PHLOT Fall 2022 Newsletter

F R O M T H E D E A N ' S D E S K

I?m thrilled to have the opportunity to serve as interim dean for the UAlbany School of Public Health In this role,I have witnessed firsthand our students?dedication to,and interest in,bettering the lives of others and enhancing their communities,and I know these future public health leaders will make a significant impact on public health in New York State,nationally,and globally. Our 37-year partnership with the New York State Department of Health? well known as one of the best health departments in the world? allows us to provide rigorous educational training,practical applied experience through internships and leadership development opportunities through the Public Health Leaders of Tomorrow program This newsletter showcases some of the ways this program has made a critical impact financially, academically,and professionally on the students enrolled in our graduate programs,and the importance of maintaining its funding On behalf of our School,I want to express my gratitude for the continued support and efforts our New York State policymakers,legislators and constituents put forth to sustain this initiative Because of their commitment,we have collaboratively remained steadfast in strengthening the public health infrastructure in New York State

F O L L O W U S O N S O C I A L M E D I A

Dr. Mary P. Gallant , Int erim Dean

Universit y at Albany School of Public Healt

Program Hist ory & Mission MISSION

The Public Health Leaders of Tomorrow program was launched in 2006 as a collaboration between Senator Kemp Hannon (Chairman of the New York State Senate Standing Committee on Health),Peter Levin (former Dean of the School of Public Health) and the New York State Department of Health as a collaborative effort in response to the New York St at e Public Healt h Council Report of 2003,highlighting the State?s need to bolster the public health workforce,particularly related to promoting public health careers and leadership training It provides funding for state and local health department employees to complete academic coursework leading to professional graduate degrees,receive advanced training in public health practice,and engage in leadership and professional development activities

The mission of t he Public Healt h Leaders of Tomorrow program is to support the development of a trained public health workforce and a cadre of public health professionals capable of and experienced with working in state and local public health departments.It is designed to strengthen the public health infrastructure of New York State through academic,practical and leadership training opportunities.

Funding

PHLOT SUCCESS In Numbers

support ed mission crit ical init iat ives t o bolst er

public healt h workforce in New York St at e

t o public healt h professionals across

York St at e t o receive

hrough

t raining

cost savings by having st udent s secure t uit ion benefit s t hrough t heir employers before applying for PHLOT funding

of t uit ion awardees who indicat ed t hey would not have been able t o pursue graduat e educat ion wit hout PHLOT support

public healt h graduat e st udent s received int ernship st ipends t o complet e project s alongside seasoned professionals in NYS count y healt h depart ment s and t he Depart ment of Healt h

of t he operat ing budget spent on mat erials, supplies and equipment each year t o maint ain program funct ionalit y

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT : NANCYMCGRAW

McGrawwasappointed asthe SullivanCountyPublicHealth Director in2013 andhas22 years of experience inpublichealth.She earneda Master of PublicHealth degree fromthe Universityat Albany(2018),anExecutive MBA inhealthcare administrationfrom BinghamtonUniversity(1999),and a Master of Social Work (1992) fromMarywoodCollege

The PHLOTprogramwas instrumental inhelping McGraw achieve her goal of pursuing her advanceddegree inpublichealth byproviding tuitionsupport.

Congratulations to Nancy McGraw,LCSW, MBA, MPH,Public Health Director of Sullivan County Health Services,who was elected in June as Board President for the New York State Association of County Health Officials (NYSACHO). NYSACHOrepresents all 58 local health commissioners and public health directors,serving as the voice for all of New York State?s local health departments. She has served on the NYSACHOBoard of Directors since 2017, as well as the Board for the New York State Association for Rural Health, the Sullivan County Cornell Cooperative Extension Program Advisory Committee,and the Sullivan 180 Advisory Board.As Sullivan County?s Public Health Director,McGraw has led community health assessment and improvement projects,and has guided the Sullivan County Rural Health Network, bringing together community stakeholders to address health equity, chronic disease, maternal and child health,dental health,and the opioid crisis.She also has coauthored research studies in collaboration with New York University?s School of Medicine on food insecurity and the burden of chronic disease in rural geographic areas, with the goal of advocating for additional public health resources in rural counties that have pockets of the highest burden of disease in the state Sarah Ravenhall,NYSACHOExecutive Director,said:?We are fortunate to be led by such a skilled and experienced Board of Directors,and I am grateful for their service to their communities and to NYSACHO Under the leadership of President McGraw,the Executive Committee and the full Board of Directors, we look forward to partnering with New York State elected leaders to continue taking the steps necessary to fully strengthen and stabilize our local public health preparedness and response capabilities?

