Lee and Alan H Channing; p. 23, Amy Thaci. The CPH Annual Report Magazine is published annually every fall by Ohio State’s College of Public Health. This is the sixth issue. Copyright 2010. Permission to reprint any portion must be obtained from the college. Contact: College of Public Health Communications Office, 320 W. 10th Ave., Starling-Loving M116, Columbus OH 43210. Phone: (614) 293-9406.

THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF PUBLIC HEALTH

DEAN’S MESSAGE

Commitment and trust The fact that you are reading this magazine indicates that you have an interest in public health, and I’m sure that you don’t hesitate to help out a family member, a friend or a neighbor. People who work in public health strive to help whole communities with the things they do every day. They try to help people live better, happier, healthier lives. That’s a truly noble calling, and I applaud that commitment of our faculty, staff, and students, as well as the many professionals in Ohio working for state and local health departments. We in the College of Public Health are committed to providing the next generation of public health professionals with the best preparation possible for improving people’s lives. That was our motivation to become Ohio’s first and only accredited college of public health (page 3). That’s why we are so excited to be able to renovate Cunz Hall as the future home of public health at Ohio State (page 3). That’s why we have continued to recruit top faculty, to pursue significant research, to offer the most timely and challenging courses. That’s why we partner with our state and local public health agencies on initiatives like H1N1 and Farmers’ Markets (page 17). 2

In addition to our commitment to educate our students, we also know we have a commitment to the general public. In this magazine, you will read about a warning system for swimmers (page 4), the impact of smoking bans on businesses (page 8), and our faculty serving on government task forces related to the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico (page 19). People trust our academic institutions to explore knowledge and represent these discoveries objectively. I believe this is why our Netwellness.org web site for health consumers is one of the most trusted sources of information (page 16). You can be sure that we won’t squander that trust. I believe it is this trust that motivated alumna Liz Burkett and her husband Brian to offer the fundraising challenge described in this issue (page 24). Brian and Liz, an MPH alumna from the Class of 2007, have pledged to give $25,000 toward student scholarships by 2012. She is challenging all alumni to give a total of $25,000 in new and additional gifts by 2012 to selected funds. If each alumnus increases his or her annual gift by $25, we will make this goal. Thank you, Liz, for that commitment to the college, to the next generation of students, and to public health. Enjoy the magazine, and GO BUCKS!

Dean Stanley Lemeshow

ANNUAL REPORT | 2010

PROGRESS REPORT

College, MHA degree program receive full accreditation The College of Public Health has received a full seven years of reaccreditation by the Council on the Education for Public Health (CEPH). In addition, the college’s Master of Health Administration program received the full seven-year accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME). Ohio State is the only institution statewide to have an accredited college of public health. This designation reflects a high quality of specialized educational programming in public health. This status also provides benefits for students and alumni. Some employment and fellowships are only open to graduates of accredited public health schools or programs. In addition, the national credentialing exam for individuals with a graduate degree in public health is offered only to graduates of accredited programs and schools. Full accreditation also enables the college to pursue certain grants and projects, such as the college’s new Prevention Research Center. In the CAHME accreditation, the review team awarded the college’s MHA program the highest marks possible in 49 of 50 criteria assessment areas. CAHME evaluates graduate healthcare management education in a voluntary peer review process.

More sunlight will enter the new version of Cunz Hall via a slot on the south side of the building.

Cunz construction underway The College of Public Health’s future home is under construction and on schedule. Demolition was completed, and construction started in May. The Cunz Hall project is the university’s first renovation to be a LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) building. This certification incorporates many energyefficient and sustainable strategies. The minimum recycling goal for silver level certification is to reuse or recycle 75 percent of the building’s shell and materials. Our demolition process, which ended in March, was able to achieve over 90 percent recycling and reuse. Major renovations to the building include cutting a slot into the south side of the building, removing portions of the north facade and adding glass-enclosed external stairs to both sides. The college expects to move in by fall quarter 2011.Follow the progress in our Cunz Hall blog at http://cph.osu.edu/ cunzblog/.

Rain Garden selected as class gift The Ohio State University’s Class of 2010 chose the Cunz Hall Rain Garden as its class gift, meeting the students’ desire to bequeath a “green” item to the university. The garden is part of the renovation

project creating a new home in Cunz Hall for the College of Public Health. The rain garden, which will be located within an existing traffic circle just south of Cunz Hall, will contain a concrete walking path, a grove of cypress trees and a natural draining system for rain water that uses native Ohio plants and soil. As of press time, total donations are $14,900. The rain garden will capture storm-water runoff rather than discharging rain water to the Olentangy River.

2010 Champions of Public Health The College of Public Health initiated the Champions of Public Health awards in 2005 to recognize individuals and organizations who have improved the health of Ohioans. The awards call attention to those who work to make our lives better. Winners of the 2010 awards are: • Neil Altman, health commissioner, Youngstown City Health District, in the Public Health Practitioner category. • Cathy Levine, executive director, Universal Health Care Action Network of Ohio, in the Community Leader category. • Healthy Tusc Taskforce, in the organization category. For more about the winners, visit our web site at http://cph.osu.edu.

THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF PUBLIC HEALTH

RESEARCH

Dirty water?

Warning system inadequate to prevent swimmers from getting sick at inland lakes By Emily Caldwell, Research Communications A family arrives at the beach at East Fork State Park in southwestern Ohio. 4

New College of Public Health research shows a clear link between increasing levels of E. coli bacteria in an inland Ohio lake and a greater risk that swimmers in the water will suffer a gastrointestinal illness. Doctoral student Jason Marion is lead author of the paper, and Tim Buckley, associate professor and chair of the Division of Environmental Health Sciences, is the senior author. Their research is among few studies to have quantified the risk for illness at an inland beach. Most similar work has examined the Great Lakes or coastal waters. The testing method that measures E. coli levels at beaches takes at least 18 hours, and usually longer, to produce a result. So any swimming advisory based on that information is posted at least a day too late. The researchers say their work calls attention to the need for a reliable method to predict when bacteria levels are likely to be higher than the current standard at an inland lake so advisories can be posted

in a more timely way. “It doesn't help, from a public health perspective, for the testing results to reveal themselves 24 hours after exposure has occurred,” Buckley said. “I think there's really a critical need for predictive methods, which allow us to anticipate, rather than to know after the fact, when E. coli levels will be elevated.” Such predictors of E. coli problems at inland lakes might be on the horizon. Marion hopes to identify reliable predictors that can be easily and quickly measured to allow advance warnings to beachgoers when risks for illness are increased. Buckley and Marion emphasize that this work is not intended to discourage recreation at inland lakes, but is instead focused on preventing illness among beachgoers when water quality conditions are not ideal. “We need a better way of telling swimmers when they are at risk,” Marion said. The study appeared in the September issue of the journal Water Research.

E. coli in water is considered an indicator of the presence of fecal contamination from warm-blooded animals. Most strains of the bacteria Escherichia coli do not cause illness in humans, but the bacteria's presence is an indicator that other pathogens are in the water as well. At Ohio state parks, E. coli levels are tested in inland lakes every 14 days. If the level exceeds 235 colony-forming units (CFUs) per 100 milliliters of water, officials will post an advisory the next day recommending against swimming, wading or playing in the lakes. Testing is conducted more frequently once this threshold has been reached, and advisories are removed once the levels drop. In this study, the researchers collected 26 water samples at East Fork State Park in southwestern Ohio over 13 summer weekends in 2009. They also questioned people at the lake each weekend about their beach activities, and followed up with them by phone several days later to collect reports of any gastrointestinal

ANNUAL REPORT | 2010

Ohio State students James Rosenblum (left) and Matthew Farley (center) interview a beach goer at East Fork State Park.

