First published on July 13, 2015 in observance of the COPH’s 30^th anniversary celebration.

Founded in 1997 by a training grant supported by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the Sunshine Education and Research Center at the USF College of Public Health stemmed from an industrial hygiene training program grant in the late 1980s.

“NIOSH has several charters,” explained Dr. Thomas Bernard, chair and professor in Environmental and Occupational Health and SERC (pronounced SIR-see) program director since 2008.  “One of them is to support and encourage the development of professionals in the field of occupational safety and health.  A mechanism for doing that is through training grants.”

After Bernard’s arrival in 1989, additional training program grants followed in occupational medicine and occupational health nursing.  Then the department began work on an occupational safety program.  Eight years later, the fledgling operation had grown enough to warrant centralization.

“In the mid-’90s,” Bernard said, “we decided that we would combine those training activities with a grant and ask for an education center.  The application required that it have training in at least three programs, and we had four: safety, industrial hygiene, medicine and nursing.  The application was accepted and funded under the leadership of Stuart M. Brooks and Yehia Hammad.”

Being headquartered at a university the size of USF naturally leads any interdisciplinary entity into an expansion cornucopia that Bernard is happy to enumerate, along with the USF colleges involved.

“Because they are multidiscipline programs, part of their value is the interdisciplinary training,” he said.  “We added, about seven years ago, occupational health psychology, so that’s now a funded program in Arts and Sciences.  We’ve expanded the safety program to include a degree out of engineering.  Obviously, we’re involved with the [Morsani] College of Medicine:  The clinical rotations and residency certificates come out of medicine, and then the academic training comes out of public health.

“With nursing,” he said, “we have three options.  One is a straight occupational health nursing degree, a second one is a dual degree in nursing and public health, and then we also have a third degree that’s strictly public health.”

Thomas Bernard, PhD

Another requirement under the grant from NIOSH, which is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is a continuing education component,  which also has been added.  Additional expansion has stemmed from outreach activities, student recruitment and a pilot project in research training for doctoral students and junior faculty.

“We support these throughout the region,” Bernard qualified, “so they aren’t only for USF.  We have reached way beyond ourselves in terms of the arrangements that we have, but we engage the professional community more than the community at large.”

He added that the center is “very much engaged” in state and regional professional conferences, as well as in coordination with other ERCs in the state and the region.

“By and large, we have a very good national profile,” he said.  “There are just a couple of us that reach out globally, but those are more individual efforts.  The ERC is designed to serve primarily Florida, and in a larger sense, the Southeast region.  That’s our mission and our charter from NIOSH, not to go beyond that, but I think we have expertise in a number of areas that have national recognition.”

The highly technical nature of some of those areas probably help limit recognition to professional circles, but their significance would be difficult to deny. Respiratory protection from nanoparticles is one of them, but as Bernard pointed out, it’s not exactly a topic on most people’s minds.

“Few people are asking, ‘What happens when you breathe those in?’  Some of them have characteristics that are not unlike asbestos.  Others are easily transported across the air-blood barriers, so they move through the lungs into the blood and get transported elsewhere in the body.  So protecting individuals from nanoparticles is important,” he said.

And the list goes on.

“We have a major presence in the area of heat stress – how to evaluate heat stress, how to manage it, and especially, the effects of protective clothing.  We have fairly good recognition in Europe in the area of ergonomics,” he continued,  “and occupational health psychology clearly is one of our well-recognized programs.”

Workplace stress, safety climate and work-family balance are others, he said.

“And then,” he concluded with a nod that said he’d saved the best for last, “we turn out good students, and we’re recognized through the product of the quality of our students.”

SERC hosts a six-day Summer Institute for Occupational Health and Safety for students interested in exploring graduate studies.

Looking ahead is easy for Bernard, and he likes what he sees for his organization.

“I think that everything we do in public health, and everything we do within the SERC, is prevention – preventing people from being injured or having their health impaired,” he said.  “But I think our opportunity here at USF lies in translating research to practice and also expanding on the fact that a healthy workforce is healthy not only from controlling exposures to hazards in the workplace, but also from encouraging healthy activities outside the workplace.

“So, bringing these work and home lives together is an opportunity for us,” Bernard concluded, “and that’s where I see our future.”

Story by David Brothers, College of Public Health.

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The undergraduate public health program at the University of South Florida ranks No. 1 in College Factual’s  “Top 10 Veteran-Friendly Public Health Schools” list, which was featured in a Military Times article in June.

However, insiders know that this isn’t the only reason why the USF College of Public Health rocks. From unique courses taught by passionate instructors to summer programs for high school students, this undergraduates come face-to-face with all of the core disciplines in public health.

Save lives with the military, save lives with us

College Factual generated the rankings from a variety of factors when determining the top colleges for veterans pursuing a bachelor’s degree in public health, from veteran-friendly policies to affordability to overall college quality.