President Nancy McGraw said:?I?m deeply honored to be elected by my colleagues to lead such an esteemed, knowledgeable,and committed Board of Directors and membership New York State is incredibly diverse,which requires our policies and investments to address issues that uniquely impact urban,suburban,and rural communities.I?m excited to build on this year?s momentum to reinvest in public health and improve the health and well-being of every community across New York State.?

F O R T H E F U L L S L A T E O F E L E C T E D N Y S A C H O D I R E C T O R S , V I S I T T H I S W E B S I T E

OPENINGDOORS ANINTERN'S EXPERIENCE

H E A L T H P O L I C Y & M A N A G E M E N T

During my int ernship , I conduct ed research for an ASTHO/CDC grant funded virt ual learning collaborat ive program in part nership wit h t he New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM) t hat engaged local healt h depart ment s on healt h, housing, and longevit y policies, programs, and dat a I also complet ed a lit erat ure review and compiled housing and aging relat ed indicat ors for public dat a disseminat ion which was published via a dashboard on NYAM's websit e In addit ion, I facilit at ed virt ual office hour sessions t o educat e local healt h depart ment s on housing dat a and present ed on t he learning collaborat ive project and dashboard as part of SPH's Post er Day

I benefit t ed from t he experience professionally because it allowed me t o work direct ly wit hin all levels of public healt h: local, st at e and nat ional, which I had not been exposed t o before I was able t o communicat e direct ly wit h local healt h depart ment s, local agencies and ot her organizat ions about housing relat ed issues in t heir area I also worked wit h several offices wit hin t he New York St at e Depart ment of Healt h and was able t o net work wit h ot her colleagues while doing so Working on t his grand funded project allowed me t o obt ain t echnical assist ance from and communicat e wit h officials from ASTHO and t he CDC, which offered a nat ional public healt h perspect ive on t he issues I was researching, somet hing t hat was import ant t o me personally

Gaining knowledge and insight beyond what I learned in my classes and having hands on experience working and collaborat ing wit h professionals and organizat ions in sect ors of healt h, aging, long t erm care and housing significant ly prepared me for my fut ure in public healt h It also

cement ed an earlier goal t o obt ain a full t ime posit ion at t he New York St at e Depart ment of Healt h Receiving PHLOT funding t o complet e my int ernship was ext remely import ant because it helped support my needs as a graduat e st udent Having a source such as t his should cont inue so ot her st udent s, like myself, don't have t o have t he added st ress of covering t uit ion, rent or ot her bills t hey can just focus on t heir int ernship

As a result of t his experience, I was offered a posit ion as Special Assist ant t o Commissioner of Healt h Mary Basset t as a fellow in t he New York St at e Public Healt h Corps Fellowship Program

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A I L G U I S B O N D M P H

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A B I G A I L ' S I N T E R N S H I P W A S I N T H E O F F I C E O F P U B L I C H E A L T H P R A C T I C E A T T H E N Y S D E P A R T M E N T O F H E A L T H

G U I D I N G C A R E E R S

Christopher Maylahn, DrPH, MPH, has mentored many students through the School of Public Health's Internship Program. But Abigail Guisbond, an MPH intern who completed her internship in Spring 2022 with the Office of Public Health Practice under Maylahn's guidance, made a considerable impression. Abigail implemented a project funded by ASTHO (the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials) to support State Partnerships for Population Health, conducted literature reviews pertaining to health effects of housing, and designed and populated a housing related data dashboard presenting the results of the information to numerous audiences

Throughout her time with his Office, Maylahn found Abigail to be very capable in completing all aspects of her internship including background research, conceptualization, data extraction and analysis, as well as developing and carrying out a webinar series for local health departments in conjunction with state and national partners "Abigail possesses a unique set of abilities that contributed to the successful implementation of an initiative to build capacities of local health departments to address local housing issues", explained Maylahn "Along the way, she was punctual in meeting deadlines and keeping us informed. The most demanding aspects of the internship coincided with the end of academic year, yet Abigail completed them proficiently and engendered confidence in her mentors and peers along the way. It was a privilege to mentor her."

Maylahnservesasa ProgramResearch Specialist inthe NYS Department of Health'sOffice of PublicHealth Practice whichprovidesoperational support for the PreventionAgenda,the state'spublichealthimprovement plan. He receivedhisMPH inchronicdisease epidemiologyfromYale University School of Medicine?sDepartment of EpidemiologyandPublicHealthandhis DrPH fromthe Universityat Albany School of PublicHealthinthe Department of HealthPolicy, Management andBehavior.