symptoms associated with their time at the lake. A total of 300 households representing 965 individuals completed the entire survey process. On two of the 26 sample days, E. coli densities exceeded the advisory threshold, with readings of 1,538 and 487 CFUs per 100 mL. The average bacteria level for the entire study period was 9.1 CFUs per 100 mL. The odds were 3.2 times higher of reporting a gastrointestinal illness – most commonly diarrhea, vomiting and nausea but also including stomach pain and fever – for those who swam, played or waded than for those who didn’t. The statistical analysis showed that swimmers on days when E. coli levels were higher were at least seven times more likely to have reported illness than were swimmers on days with the lowest E. coli readings. “If we can extrapolate these results, there's a fair number of Ohioans being sickened by contact with recreational water across the state,” Buckley said. “In

addition to a better system to prevent illness, we'd like to see more emphasis on protecting lakes from becoming contaminated in the first place.” Marion noted that the two days with significantly higher E. coli readings followed extremely heavy rains in the area and subsequent dramatic elevations in water levels in the streams feeding into the lake. This suggests that contaminating substances from rural areas and population centers could have been entering the water more quickly and at higher concentrations than usual. Such a connection suggests that one way to anticipate elevated E. coli levels in lakes would be to monitor rainfall and the related water level changes in tributaries to determine whether these conditions consistently affect lake water quality, he said. The primary causes of E. coli contamination in inland waters are animal agriculture, nuisance wildlife, failing home septic systems or municipal wastewater treatment systems, and contamination from swimmers, Marion said.

This research is part of Ohio State's Targeted Investment in Excellence program in public health preparedness for infectious diseases (PHPID). It was supported by a grant from the Ohio Water Development Authority and a PHPID program fellowship. Additional co-authors include Jiyoung Lee, assistant professor in the college’s Division of Environmental Health Sciences and the Department of Food Science & Technology, and Stanley Lemeshow, biostatistics professor and dean of the College of Public Health. n

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RESEARCH NEWS

Steinman shares data at family violence forums

The Health Policy Institute of Ohio (HPIO) held five regional forums in April to discuss county-level findings on family violence in Ohio. Kenneth Steinman, clinical assistant professor in the Division of Health Behavior and Health Promotion, directs the Ohio Family Violence Prevention Project, a collaboration between the college and HPIO. Each forum presented data on intimate partner violence, child abuse and neglect, and elder abuse and neglect, and provided training to those interested in using the information to build support for prevention. Participants learned how to access the data for each county in Ohio and how to use this information when writing grants, as well how to educate government and community leaders. “Many government leaders do not recognize that family violence is common and consequential yet can be prevented,” said Steinman. “Through these forums, we are enabling practitioners to use data to improve program planning and evaluation and to educate others.”

CPH faculty study disparities in disease burden of Appalachia Public health research investigating why people in Appalachia Ohio shoulder a heavier cancer burden than others is benefitting from a $10 million grant from the National Institutes of Health. Electra Paskett, professor in the Division of Epidemiology and professor of cancer research in the College of Medicine, Christopher Weghorst, professor in the Division of Environmental Health

Kenneth Steinman discusses the importance of sharing family violence data with public health professionals.

Sciences, and Mary Ellen Wewers, professor in the Division of Health Behavior and Health Promotion, will each play a major role in the newly funded research that addresses inequities associated with the two leading causes of death in the United States -- cancer and heart disease. Paskett is the lead investigator of one of four projects focused on reducing cervical cancer in Appalachia. “We want to understand why cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates are higher in Appalachian regions in Ohio and West Virginia,” Paskett said. Weghorst will look at the genetic contributions to invasive cervical cancer, and Wewers will examine the social networks of women who smoke compared to those who do not in order to develop interventions to reduce tobacco use. The fourth project, led by an epidemiologist at the University of Michigan, will examine how the immune system may affect HPV vaccine efficacy.

Brain tumor growth linked to immune function genes Judith Schwartzbaum, associate professor in the Division of Epidemiology, is the lead author of a study that links pro-

gression of a lethal type of brain tumor with reduced expression of more than 600 immune system genes. This suggests the complexity of the immune response to the cancer and the resulting difficulty in targeting specific immune system proteins for treatment. Previous research found that people with allergies were less likely to be diagnosed with this type of brain cancer, called glioblastoma multiforme. However, it was not clear whether allergies reduce brain tumor risk or whether the growing tumor “cures” allergies. Schwartzbaum’s research team found that allergy genes were not the only immune function genes suppressed during tumor growth. The genes’ activity was decreased as the brain tumors progressed. “This result provides evidence that there is a relationship between glioblastoma and allergies – specifically, high tumor aggressiveness is associated with low allergy-related gene function,” said Schwartzbaum said. “But it still does not tell us whether allergies inhibit tumor growth or tumors block allergies.” The study is published in the April issue of the journal Neuro-Oncology.

ANNUAL REPORT | 2010

Pelotonia Grants support public health research Using berries to fight cancer and reducing obesity in the Appalachian region of Ohio are two public health projects benefiting from Pelotonia Idea Grants. Christopher Weghorst, professor in the Division of Environmental Health Sciences, and Electra Paskett, professor in the Division of Epidemiology and professor of cancer research in the College of Medicine, are among the 10 principal investigators at Ohio State to be awarded $50,000-$100,000 a year for two years for their great “ideas” in fighting cancer. In addition, Mira Katz, associate professor in the Division of Health Behavior and Health Promotion, is participating in Paskett’s project. The grant money comes from funds raised by Pelotonia, an annual bike ride that raises money for cancer research at Ohio State. Last year’s inaugural ride raised $4.5 million. Weghorst’s research project, will examine a food-based approach to prevention of oral cancer that emphasizes the ability of whole foods to inhibit various stages of oral cancer. Paskett’s project, aims to develop an eHealth program to increase physical activity levels and change the diets to reduce obesity among members of churches in Ohio Appalachia.

MD/MPH student receives research training award Emily Nurre, MD/MPH student, was one of four recipients of the TL1 Mentored Research Training Awards, presented by the Ohio State Center for Clinical

sive ordinances that ban smoking in workplaces, restaurants and bars. The researchers examined these laws in the Appalachian regions of Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, South Carolina and West Virginia. In an area known for its poverty and poor health, higher levels of education and lower unemployment increased the

Amy Ferketich, associate professor in the Division of Epidemiology, studied smoking bans in Appalachia.

and Translational Science. Nurre is studying amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. The disease affects upper and lower motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement.

Local approach to smoking bans not effective in Appalachia Local ordinances in Appalachian states with weak statewide smoking regulations do not offer most residents adequate protection against second-hand smoke, according to a study led by Amy Ferketich, associate professor in the Division of Epidemiology. Ferketich’s research team examined smoking-related ordinances at the community level in six Appalachian states. They concluded that efforts should be focused on enacting strong statewide clean indoor air laws rather than relying on local ordinances to make public places smoke-free in some of these states. The study showed that in 2008, fewer than 20 percent of cities and counties in these states had adopted comprehen-

likelihood that a community had passed stronger smoking restrictions. But overall, ordinances were considered weak based on analyses of the extent of public areas they covered, the severity of punishment and how they were enforced. West Virginia emerged as an outlier among these six states: More than 80 percent of its counties were covered by ordinances banning smoking in either workplaces, restaurants or bars. “A lot of people working in tobacco policy suggest that smoking ban efforts have to start in communities before moving to the state level, but we strongly believe that that is not the best model for every state,” Ferketich said. “We recommend that attempts to enact clean indoor air laws must be made on a statewide level to work. Clearly, leaving the effort to local communities does not result in a large number of strong local clean indoor air ordinances in these states.” The research appeared in the July issue of the American Journal of Public Health.