USF’s COPH offers the first bachelor’s degree program in public health at an accredited college in Florida’s State University System. The degree in public health provides student-centered courses required for entry-level public health jobs found in government agencies, health corporations, community non-profit organizations and health care facilities.

“When the student veterans become familiar with the College of Public Health, they immediately see the link between what they did in the military and how it is applied to public health courses,” said Kay Perrin, PhD, assistant dean of undergraduate studies at USF’s COPH.

For example, Perrin said, when a student veteran who worked on enhancing clean water and sanitation in a village takes a course in global or environmental health, the student can instantly see the connection between the work they were doing and improved quality of life.

The USF COPH’s support for veterans extends beyond the classroom.  The college’s Undergraduate Studies office also organizes events to help student veterans get acquainted with each other outside of the classroom and feel more at home in a university environment.

COPH student veteran Joe Close strikes a bullish pose with USF System President Dr. Judy Genshaft. They were in Tallahassee for the 2015 USF Day.

Thanh Le, an academic advisor at the COPH who organizes these meetings, says that these opportunities allow students to connect names to faces, build relationships, express their concerns and difficulties as veterans returning to school and suggest ideas to further improve and support their experience.

The office also provides flexible advising appointment times and coordinates a one-on-one meeting with the associate dean which allows student veterans to connect on a personal level, gain personal assistance, and address any issues or concerns they may have.

More information on the College Factual rankings for veteran-friendly undergraduate public health programs can be found online here.

Undergraduates learn the power of communication

Spring 2015 was Alison Oberne’s first semester teaching Public Health Seminar: Communications in the Digital Age, and to say that it’s not your typical public health course would be an understatement.

In the course, students explored a variety of related skills and developed communication strategies on topics of their choosing, with the proviso that the topics are public health-related.

“The topics they chose really run the gamut, from maternal and child health to mental health to drug use and abuse to nutrition,” said Oberne, who is an instructor in the Department of Undergraduate Studies at the USF COPH.

“My experience in Communications in the Digital Age this semester has been one filled with more creative freedom than I have ever had the opportunity to use in all of my time as a public health major,” said senior Laurie Brutus.  “All of our assignments allowed us to focus on developing a communication skill and to demonstrate that skill through different communication media.”

Infographic by graduating senior Laurie Brutus.

Their methods of presentation were as varied as the subject matter, Oberne said. Students posted speeches to YouTube, tweeted about their topics, and wrote letters to the editor. One student even got her letter to the editor published.

Oberne said that her favorite part of the class was the last assignment, though, where students had to design their own infographic, which is a display that combines graphics, texts and images to convey information easily.

“For example, this infographic is talking about MRSA,” she said while holding up an impressive-looking page.  “I’ve talked to the student who created this and encouraged her to talk to residence life to try to promote how to get the message out to the larger student community.  I want them to take these skills and see the broader impact.”

Infographic by junior Kaitlyn Davis.

“They’re used to writing research papers, so this really put them outside of their comfort zone,” Oberne said.  “But they learned so much in the process.”

“The best part about creating an infographic,” Brutus said, “is that you can tap into a different side of yourself and use skills that you may not have been able to find use for in a field full of data and research like public health.  I didn’t realize there was a way to blend my love for design and imagery with skills in public health research and writing.  Creating this infographic has opened my eyes to a whole new way of disseminating information, changing minds and impacting social change.”

Workforce development course teaches hands-on skills training

“It’s really cool to see students get jobs,” said Laura Rusnak, faculty instructor of Public Health Seminar: Workforce Development.

The fine art of shaking hands is demonstrated by undergraduate instructor Laura Rusnak, MPH, CHES.

What makes this class unique is that it focuses solely on developing skills to get students hired. Its syllabus covers topics like resumé-making, interview-skills and networking – things that students have to do, but that they may have never been formally taught.

“It’s all relevant,” she said.

The course entered the rotation a few years ago, but Rusnak modified the material and brought it back for the summer.

“I had to make a lot of changes,” Rusnak said. “I cut away all the fluff, so it’s just stuff. It’s just the things they need to know to do what they need to do.”

Rusnak says that the most important topic the course covered was resumé writing. The students were able to submit a resumé and then receive feedback so they could revise it, sometimes two and three times.

“That was one of the coolest things, to see the progression and how improved they were,” she said. “It’s not just about the resumé, it’s about the skills that they learn: to ask for help and get feedback.”

Another topic covered in the course is how to shake hands. While it seems simple, Rusnak explains that there’s much more to it, and that how you present yourself non-verbally can make an impression before you even open your mouth.

Undergraduates Kenia Aguilar and Brittany Piver prepare to shake hands.

It’s skills like these that are crucial to students getting hired.