Abigail Guisbondposeswithher poster Addressing Age FriendlyHousing Indicatorsfor NewYork State'sLocal HealthDepartmentsat the UAlbany School of PublicHealth's31st Annual Student Poster DayinApril 2022. She receivedthe highest honor,the Excellence inScholarshipAwardfrom the HealthPolicy&Management department,inrecognitionfor her outstanding poster presentation.

T H E M E N T O R ' S R O L E

JAFFERY SELECTED AS CSTE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT

Jafferyappliedfor the prestigious CTSEscholarshipwhile enrolled in the MPH inPublicHealthPractice online programat the UAlbany School of PublicHealth,where he alsocompletedthe certificatesin PublicHealthFundamentals& PrinciplesandPublicHealth Surveillance andPreparedness

"The 2022 CSTEConference was an enriching experience where I was able to connect with like minded individuals with the same interests and passions as myself I was also able to attend a plethora of seminars and workshops to help me develop as a 'public health leader of tomorrow'! Pursuing my Master?s degree while working full time was something I could never have imagined,but the PHLOT program instilled in me the hope that I can make my dreams a reality,and was a door to which more opportunities have opened up for me "

Taking coursework such as Introduction to Epidemiological Principles and Methods and Infectious Disease Epidemiology allowed him to advance professionally from a Public Health Advisor in the Office of School Health to a Public Health Epidemiologist within the Bureau of Immunization

"I never thought that I would be able to work full-time and successfully manage the expectations of a graduate degree program," says Jaffery. "The PHLOT program gave me the reassurance I needed to pursue what I I love. Being that I am already working in the field of my graduate degree,each day of work is strengthened by my studies,and I can be the best version of myself!"

Working extensively during the COVID 19 emergency response with the NYC Health Department, he saw firsthand the importance of Public Health in our world today He credits the skills he has learned in the classroom with providing him with the knowledge and confidence to serve the next public health emergency to the best of his ability

The PHLOT program has allowed me to pursue my passion,and I have seen the results of achieving higher education by advancing in the workplace! Without the PHLOT funding, I don't know if I would have been able to bear the financial burden of education, alongside the many financial responsibilities I have I am not the first,and will not be the last person that feels this way The PHLOT program helps people like me achieve goals t hat t hey could have never t hought possible. I am grat eful for t he PHLOT program and hope t hat more st udent s can benefit from it s generosit y like I have ?

The Jeffrey P Davis Student Scholarship Fund provides opportunities for public health students to network with applied epidemiologists at the CSTEAnnual Conference The Scholarship is managed by a dedicated task force comprised of CSTEF board members and CSTEstaff who design and disseminate the application,and evaluate each scholarship submission All eligible applicants for the Jeff Davis Student Scholarship should be a current student in a public health program and a resident of the United States or US territories Ideal scholarship applicants are students with a concentration in epidemiology The estimated expense for one student ranges from $700 to $2,500.

For scholarship information ,visit this website

Zian Jaffery was selected as one of 14 young leaders attending Schools of Public Health nationwide for the 2022 Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologist (CSTE) Jeffrey P.Davis Student Scholarship.Jaffery,a Public Health Epidemiologist at the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene,was granted the opportunity to be sponsored as an academic scholar to the 2022 CSTEAnnual Conference in Louisville, Kentucky as part of the award.

Jaffery (back row, cent er) poses wit h t he 13 ot her public healt h leaders from Schools of Public Healt h nat ionwide who earned scholarships t o at t end t his year's CSTE Annual Conference

TUITION AWARD STUDENT TESTIMONIALS

LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT PUBLIC HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

Livia Sant iago-Rosado Healt h Commissioner, Dut chess Count y

"Enhancing the knowledge andeducationof those taskedwithcaring for their neighborsisa great investment PHLOT is a transparent way of expressing to the employee they are valued and worth investing in The programalsoprovidesa tangible mechanismtopromote growthamong those working ingovernmental agencieswitha viewtoimproved performance andoutcomesbyreducing barrierstopursue further education for countyandstate employeeswhoare thenina positiontoutilize their learning for the benefit of the larger community."