Skin color of Latino immigrants affects discrimination, study says Bo Lu, assistant professor in the Division of Biostatistics, contributed to a study that finds Latino immigrants with darker skin color are discriminated

THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF PUBLIC HEALTH

RESEARCH NEWS

against more and earn less on the job than their lighter-skinned counterparts. The study’s results also suggest that the rapid influx of Latino immigrants will shift the boundaries of race in the United States, but will not end skin-color-based discrimination. The study, which was published in the June issue of the journal American Sociological Review, was led by two sociology professors from Ohio State and the University of Illinois. Lu served as biostatistician. Lu analyzed data from the 2003 New Immigrant Survey, which interviewed immigrants age 18 and older who were granted legal permanent residency between May and November 2003. This study included data from roughly 1,500 self-identified Latinos. Importantly for the results, the survey included information, collected by the interviewers, rating the skin color of the respondents on a scale of 1 to 10 (from light to dark). Three-quarters of respondents identified themselves as white, regardless of their skin color. Lu also classified the skin color scale into four groups of comparable size and focused on the comparison between relatively lighter and darker skinned groups of respondents. Annual income was compared across matched pairs from different skin color groups. Results showed that Latino immigrants with relatively darker skin earned, on average, $2,500 less per year than those with lighter-skin.

No big change in employment under smoking ban The passage of smoking bans in two large Minnesota cities was not associated with job losses at bars and may in fact have contributed to higher employment

in restaurants, according to new research led by Elizabeth Klein, assistant professor in the Division of Health Behavior and Health Promotion. The study is the first to examine the economic effects of clean indoor air policies on bars and restaurants as independent types of businesses. The research appeared in the July/August issue of the Journal of Public Health Management Practice. In both Minneapolis and St. Paul, the policies were associated with an increase of at least 3 percent in employment at restaurants over a 2 ½-year span following adoption of a local clean indoor air policy. Employment in Minneapolis bars increased more than 5 percent after passage of that city’s smoking ban, while in St. Paul, bar employment had a nonsignificant decrease of 1 percent – a decrease that cannot be statistically distinguished from zero, or no change in employment. Opponents to smoking bans have argued against enactment of these policies with predictions of large revenue losses, worker layoffs and business closures in the hospitality industry, and at bars in particular because of known correlations between drinking and tobacco use. Proponents of such policies say smoking bans promote a healthful workplace atmosphere for workers and patrons. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, exposure to secondhand smoke increases nonsmokers’ risks of developing lung cancer, heart disease, and other illnesses. “We are evaluating business employment because employment is an objective measure of the overall economic health of these businesses.” Klein said. “ What we have found is that there isn’t a significant

economic effect for bars, and in fact for restaurants, there is some positive change in employment. These findings underscore that nothing economically catastrophic happened for bars or restaurants in the Twin Cities as a result of banning smoking in these environments.” The study was supported by a grant from ClearWay Minnesota, an independent, nonprofit organization seeking to reduce Minnesota residents’ tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke.

Lee finds link between bacteria in water, gastrointestinal tract Jiyoung Lee, assistant professor in the Division of Environmental Health Sciences, is the lead author of a study that suggests a relationship between a certain type of bacteria found in public drinking water and the same type of bacteria found in the gastrointestinal tracts of germ-free mice. Furthermore, the study finds that these bacteria, known as biofilm, may colonize in the intestinal tracts of humans, posing a potential health risk, especially to those with deficient immune systems such as cancer patients, children, elderly and pregnant women. According to Lee’s research, the biofilm originates in water that has been stagnant for a long period of time inside public distribution systems. Lee’s research is among few studies to examine the fate of these water-borne bacteria once they enter into a digestive system, especially whether the bacteria originate from the public water source and subsequently colonizes inside the gastrointestinal tract. The study, which was published in the July 2010 issue of the journal Water Research, was supported by start-up funds from the College of Public Health.

ANNUAL REPORT | 2010

Selected Projects Childhood overweight and obesity: Prospective analyses of child behavior problems as a risk factor for obesity American Heart Association – Great Rivers Affiliate Anderson, Sarah Early risk factors for obesity National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Anderson, Sarah Household routines and the development of obesity in US preschool children Economic Research Service Anderson, Sarah (ARRA) Public health traineeship program Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) Bisesi, Michael Buckeye Bluegrass Regional Leadership Academy Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) Bisesi, Michael Center for public health preparedness CDC Bisesi, Michael

CASEOhio: Childhood asthma and the school environment in Ohio Ohio Department of Health Buckley, Timothy Clinical and Translational Science Award Community Pilot National Center for Research Resources Buckley, Timothy Protecting public health at Ohio inland beaches: development of water quality indicators for recreational microbial exposure Ohio Water Development Authority Buckley, Timothy Public engagement demonstration project on pandemic influenza - rural Ohio Department of Health Buckley, Timothy Taking stock of stakeholders and existing data relevant to animal agriculture and community environmental health in Union County, Ohio Union County Commissioners Buckley, Timothy

H1N1 and the public’s response Franklin County Board of Health Bisesi, Michael

Cancer survivors’ employment patterns and consequent economic and health outcomes National Cancer Institute De Moor, Janet

Joint evaluation of local H1N1 response Association of Ohio Health Commissioners Bisesi, Michael

Cancer survivors’ intentions for work following diagnosis and treatment Lance Armstrong Foundation De Moor, Janet

NACCHO Advanced Practice Center grant Lucas County Health Department Bisesi, Michael

A study of employer-sponsored elder care programs The Retirement Research Foundation Dembe, Allard

PA & Ohio public health training center University of Pittsburgh Bisesi, Michael Public engagement follow up activity Association State and Territorial Health Officials Bisesi, Michael The Ohio State Universityersity public health traineeship HRSA Bisesi, Michael Case study environmental monitoring in support of the BREJT – Phase III Morgan State Universityersity Buckley, Timothy

Center for Clinical and Translational ScienceEvaluation National Center for Research Resources Dembe, Allard Developing a strategy for optimal utilization of pharmacologic treatment for pain management of injured workers in the state of Ohio Ohio Bureau of Worker’s Compensation (Ohio BWC) Dembe, Allard Employed Latino health initiative Access Health Columbus Dembe, Allard

Feasibility study and needs assessment: Integrating health care for high-mortality general medical conditions into everyday treatment Ohio Department of Mental Health Dembe, Allard Monitoring and evaluation of the Mansfield STD re-entry testing pilot program Ohio Department Rehabilitation & Correction Dembe, Allard Examining the effect of a provider-delivered intervention among Medicaid smokers National Cancer Institute Ferketich, Amy Ohio family health survey Health Policy Institute of Ohio Ferketich, Amy Center for injury research and policy Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital Fernandez, Soledad Emergency department brief intervention to increase carbon monoxide detector use Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital Fernandez, Soledad Center for Clinical and Translational Science – Biostatistics Core National Center for Research Resources Jarjoura, David Genetic and signaling pathways in epithelial thyroid cancer – Core C National Cancer Institute Jarjoura, David (ARRA) Patient activation to increase colon cancer screening National Cancer Institute Katz, Mira Patient activation to increase colon cancer screening National Cancer Institute Katz, Mira The black bonnet project Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Columbus Katz, Mira Center for Clinical and Translational Science - PHPID Pilot National Center for Research Resources Lee, Jiyoung

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Selected Projects Ozonation as a clean technology for environment and food industry: impact on quality of processing and waste-water Ohio Water Development Authority Lee, Jiyoung Rapid detection of viable B. fragilis in Lake Erie Ohio Lake Erie Ofc Lake Erie Protection Fund Lee, Jiyoung Genetic analysis of the breast tumor microenvironment – Core C National Cancer Institute Lemeshow, Stanley Clinical and Translational Science Award – PHPID Pilot National Center for Research Resources Li, Jianrong Methyltransferase-defective recombinant viruses as live vaccine candidates for avian metapneumovirus: a jump from theory to practice National Institute of Food & Agriculture Li, Jianrong Critical evaluation of a passive epidemiological surveillance and investigation protocol of illnesses reported by neighbors of land application sites of biosolids and other soil amendments Franklin County Board of Health Liang, Song

care settings Health Research & Educational Trust McAlearney, Ann Health literacy, technology acceptance, & on-line self-care: Understanding teens Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital McAlearney, Ann Promoting safety and quality through human resource practices Health Research & Educational Trust McAlearney, Ann A randomized controlled trial of the combination of two school-based, universal preventive interventions Johns Hopkins University Murray, David Center for prevention and early intervention Johns Hopkins University Murray, David Community youth development study University of Washington Murray, David Etiology of childhood obesity: A longitudinal study Seattle Children’s Research Institute Murray, David RCT for smoking cessation in medical schools University of Massachusetts Medical School Murray, David

The socio-environmental determinants of schistosomiasis re-emergence University of California at Berkeley Liang, Song

State-level policies, demographics and behaviors associated with youth obesity University of North Carolina Murray, David

Ohio family health survey Health Policy Institute of Ohio Lu, Bo

(ARRA) Enhancing colorectal cancer screening in primary care National Cancer Institute Paskett, Electra

Work-related injuries among immigrant workers Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital Lu, Bo (ARRA) Implementing cancer treatment measuring and reporting in office and hospital practice Mount Sinai School of Medicine McAlearney, Ann Evidence-based practices to maximize physician adoption and use of electronic health record (EHR) systems in ambulatory

A randomized study to prevent lymphedema in women treated for breast cancer Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Paskett, Electra Appalachian cancer center network University of Kentucky Paskett, Electra Breast cancer prevention through nutrition program The Breast Cancer Research Foundation Paskett, Electra

Cancer control and health outcomes committee chair support University of Chicago Paskett, Electra Cancer information service Wayne State University Paskett, Electra CBPR strategies to increase colorectal cancer screening in Ohio Appalachia National Center Minority Health & Health Disparities Paskett, Electra Cross CPHHS stress project University of Pennsylvania Paskett, Electra Enhancing colorectal cancer screening in primary care National Cancer Institute Paskett, Electra Graphical Food Frequency System (GraFFS) validity study - The Foods We Eat study Viocare, Inc. Paskett, Electra Ohio patient navigation program American Cancer Society Paskett, Electra Reducing cervical cancer in Appalachia National Cancer Institute Paskett, Electra Changes in lung structure and function in children with cystic fibrosis Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital Pennell, Michael Efficacy of pulmozyme in infants and young children with cystic fibrosis Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital Pennell, Michael Infant pulmonary structure and function group Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital Pennell, Michael Threshold regression methodology for cancer risk assessment University of Maryland Pennell, Michael Evaluation services for the happy healthy preschoolers (HHP) program United Way of Central Ohio Pirie, Phyllis

ANNUAL REPORT | 2010

2009-2010 Evaluation services for tobacco use prevention and cessation program and healthy communities initiative Strategic Research Group Pirie, Phyllis

(ARRA) Obesity development: Role of air pollution and high fat diet National Institute of Environ Health Sciences Sun, Qinghua

Foundations for Healthy Living (Pilot project) CDC Pirie, Phyllis

Air pollution and microvascular dysfunction: Leukocyte-dependent NAD(P)H oxidase National Institute of Environ Health Sciences Sun, Qinghua

Foundations for Healthy Living (Prevention Research Center) CDC Pirie, Phyllis Allergic condition susceptibility polymorphisms and glioma risk National Cancer Institute Schwartzbaum, Judith 2009 Ohio employer health survey Health Policy Institute of Ohio Seiber, Eric Satisfaction and cost-effectiveness of autism services for military families Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital Seiber, Eric (ARRA) Implementing systemic interventions to close the discovery-delivery gap University of North Carolina Song, Paula Assessment of family violence outcomes and prevention capacity Health Policy Institute of Ohio Steinman, Kenneth MRSA colonization in EMS personnel and equipment as a risk factor for secondary infections in Ohio trauma patients Ohio Department of Public Safety Stevenson, Kurt Ohio State health network infection control collaborative: Epi-centers for prevention of healthcare related infections CDC Stevenson, Kurt Reduction of MRSA colonization in EMS personnel and equipment to prevent secondary injury in Ohio trauma patients Ohio Department of Public Safety Stevenson, Kurt (ARRA) Air pollution on adiposity and vascular dysfunction: White or brown matters? National Institute of Environ Health Sciences Sun, Qinghua

Diesel exhaust exposure and cardiovascular dysfunction: ROS mechanism Health Effects Institute Sun, Qinghua Exposure to air pollution in childhood increases susceptibility to diabetes/insulin resistance development in adulthood Diabetes Action Research & Education Foundation Sun, Qinghua Evidence and empowerment among consumers in the public mental health system Ohio Department of Mental Health Tanenbaum, Sandra Great Lakes state structured interviews for study of impact of the recession on community mental health provider organizations Ohio Department of Mental Health Tanenbaum, Sandra The role of consumer-operated services in a transforming public mental health system Ohio Department of Mental Health Tanenbaum, Sandra

National Cancer Institute Weghorst, Christopher Behavorial cooperative oncology group Walther Cancer Inst Wewers, Mary Ellen Reducing cervical cancer in Appalachia – Project 2 National Cancer Institute Wewers, Mary Ellen Smokeless tobacco marketing approaches to Ohio Appalachian populations National Cancer Institute Wewers, Mary Ellen Tobacco cessation interventions with Ohio Appalachian smokers National Cancer Institute Wewers, Mary Ellen Bioaerosols in midwest greenhouses and respiratory symptoms among the workers University of Cincinnati Wilkins, John Developing and evaluating new approaches to youth agricultural injury prevention National Institute Occupational Safety & Health Wilkins, John Work-related injuries among immigrant workers Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital Wilkins, John

Are anthocyanins necessary for oral cancer chemoprevention by berries? National Cancer Institute Weghorst, Christopher Chemoprevention of oral cancer in Appalachia American Cancer Society Weghorst, Christopher Food-based modulation of biomarkers in human tissues at high-risk for oral cancer National Cancer Institute Weghorst, Christopher Genetic susceptibility and cervical cancer development Phi Beta Psi Sorority Weghorst, Christopher Prevention of oral cancer by strawberries with selenium assimilated in the fruit

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THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF PUBLIC HEALTH

TEACHING & LEARNING

Practicum of plenty

MPH student cultivates bountiful therapeutic garden for patients at Dodd Rehab Hospital By Wendy Pramik, CPH Communications MPH student Jaime Joseph in the therapeutic garden he helped design. 12

The recovery process for injured and debilitated patients can be long and grueling. But thanks to the work of one public health student, their road to recovery is at least a little greener at the Dodd Rehabilitation Hospital at Ohio State. Jaime Joseph, a Master of Public Health student in the College of Public Health’s Program for Experienced Professionals (PEP), chose to revamp the hospital’s therapeutic garden, which had become overgrown with weeds, as part of his practicum project. After six months of hard work, patients can now enjoy fragrant flowers and homegrown vegetables and herbs while spending long stays at the hospital. “He took the project from seed,” said Lynne Genter, the hospital’s director of nursing. “It just warms the heart to see more and more patients getting involved.” The garden, located outside the building’s west entrance, contains a variety of beds situated alongside a circular walking path. Some of the beds are raised, allowing patients in wheelchairs easy access to

the plants. “Gardens are therapeutic because of their beauty and usefulness,” said Joseph, who admits he knew very little about planting a garden before tackling the project in March. Joseph learned by reading and asking a lot of questions. He approached farmers at outdoor markets and called on the experts at the Chadwick Arboretum and Learning Gardens on the Ohio State campus. Volunteers there pitched in flowers and their time for the cause, and Joseph provided the vegetables. “I want to use my education in public health to impact what I believe is one of the root causes of disease – our diet,” Joseph said. “Therapeutic gardens exist all over, but we wanted ours to be an edible garden as well.” Joseph motivated patients to get involved, too. They planted flowers, plucked weeds and harvested seeds for next year’s crop. They also transferred dead vegetation to a compost pile to later be used as fertilizer.