Scot t King

Public Healt h Direct or, Seneca Count y

"At thispoint inmycareer (>20 yearsinPH) I wouldnot have pursuedthe Director of PublicHealthpositionor anMPH were it not for the potential to receive PHLOTassistance incombinationwithcountytuition reimbursement. The funding is critical for those public health professionals who might be considering pursuing another position within public health or whosimplywant toimprove ontheir abilitytohave a positive impact onthe communitiestheyserve "

Anna Plat z

Deput y Direct or, Lewis Count y

"Thisprogramisinvaluable tothe future of the NYS publichealthworkforce.I recommendit toanyone interestedinfurthering their publichealth education,andamsograteful for the opportunitiesit brought me,I want otherstoexperience the same!After serving asa publichealthspecialist for four years,I waspromotedtoDeputyDirector.Having anMPH wasa requirement for thisposition,soI couldnot have appliedwithout it! The flexibilityof the programallowedme togainwork experience while furthering myeducation,whichI believe hasonlymade me more qualified for thisnewrole PHLOTsupport wasverymotivating;knowing that PHLOT as well as my employer were investing in my education and future made me want to work that much harder!"

Tina McDougall

Public Healt h Direct or, Washingt on Count y

"Without the PHLOTprogram, I would not have been able to afford to pursue my MPH, which is a requirement for my position as Director. The funding isimportant inorder togive local healthdepartment employees the opportunitytoadvance inthe fieldof PublicHealth The Epidemiology coursework hasbeenveryhelpful,especiallythroughthe pandemic."

TUITION AWARD STUDENT TESTIMONIALS

NYS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PUBLIC HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

Tina France

Regional Epidemiologist /Infect ion Prevent ion Specialist New York St at e Depart ment of Healt h

"While I amstill 'new' inthisjourney,taking courseshasincreasedmy confidence--bothwiththe knowledge I have obtainedinthe subjects,andmy abilitytosuccessfullycomplete them.Myprofessional goalshave broadenedto include the potential for further career chainclimbing,if I choose. I received a significant promotionbasedonmyskillsandactive pursuit of anMPH degree. PHLOT funding opens opportunities for individuals that have all the attributes for a higher level in their career ladder but do not meet the educational requirements.PublicHealthisessential toour communitiesandthe abilityfor individualstobe able tohave accesstofunding tofurther their careersand commitment topublichealthiscrucial,especiallyduring thistime of a dwindling healthcare workforce andever increasing demand/ needfor their expertise "

Lakia Jarvis

Healt h Program Administ rat or I New York St at e Depart ment of Healt h

"I'musing myknowledge of publichealthprinciplestoguide me in my positionwithinthe divisionhealthandprogramswe oversee.I completed mycertificate programquicker withthe additional PHLOTfunding which allowedme toshowcase myabilitiesandknowledge around epidemiology and other analytical skills.Mythesisproject onMedicaid Redesignwaswell receivedbymyadvisor andwork colleaguesanddistributed among CBOs for inclusionincontinued work onaddressing healthdisparities. Additionally, it was that project which landed me my promotion. Those in positionswithout tuitionreimbursement needthisfunding toobtain degreestobecome more knowledgeable inpublichealthpolicy."

Ko-Shin Chen Research Scient ist New York St at e Depart ment of Healt h

"As a cross field scientist working in the Department of Health, PHLOT provides an opportunity to develop necessary skills and to understand the terminology in the field, while allowing me to build a multidisciplinary background. PHLOT funding is important because it provides financial support for people whowant topursue a work relateddegree "

STUDENT'S NAME HEALTH DEPARTMENT FORMER POSITION PROMOTED TO

NicoleAnjeski CortlandCounty PublicHealthPrograms Manager

Public Healt h Direct or

ChristinaCain Herkimer County InterimPublicHealthDirector Public Healt h Direct or TinaFrance NewYorkState Epidemiologist Infect ion Prevent ion Specialist DanGilmore OneidaCounty Environmental HealthDirector Public Healt h Direct or BrianHart NewYorkState ProgramResearchSpecialist II Research Scient ist II ZianJaffery NYC PublicHealthAdvisor Public Healt h Epidemiologist LakiaJarvis NewYorkState Secretary2

Healt h Program Administ rat or I Scott King SenecaCounty DeputyDirector of PublicHealth Public Healt h Direct or MichelleMacaraig NYC Assistant Director of Strategic Planning Direct or of Policy, Planning & Administ rat ion

TinaMcDougall WashingtonCounty Fiscal Officer Public Healt h Direct or NancyMcGraw SullivanCounty DeputyPublicHealthDirector Public Healt h Direct or AnnaPlatz LewisCountyHealth PublicHealthSpecialist

Deput y Public Healt h Direct or Jennifer Trudeau ClintonCounty RN/Principal PublicHealth Educator

KerryVanAuken WayneCounty Senior PublicHealthEducator

Qualit y Coordinat or

Deput y Public Healt h Direct or KristineVoos GeneseeCounty HealthEducator

Epidemiology Coordinat or SamanthaWhite ChemungCounty PublicHealthEducator Public Healt h Coordinat or