Herbs, including dill, basil and parsley, were collected for a salad bar in the hospital. Onions, green peppers, tomatoes, broccoli and collard greens also were gathered for patients’ salads. Joseph gained skills in assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation in the PEP program. His academic advisor is Randi Love, clinical associate professor in the Division of Health Behavior and Health Promotion. “Jaime’s exemplary efforts have made a difference in the lives of the patients at Dodd by engaging them in therapeutic gardening,” Love said. “It’s a strategy that can be replicated in other contexts.” n

ANNUAL REPORT | 2010

TEACHING & LEARNING NEWS

Sun develops new course on climate change and health Qinghua Sun, associate professor in the Division of Environmental Health Sciences, taught a new course called Climate Change and Human Health this summer, linking students in Ohio State and Dalian, China. The course was taught to 15 Ohio State students and 27 international students simultaneously. The Chinese students participated via live video from the Dalian Medical University (DMU). The course, which is open to graduates and undergraduates, teaches students to identify diseases associated with climate change, as well as to discuss actions to combat its ill effects. “To date, there’s been no other course at Ohio State that addresses the impact of climate change on human health,” Sun said. “I felt obligated to provide a platform for students to discuss and debate these issues.” Instructors and students at both universities worked closely throughout the course. For the final project, each Ohio State student was paired with several DMU students to examine the roles that the United States and China should play in the fight against climate change. “The intercultural exchange between the students was enormous,” Sun said. “This is especially significant to understanding such an international and global topic such as climate change.”

Bioethics institute appoints CPH student as visiting scholar Michele Battle-Fisher, a doctoral student in the Division of Health Behavior and Health Promotion, served as a visiting scholar at the Hastings Center in

CPH students (from left) Pumla Pamla-Gutter, Ashley Thompson, Paige Young and Toni Tester

August. The bioethics research institute, based in Garrison, N.Y., examines issues in health care, biotechnology and the environment. “I explored how a person’s social networks influence their personal beliefs about living kidney donation within the African American community,” BattleFisher said. “I’m interested in finding out what ethical issues surrounding donation may be at play among African Americans who are at high risk for chronic kidney disease over their lifetimes.” Battle-Fisher’s academic advisor is Janet deMoor, assistant professor in the Division of Health Behavior and Health Promotion.

PhD student presents poster at cancer research meeting Marisa Bittoni, a doctoral candidate in the Division of Epidemiology, presented a poster titled “Assessment of Obesity and Lifestyle Risk Factors on Stage of Endometrial Cancer” at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., in April.

“My research showed that increased obesity is an independent predictor of early-stage endometrial cancer,” said Bittoni, who is interested in cancer prevention and the relationship between lifestyle risk factors, such as diet, exercise and obesity.

Student group raises awareness during Public Health Week In Celebration of National Public Health Week in April, the Society of Public Health Students held several activities to raise awareness of public health at Ohio State. The students set up a booth at the university’s Spring Involvement Fair at the Ohio Union in order to get the most foot traffic. Society members handed out fresh fruit and condoms at the booth. Other students walked around campus wearing sandwich boards promoting healthy habits, such as riding bikes and drinking water. The students also took their message to the campus Oval, where they wrote public health facts in chalk on the sidewalk.

THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF PUBLIC HEALTH

TEACHING & LEARNING NEWS

Health administration students host Leadership Symposium The Association of Future Healthcare Executives held its seventh annual Leadership Development Symposium in April. The event provided an opportunity for current and future healthcare leaders to connect and share ideas. Janet Porter, who received a Master of Science in Health Administration in 1977, gave the keynote address. She is currently the executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Doctoral student awarded ORISE fellowship with CDC 14

Lynn Huynh, a doctoral student in the Division of Health Behavior and Health Promotion, was awarded the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education fellowship to work at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for one year. The program is designed for doctoral students to acquire hands-on experience working at the CDC and could translate into doing a dissertation with a CDC project. Huynh began working in the area of obesity prevention in June. Phyllis Pirie, professor and chair of the Division of Health Behavior and Health Promotion, is Huynh’s academic advisor.

School of Biomedical Science. “Working in Dr. Sun’s lab was extremely helpful in preparing me for the Beckman Program,” said Chimanji, who is working on a research project on possible treatment options for Muscular Dystrophy patients. “Not only did I learn how to work in a collaborative setting, but I also was given the opportunity to conduct many standard scientific experiments.”

Public health grads are first with global health specialization Public health students Chris Volpe and April Hoyt were two of the first four students to graduate with the new Graduate Interdisciplinary Specialization in Global Health program in June. Both received certificates from Steven G. Gabbe, senior vice president for Health Sciences, and Mary Ellen Wewers and Daniel Sedmak, co-directors of the Health Sciences Center for Global Health. Wewers is also a professor in the college’s Division of Health Behavior and Health Promotion. Students in the program complete about two dozen hours of required coursework and have an opportunity to participate in a research project or at a clinical care site outside the U.S.

Undergrad researcher joins Beckman Scholars Program Raj Chimanji, an undergraduate biology student in Associate Professor Qinghua Sun’s lab, was invited to join the Ohio State University Beckman Scholars Program. Chimanji, who began the program in June, is one of six students conducting research and publishing papers with faculty from the departments of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the

Chris Volpe (second from left) receives a certificate from Daniel Sedmak, Mary Ellen Wewers and Steven G. Gabbe.

Volpe, who graduated from the MPH program in August, completed his practicum in Mexico, where he assisted low-income patients with their health concerns. His academic advisor was Randi Love, clinical associate professor in the Division of Health Behavior and Health Promotion. Hoyt, who received an MHA in the spring, traveled to Lima, Peru, after graduation to volunteer in a long-term care facility for the elderly and disabled. Her academic advisors were Ann S. McAlearney and Sharon Schweikhart, associate professors in the Division of Health Services Management and Policy.

Class of 2010 student awards The College of Public Health held a graduation reception in June for 54 new graduates. The Division of Health Services Management and Policy also held a reception honoring the 25 students who received a Master of Health Administration. The following students were recognized by the College of Public Health Alumni Society: Kevin Spicer, Outstanding MPH/PEP Student Award; Julie Freshwater, Outstanding MS/PhD Student; Chris LaLonde, Outstanding MPH Student; and Christie Rose, Outstanding MHA student. MHA students Erin Shaffer and Aaron Fields were each awarded a Leadership Prize by past presidents of the HSMP Alumni Society. The 2010 Caswell Scholars, named after Associate Professor Emeritus Robert J. Caswell, were Tracy Brewer, Kelli Clifton, Benjamin Hull, Christopher Bowers, Brooke Myers, Zachary Zeret, April Hoyt and Ashley Peterson.

ANNUAL REPORT | 2010

ENGAGEMENT & OUTREACH

Researching research

Ohio State’s Prevention Research Center asks public to share opinions for video project By Wendy Pramik, CPH Communications PRC program manager Carol Smathers (left) interviews Lou Seipel of CPO Impact.

The Prevention Research Center (PRC) is on a mission to find out what the public thinks about research being conducted at The Ohio State University. Knowing this will help the center serve as a bridge between academic research and public health practice. The center is asking members of the public to share their opinions about their research experiences in a video that will later be shown to researchers and community partners. “We’re not looking for ‘perfect’ spokespersons,” said Carol Smathers, program manager of the PRC. “We’re looking for real people who are willing to respond to questions about how research is viewed.” The content of the interviews will help researchers address problems and find solutions to build more effective partnerships in the community, so that both researcher and subject benefit. The center, based in the College of Public Health, is directed by Phyllis Pirie, professor and chair of the Division of Health Behavior and Health Promotion. Co-investigators are Mary Ellen Wewers, professor in the Division of Health

Behavior and Health Promotion, Timothy Buckley, chair and associate professor in the Division of Environmental Health Sciences, and Gail Kaye, program director of Human Nutrition in the College of Education and Human Ecology. Founded in 2009, the center is one of 37 such facilities funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Ohio State’s pilot project is a community-based initiative to better understand the development of eating habits and physical activities of young children. This research targets the south side of Columbus, where mortality rates for cardiovascular disease and diabetes are higher. Additional co-investigators on the research project include Liz Klein and Sarah Anderson from the College of Public Health and Bob Murray from Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Columbus City Schools nurse Jackie Broderick-Patton says an effective partnership with schools is vital to the PRC. “Public health research is very important to our organization,” Broderick-Patton said. “I use it to guide my practice and

as a gauge for developing best practices.” In the spring of 2010, the center began interviewing community members and public health practitioners, including Broderick-Patton and Matt Baldwin, a systems analyst at Columbus Public Health. Each was asked a series of questions including their experiences with research projects in the past. “I think the general population views academic research with some degree of suspicion,” Baldwin said. “It’s hard for people in the general community to open up and share their personal information with researchers, and for them to trust that what they’ve shared will be used to their benefit.” Ideas for possible solutions were collected, too. “Building trust really requires that once the research is done that folks hear back about what it learned and what kind of impact it’s going to have,” said Lou Seipel, vice president of community relations for CPO Impact, a housing company for low-income families in Columbus. n

THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF PUBLIC HEALTH

ENGAGEMENT & OUTREACH

Two faculty present sessions at 2010 Combined Conference

The College of Public Health was a sponsor of the 2010 Ohio Public Health Combined Conference in May in Worthington. Themed “Energy, Environment and Public Health: Making the Connection,” the three-day conference featured presentations on current trends and practices in the field of public health, including two talks by College of Public Health faculty members. Mac Crawford, assistant professor of clinical public health, presented a talk titled “Engaging the Public Health Workforce in Carbon Footprint Mitigation” and Armando Hoet, director of the Veterinary Public Health Program, presented “MRSA and Animals: Current Situation and Scenarios.” “The combined conference provides a great opportunity for outreach and to share current knowledge and experiences with other public health professionals,” Hoet said. “Here, one has the opportunity to provide the application side of one’s research, knowledge or findings to practical, real-life situations.”

Netwellness.org named ‘trusted’ health website In January, the Medical Library Association named NetWellness.org “one of the most trusted health websites.” Netwellness.org is a consumer health website maintained by The Ohio State University College of Public Health, the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and Case Western Reserve University College of Medicine.

Lindsay Meyer, right, of the Adapted Recreation Sports program demonstrates how to play wheelchair basketball.

The site has more than 55,000 pages of health information and offers an “Ask an Expert” feature in which more than 500 medical experts from the three universities author content and answer consumer questions. The site is now in its 13th year of operation. Each year the Medical Library Association releases its “Top 100 List: Health Websites You Can Trust.” NetWellness.org is listed in the “General Health” section. “This recognition demonstrates NetWellness’ prominence on a national level in providing credible and current health information,” said Phyllis Pirie, director of the Ohio State arm of NetWellness.org. “The participation of university faculty from many disciplines helps deliver the latest health and wellness knowledge to consumers.”

Diversity Committee sponsors activities during academic year The college’s Diversity Enhancement Committee held a number of lunchtime programs during the academic year to raise awareness of diversity issues. In March, the committee invited

members of the College of Public Health to learn about “adapted recreation” by participating in a game of wheelchair basketball at the Recreation and Physical Activity Center. Lindsay Meyer, who heads the Adapted Recreation Sports program at the center, shared information about what programs are available for students, faculty and staff with disabilities at Ohio State, such as wheelchair lifts in RPAC pools and the personal assistants who can guide the visually impaired through the facility. In April, the committee held an informational session about the Somali Documentary Project, which details the forced migration of the Somali people from their homeland. Presenter Tariq Tarey discussed the project and told the more than 50 attendees that the city of Columbus provides refuge to the secondlargest population of Somalis in the United States. The Diversity Enhancement Committee is made up of College of Public Health faculty, staff and students. It promotes activities that raise awareness of all forms of diversity.

ANNUAL REPORT | 2010

Corner a market The College of Public Health once again partnered with Columbus Public Health to hold a summertime farmers’ market for three days in downtown Columbus. The Public Health Farmers’ Market provides residents of the area much-needed access to fruits and vegetables. Twenty farmers participated in this year’s event, held for the past six years on the lawn of the health department on Parsons Avenue. More than 7,000 people attended. The market allows customers the opportunity to pay for goods using two government programs: the Ohio Direction Card (food stamps); and Women, Infants and Children (WIC) coupon booklets. Organizers issued more than 4,500 WIC vouchers and served 340 Direction Card customers.

Center delivers programs to public health practitioners The college’s Center for Public Health Practice (CPHP) made an impact in 2010 by offering a variety of training and organizational services to support public health practitioners and agencies across the state. A comprehensive needs assessment was conducted during the fall of 2009 that involved the 130 local health departments in the state. Critical data were collected and summarized to provide guidance preparing public health agencies to meet current and future challenges. In March, the center partnered with the Ohio Public Health Association to present the 2010 Public Policy Institute, titled “Putting the Public in Public Health.”

“This event was very timely given the increased emphasis and activities involving public and community engagement within the state,” said Michael Bisesi, director of the Center for Public Health Practice. Using the tools of community engagement, the center worked with Columbus Public Health and the Franklin County Board of Health over the summer to conduct an assessment of stakeholders’ experiences during the H1N1 pandemic. From January through July, the center sponsored its first Continuous Quality Improvement Institute. Seven teams representing five local health departments, the Ohio Department of Health and the Association of Ohio Health Commissioners participated in quality improvement training and applied the skills to address

an agency-specific quality improvement project. In May, the center partnered with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to cosponsor a two-day MetaLeadership Summit for Preparedness. Approximately 150 non-profit, government, and business leaders from the Columbus area attended. The goal was to improve the cross-sector planning and preparedness for possible natural and manmade public health emergencies. During the summer of 2010, the center worked with the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) to conduct a workforce needs assessment to assist in better defining and prioritizing continuing education and training for ODH personnel. In addition, the center leads a collaborative effort with other academic public health programs to launch an expanding collection of internet accessible self-instruction “evidence-based public health practice” modules. The center also worked with the Association of Ohio Health Commissioners and conducted a statewide post-H1N1 assessment and developed a composite after-action report and implementation plan.

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FACULTY FEATURE

High-water marks

Liang studies lakes, streams in rural villages to understand sources of diseases By Wendy Pramik, CPH Communications

Because of its scarcity in his native China, water has long intrigued Song Liang. Liang’s family and the members of his community had limited access to clean drinking water as they grew up in China’s southwest mountain region. That hardship inspired Liang to study dangerous organisms that can live in water. While in college, he focused on the waterborne Schistosoma parasite that is responsible for more than 20,000 deaths a year. Today, the assistant professor in the College of Public Health’s Division of Environmental Health Sciences continues to pursue water-related research. He’s become an expert in assessing risk factors of water-related pathogens and the environmental determinants of infectious diseases. He has traveled to rural villages in Japan, Africa and China to better understand why disease outbreaks occur and how to prevent them. Liang visited a farming village in Cameroon in June with researchers from Ohio State’s College of Veterinary Medicine and the Department of Geography.

The area has recently experienced one of the world’s worst cholera outbreaks in modern times. The disease is caused by a bacterium that can invade drinking water and food sources. It infects the small intestine and causes abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting that often leads to rapid dehydration. It’s one of the leading causes of death in the world. “What I saw there reminded me of what I experienced as a child,” Liang said. “People’s basic needs weren’t being met, like access to water, food and proper sanitation.” After securing the permission of community leaders to study the water in the region, Liang witnessed how valuable water is to the African people. “They strapped empty buckets onto donkeys and headed out early in the morning in search of water,” Liang said. “They fetched it from a faraway river and returned three hours later.” The researchers want to learn more about the transmission of cholera and other zoonotic diseases, which are passed

between animals and humans. They plan to return this winter and eventually build an education facility in the area. Liang is organizing a symposium in Beijing in November to address environmental health problems in rural areas. “Rural residents face more environmental health burdens than the urban residents,” Liang said. The symposium will unite researchers from Ohio State with those from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Ministry of Environmental Protection. The project, titled “Environmental Risk Transition in Rural China: Development, Water and Public Health,” was selected to receive a $10,000 Gateway Research Seed Grant from Ohio State University. Not much has changed in Liang’s mountainous village, where he still has extended family. “My hope is that my research has an impact on rural China,” Liang said. “I hope it helps people who really need it.” n

ANNUAL REPORT | 2010

Michael Bisesi

Tim Buckley

Eric Seiber

Bisesi serves on CDC’s advisory committee for oil spill

Buckley appointed to EPA’s Dioxin Review Panel

Michael Bisesi, associate dean of academic affairs and director of the Center for Public Health Practice, served on a national advisory committee that assessed the health impact of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The committee was convened by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in June and regularly met via teleconference until two months after the oil leak was successfully capped in July. With millions of gallons of oil spilled after the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig exploded on April 20, the spill is considered the largest in U.S. history and one of the largest in the world. Bisesi, who has more than 25 years experience in areas of environmental health and toxicology, was one of 35 national scientists and physicians to serve on the CDC’s “Team B Advisory Committee.” Bisesi said it was only the third time that the CDC had to activate such an advisory group. Other times were in response to Hurricane Katrina and the recent H1N1 outbreak. “I’m pleased to have been involved and to have provided input, which hopefully minimized the impact of this crisis on human health,” Bisesi said.