"I began my almost 12 year career with the health department as an intern,then a Public Health Educator,then a Public Health Programs Manager,then the Deputy Public Health Director and now the Public Health Director Becoming the Public Health Director had been my goal very early on in my journey as a public health professional, and PHLOT was definitely a huge factor in seeing this to fruition PHLOT support was t he only way for me t o cont inue my higher educat ion and receive my MPH degree; without the degree,I would not have qualified for my current position

P U B L I C H E A L T H P R O F E S S I O N A L S R E P O R T E D R E C E I V I N G A P R O M O T I O N A S A R E S U L T O F P U R S U I N G A G R A D U A T E D E G R E E W I T H P H L O T S U P P O R T B E T W E E N

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Laura Bell (Ulster county, Online MPH)

Carmen Charlest on (Schenectady county, Certificate in PH Fundamentals & Principles)

Leonard Claus (Rensselaer county, Certificate in PH Fundamentals & Principles)

Emily Crimmins (Columbia county, Certificate in PH Surveillance & Preparedness)

Emily Haigh (Columbia county, MPH)

Abigail Kaiser (Broome county, Certificate in PH Fundamentals & Principles)

- Scot t King (Seneca county, Online MPH)

Kat herine Mungari (Oneida county, non-degree)

Bernel Orest e (NYC county, Online MPH)

Emily Penrose (Genesee county, Certificate in PH Fundamentals & Principles )

Melissa Puicon Healey (Schenectady county, Online MPH)

Anne Ross (Orange county, Online MPH)

- Livia Sant iago-Rosado (Dutchess county, Online MPH)

Paige Sheeley (Ulster county, Certificate in PH Fundamentals & Principles)

MOURNINGTHELOSSOF DR. PETERLEVIN

It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our colleague and friend,Dr.Peter Levin,who died suddenly on October 8,2021. Dr Levin 's diverse and well traveled 50 year career in public health ranged from his early days as an officer in the US Public Health Service on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Montana to,at age 74,assignment to Rwanda for the Global Health Leadership Initiative Among his many roles,Dr Levin served as Deputy Commissioner,New York City Department of Health;Chief Operating Officer, Bronx Municipal Hospital Center;Executive Director, Stanford University Medical Center; Dean of three colleges of public health (University of Oklahoma,University of South Florida,and the State University of New York at Albany);and Health Policy Counsel to Senator Connie Mack (R FL) While at UAlbany,Dr Levin worked tirelessly to raise the profile of the School of Public Health,shaping a dean's office that encouraged faculty to reach out and explore their potential while providing visible and responsive leadership to staff and students Under his leadership,the School of Public Health experienced a consistent increase in enrollment, expansion of distance learning initiatives and three new joint degree programs through partnerships with Albany Medical College and UAlbany's School of Social Welfare.He was instrumental and played a key role in the creation of the Public Health Leaders of Tomorrow program collaboration,and staunchly supported and continued to advocate for the initiative Our sincerest condolences to his family; Dr Levin will be remembered fondly as part of our University at Albany Public Health community.

ht t ps://www.legacy.com/us/obit uaries/nyt imes/name/pet er-levin-obit uary?id=31141461

NEWYORKSTATE

The School of Public Health held its 31st Annual Student Poster Day on Friday,April 22,, 2002,where more than 70 students will shared their research and internship experiences,a majority of them completed at local health departments and the Department of Health in New York State Commissioner of Health Dr Mary Bassett attended the event and spent the day viewing poster presentations and chatting with students about their accomplishments Hosted by the SPH Office of Internships and Career Services, Poster Day represents the hallmark of what makes the school a national leader in practice based research and education and serves as an opportunity for students to present on their internship and graduate research projects More importantly,it is a time where the SPH community recognizes and celebrates the hard work put forth by our students,faculty,and public health host organizations

MPH student KennethOkonkwodiscussesfindings fromhisposter withNew York State Commissioner of Health,Dr MaryBassett at the Annual SPH Student Poster Dayheldinthe George EducationCenter at the HealthSciencesCampus

An Awards Ceremony announced winners for Excellence in Scholarship and Honorable Mention in each poster concentration area with monetary awards provided by Health Research Institute as the sponsor Dr Bassett provided welcome remarks for the ceremony and addressed the current climate and needs of public health in New York State

In 2023, Post er Day will be held as part of t he Universit y at Albany's Showcase Day, an event t hat will highlight t he work of our st udent s across all disciplines at t he college Showcase Day is open t o all Universit y part ners Mark your calendars for Thursday, April 27t h, 2023!