Tim Buckley, chair and associate professor in the Division of Environmental Health Sciences, was appointed to chair the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Science Advisory Board Dioxin Review Panel in July 2010. The panel provides independent advice to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concerning its revision of the 2003 Dioxin Reassessment Document. The revision, which came in response to recommendations by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), has initiated a scientific controversy among public health activists and chemical manufacturers because the EPA classifies a commonly used chemical as a human carcinogen in the document. The chemical, TCDD, gained notoriety as a contaminant in the dispersal of agent orange used during the Vietnam War. The chemical is linked to adverse health effects including cancer and reproductive problems. Because of the revision, chemical manufacturers and the United States government face cleanup liabilities from past use of the chemical. On the other hand, public health agencies, such as the Department of Health and Human Services, support the document’s claims.

As part of the review panel, Buckley will help complete a risk assessment of the chemical TCDD to determine its level of danger. The agency will then submit the report to the EPA to finalize its response to the NAS.

Seiber receives award for teaching excellence Eric Seiber, assistant professor in the Division of Health Services Management and Policy, received the 2010 Excellence in Teaching Award, which recognizes College of Public faculty for their exemplary teaching abilities. “Dr. Seiber is a dynamic instructor, and students really appreciate the energy he brings to class discussions” said Al Dembe, chair and associate professor in the Division of Health Services Management and Policy. Nominations for the award are submitted by students, faculty and alumni of the college, and the recipient is selected by a committee composed of past award winners and students from each division. “He cares about each of his students and goes to great lengths to help them grow and find success academically and in life,” said MHA student Erin Shaffer, who was one of several students to nominate Seiber for the award.

THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF PUBLIC HEALTH

FACULTY NEWS

Randi Foraker

NEW FACULTY Division of Epidemiology

Stefan Czerwinski will join the college’s Division of Epidemiology as an associate professor in January 2011. He comes to Ohio State from the Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, where he presently serves as the associate director of the Lifespan Health Research Center in the Department of Community Health. His research interests include genetic epidemiology, chronic disease epidemiology, nutritional epidemiology and urban health. He is currently working on a 5-year study funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development on the risk factors and lifetime health effects of childhood obesity. He is also completing a study funded by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases on genetic factors influencing osteoporosis risk. “Epidemiology is by its nature a multidisciplinary field,” Czerwinski said. “I look forward to the opportunity of developing collaborations with the many excellent scientists from diverse disciplines that are here at Ohio State.” Czerwinski received a PhD in Biological Anthropology in 1998 and a Master of

Haikady Nagaraja

Arts in Biological Anthropology in 1992 from the State University of New York at Albany. He also received a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology in 1990 from the State University of New York at Binghamton. Randi Foraker joined the Division of Epidemiology as an assistant professor in October 2010. She comes to Ohio State from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she was a graduate research assistant in the Gillings School of Global Public Health’s Department of Epidemiology. Her research in cardiovascular disease epidemiology focuses on the association between socioeconomic status and cardiovascular disease outcomes, such as heart failure progression, myocardial infarction and receipt of evidence-based therapies using both community surveillance and cohort data sources. “My passion for public health centers on the desire to identify disparities in cardiovascular disease occurrence, treatment and outcomes,” Foraker said. “I also seek to improve cardiovascular health and healthcare delivery in underserved populations.” Foraker received a PhD in Epidemiology in 2010 from University of North Carolina, a Master of Arts in Health Promotion in 1999 from the University

ANNUAL REPORT | 2010

Abigail Shoben

Hong Zhu

of Iowa, and a Bachelor of Arts in K-12 Education and Spanish in 1997 from the University of Iowa.

Division of Biostatistics Haikady Nagaraja joined the Division of Biostatistics in October 2010 as the chair and a professor in the Division of Biostatistics. He comes to the College of Public Health from the Ohio State University Department of Statistics, where he was a professor since 1994. He has been with OSU since 1980 and has a courtesy appointment as a Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine. Nagaraja’s research interests include statistical theory and applications such as ordered data analyses, stochastic modeling of biomedical phenomena, clinical trials, and other applications. “My interest in biostatistics was set in motion by a problem on heart rate variability in 1991 and has traversed through many fields including lupus, AIDS, sleep, multiple sclerosis, and muscular dystrophy,” Nagaraja said. Nagaraja received a PhD in Statistics in 1980 from Iowa State University, a Master of Science in Statistics in 1974, and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Statistics in 1972, both from the University of Mysore in India. Nagaraja is a Fellow of the American

Statistical Association and an elected member of the International Statistical Institute. He also serves as the president of the International Indian Statistical Association. Abigail Shoben joined the Division of Biostatistics as an assistant professor in October 2010. She comes to Ohio State from the University of Washington’s Department of Biostatistics, where she had a research assistantship in the Department of Nephrology. Her research interests include clinical trials, epidemiologic methods and longitudinal data analysis. “My future methodological work will build off of my dissertation research in clinical trials as well as problems that arise from collaborative settings,” Shoben said. “In clinical trials, I plan to investigate the performance of existing group sequential methods when the statistical model does not hold exactly, such as model misspecification or when the effect of the treatment differs by subgroup, and to suggest methods that may better account for this possibility. Shoben received a PhD in Biostatistics in 2010 from the University of Washington, a Master of Education, in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in 2003 from The Ohio State University, and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry in 2002 from Brown University.

Hong Zhu joined the Division of Biostatistics as an assistant professor in October 2010. She comes to Ohio State from the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, where she was biostatistics consultant in the Department of Health Policy and Management Her research interests include statistical theories and applications, such as mutivariate survival analysis, semiparametric and nonparametric methods for multiple event data, truncation and censoring, and interval and prevalent sampling. “I am interested in developing and applying innovative statistical methods assisting in clinical practice and public health,” Zhu said. ‘I look forward to using my expertise in survival analysis and cancer research to contribute to the development of the college.” Zhu received a PhD in Biostatistics in 2010 from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor of Science in Statistics in 2005 from the University of Science and Technology of China.

THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF PUBLIC HEALTH

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT MPH alumna takes lesson in collaboration to heart

Amy Lee is an associate professor of community medicine and a program director at the Consortium of Eastern Ohio Master of Public Health in Rootstown, Ohio. The program is a partnership among five universities in Ohio and is geared toward working professionals wishing to broaden their knowledge of community health. Lee received a Master of Public Health from Ohio State in 1996, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Akron, a Medical Degree from the Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine, and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Akron. Her academic advisor at Ohio State was Moon Chen, now professor emeritus. "He was a wonderful mentor," Lee said.

“He taught me about the power of collaboration. I use these skills in my current position.” Lee says she enjoys the flexibility of working in an academic setting and collaborating with students, faculty, staff and administrators from multiple institutions. “My favorite aspect is seeing our students graduate and go on to careers that make an impact on the health of the community in which they are serving,” she said. Working with five academic institutions can be a challenge, though. Each one has its own set of guidelines and policies. “I’m constantly amazed at the opportunities and challenges there are in public health,” Lee said. “Through all my experiences, I’ve gained pieces that make me what I am today.”

Amy Lee, MPH, 1996

Healthcare management alumnus is makes difference at Sinai Health System

Alan H. Channing, MS, 1971

Alan H. Channing is the president and CEO of Sinai Health System in Chicago. He leads a team of 3,000 caregivers in an underserved community on the west side of Chicago, where about 750,000 people live. Channing, originally from Harrisburg, Pa., received a Master of Science in Health Care Management from Ohio State in 1971, and a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management from the University of Cincinnati. He was among a handful of students in the first Health Care Management class at Ohio State, then directed by Donald W. Dunn. “He took a personal interest in each of his students,” Channing said of Dunn. “My career has given me many unique challenges and opportunities. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.” As a young graduate student, Channing recalls Dunn emphasizing how one person can make a difference, especially in health care management and public health. “In my current role, I orchestrate how 3,000 caregivers working for a single mission and toward a single vision can make a difference to a broad and diverse community,” Channing said. “And, if we are successful, we have the opportunity to influence national health policy.” Channing says his challenge is to keep the Sinai Health System viable in one of the most economically disadvantaged neighborhoods in Chicago, while providing top-notch care. Combining the skills acquired in the Master of Science in Health Care Management program with an understanding of community health determinates has allowed me to lead Sinai to create a unique health care delivery system that received the American Hospital Association’s 2010 NOVA award.”

ANNUAL REPORT | 2010

ALUMNI NEWS

Duane Reynolds, Class of 2004, received the William Oxley Thompson Award for early career achievement from The Ohio State University Alumni Association.

Alumni Society receives diversity programming grant The HSMP Alumni Society’s Diversity Committee received a 2010-2011 Diversity Programming Grant from the Ohio State Alumni Association’s office of Outreach and Engagement. The $1,000 grant will be used to support a new Women’s Leadership Forum that will provide networking opportunities for female students and alumni. The diversity committee is led by Duane Reynolds, who received a Master of Health Administration in 2004. “The diversity committee develops activities and programs that examine issues affecting diversity in the healthcare field,” Reynolds said.

OSU Alumni Association honors two HSMP graduates Two graduates of the college’s health administration program were honored by The Ohio State University Alumni Association for their successes in the field of public health and their service to the university.

Janet Porter, who received a Master of Science in Health Administration in 1977, was awarded the Ralph Davenport Mershon Award for demonstrating exceptional leadership skills and service to Ohio State. Porter currently serves as the executive vice president and chief operating officer of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. Duane Reynolds, who received a Master of Health Administration in 2004, was awarded the William Oxley Thompson Award for his early career achievements. He is currently the assistant administrator of the Division of Rheumatology at Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore, where he oversees all operational aspects of the division including administration, finance and human resources. Both awardees were honored at the alumni association’s annual awards gala in September.

gency Medicine at Christiana Care Health System in Wilmington, Del., and served as chief resident in his final year of training. Since returning to Ohio State, Moseley has twice been honored as the “Teacher of the Year” for the Department of Emergency Medicine and has received Ohio State’s College of Medicine Excellence in Teaching Award. His faculty advisor in the College of Public Health was Stephen Loebs, professor emeritus in the Division of Health Services Management and Policy.

Business First names alumnus to top ‘40 under 40’ list Mark Moseley, who was the first student to complete the 5-year combined MD/MHA program at Ohio State in 2002, was selected as one of Columbus Business First’s 2010 “40 Under 40.” The publication annually recognizes central Ohio business professionals who are making a difference in their communities. Moseley is medical director for Emergency Services at the Ohio State University Medical Center. He completed his residency in Emer-

MHA Golf Outing About 30 College of Public Health faculty, staff, students and alumni attended the 2010 MHA golf outing at the Glen Ross Golf Course in Delaware in May. Pictured from left are Stephen Loebs, professor emeritus in the Division of Health Services Management and Policy, Dick Schrock, adjunct instructor in HSMP, Paula Song, assistant professor in HSMP, and Nate Ricker, 2010 MHA graduate and founder of the MHA golf outing.

THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF PUBLIC HEALTH

DEVELOPMENT

Alumni host presentations on public health issues

Throughout the academic year, the College of Public Health Alumni Society held a number of popular lunchtime presentations on a variety of public health topics, including healthcare reform, the importance of recycling and how one’s own body image reflects their self esteem. The alumni society offered the presentations as a way to foster interactions among students and alumni, said society president Denise Kissell, who received an MPH in 2004. “We focused on different specializations within the College of Public Health,” Kissell said. “And we found current topics that would appeal to both students and working professionals.”

Health Sciences alumni unite at Picnic with the Pops More than 100 health sciences alumni gathered for the Picnic with the Pops outdoor concert featuring the Ohio State Marching Band in July, including Elizabeth Kress, 2007 MPH alumna, and her husband, Andy.

Liz and Brian Burkett

Buckeye couple challenges others to support public health Liz and Brian Burkett have a challenge for all College of Public Health alumni. Brian and Liz, an MPH alumna from the Class of 2007, have pledged to give $25,000 toward student scholarships by 2012. Their goal? For all alumni to match that gift with combined giving of $25,000 in new and additional donations by 2012 to selected funds. Liz and Brian are committed Buckeyes. As an undergraduate, Burkett met her future husband, Brian, while the two lived in Taylor Tower. Liz went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1982, a Juris Doctorate in 1986, and a Master of Public Health in 2007, all from Ohio State. Brian works at Ohio State in Facilities Operations and Development, and two of the couple’s three children are pursuing degrees at Ohio State. With so much appreciation for Ohio State, Liz and Brian have been donating to the university since 1986. However, the couple made their most significant commitment by pledging to give $25,000 to the College of Public Health’s general scholarship fund by 2012. They are halfway to their goal, and challenge all alumni to support any of the following funds in the College: • The College of Public Health Fund • The Research and Educational Support Fund • The General Scholarship Fund • The Cunz Hall Renovation Fund For information about these funds visit: http://cph.osu.edu/giving/ “Public health is such a pivotal area in our society, and I think it’s kind of gotten a short shrift with funding,” said Liz, an attorney at Colley Shroyer and Abraham in Columbus. If each alumnus increases their annual gift by at least $25, or gives an initial gift of $25, the goal will be accomplished. “Whatever you can give is important,” Liz Burkett said. “We hope others will help fund programs that can truly make a difference in our communities.” To participate in the challenge see the enclosed envelope. If you have questions about the challenge contact the College’s development office at (614) 293-8264 or LKilloren@cph.osu.edu.

ANNUAL REPORT | 2010

CPH BY THE NUMBERS

341, total number of graduate students in CPH programs for the past academic year

44 percent, increase in the

number of students over 5 years

35 percent, increase in the

number of applicants over the past 5 years

63 percent, percentage of

female graduate students in the college

70 percent, percentage

of female students enrolled in all accredited schools of public health

19, total number of Graduate

School Fellowships given in the past academic year

31, total number of Graduate

Associates appointed in the past academic year

134, number of professionals

attending the 2010 Summer Program

2,717, number of professionals

attending workshops and programs offered by the Center for Public Health Practice during the past academic year

$13.9 million, CPH Annual

budget for 12 months ending June 30, 2010

$11.9 million, grants

awarded to CPH faculty in FY2010

$6.4 million, grant expenditures in FY10

21st, rank of Ohio State’s College

of Public Health, according to U.S. News & World Report

12th, rank of Ohio State’s MHA

program, according to U.S. News & World Report

18th, rank of The Ohio State

University, according to U.S. News & World Report’s list of the best public universities

COLLEGE OF

PUBLIC HEALTH College of Public Health The Ohio State University M116 Starling-Loving Hall 320 W. 10th Ave. Columbus OH 43210

Erin Shaffer (far right), who received a Master of Health Administration degree in spring 2010, now works at the Cleveland Clinic as an administrative fellow. Shaffer convinced her coworkers, one of whom is a University of Michigan graduate and crossing his fingers, to spell O-H-I-O in front of the main entrance of the hospital.