“Speaking directly to job acquisition skills is highly needed, and students love it,” Rusnak said.

Typically, the career center offers optional classes or workshops for these types of skills, but before this course there was nothing specific for public health. This course is one of several public health seminars that students are required to take, but technically students could complete their degrees without ever taking the course.

While it might not be strictly required, Rusnak thinks it will be brought back into full rotation.

“We plan to make it available during the spring semester, as well as in the summer semester,” she said. And students agree.

In an anonymous survey of the class, many students voice the opinion that the class should be required.

One anonymous commenter said that the class is one that should be taken for any degree.

“The best class to prepare you for graduating and finding a job,” they said. “This class gives you the tools to succeed.”

Undergraduates demonstrate what to do…

Undergraduate Ricardo Rosario cleans up before participating in the hand shaking demonstration.

And, what not to do …

Kenia Aguilar and Laura Rusnak demonstrate the side hand shake.

Laura Rusnak gives Guerthie Geffrard the two hand shake.

Facebook photo gallery of the full hand shaking exercise

Bridging the gap for high school students

Along with making class time as enriching as possible, the USF COPH recognizes the importance of reaching out to the community to help get future students engaged in the field of public health.

And just like the previous two years, this year’s Public Health Summer Institute at the USF COPH did just that.

Dr. Rene Salazar, assistant professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, directs the program, which began in 2013. The program is open to students across Hillsborough County, and this year many high schools were represented.

“This is an opportunity for them to explore this discipline and the educational and career options available in public health,” Salazar said.

Dr. Salazar leads a discussion in the COPH’s industrial hygiene lab.

Salazar models some of the protective equipment that industrial hygienists wear when investigating environmental hazards.

Because public health as an undergraduate major is relatively new, the Institute provides many students with first-time exposure to the field of public health.

“I know a lot of us didn’t know what public health was to begin with,” admitted rising Strawberry Crest High School junior Amruta Potdar.

The program is free to students, who are selected from an application process based on good academic standing and a possible interest in health disciplines or public health.

The weeklong program is just in its third year, but it has quickly gained popularity. The first time it ran, there was only one session of 12 students. Since then, the program has more than doubled, from one session with 12 students to two sessions a summer with 14 students. The program runs 9:00 a.m. to roughly 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

In addition, students gain exposure to all the different concentrations within public health as well as an introduction to college life.

“We get up and do things,” Salazar said. “We visit campus safety; we go and visit the medical center; we go and visit the wellness center for students and faculty and staff on campus; we take a tour of main campus.”

Participants examine the bacteria that grew from their personal items in a 24-hour period.

Yuk!

Salazar says the culminating event is when the group uses the public transportation system, The Hartline, to travel downtown to the Hillsborough County Health Department. While they’re there, students get a firsthand look at public health in action.

For one of the participants, rising senior Shreya Shivan from King High School, the experience has been eye-opening.

“Public health to me is interesting – where it comes from and where it’s going,” Shivan said. “It’s about how do we keep everybody healthy instead of treating the people that are already sick.”

Shivan said that the disaster presentation was particularly interesting, especially learning about EMTs and the things they do for the community.

Students use a paper diagram and squeezable ambulance to learn basic CPR.

After an in-class demonstration by professionals, students practice CPR in unison.

“I actually went home and looked into it,” she said. “I might do that in the future.”

Salazar recognizes that not every student will find their home in public health, but the Summer Institute allows them to test the waters.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for high school students, usually rising juniors and rising seniors, to take a look at a discipline that might serve as a very good undergraduate major,” Salazar said. “Even if it’s to show them that public health is not what they want, then I think that we’ve done a service to the community.”

***

Outside of the classroom, the undergraduate curriculum also features multiple opportunities for student research and study abroad.  More importantly, all students are expected to practice their passion in the field and begin honing their public health skills as an undergraduate.

This spring, 171 students graduated with public health bachelor’s degrees, bringing the total to 1,038 who have earned their four-year degrees since the undergraduate public health major was established at USF in 2011.

At the graduate level, USF’s public health college offers several master’s degrees as well as a PhD and a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH).  Earlier this year, USF’s COPH was ranked 16 in U.S. News and World Report’s list of “America’s Best Graduate Schools.”

Related story:
USF Nursing and Public Health graduate programs ranked among nation’s best

Story by David Brothers and Annamarie Koehler-Shepley, video by Zack Murray, College of Public Health. Photos courtesy of multiple sources.

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Undergraduate students interested in honing their skills are invited to apply for the Summer Institute in Occupational Health and Safety.  Hosted at the USF College of Public Health, the program runs from June 14-19.

“The Summer Institute has been an eye-opening and life-changing experience,” said Todd Crutchfield, a 2013 OHS participant.  “I would not trade it for anything.”

Summer Institute in Occupational Health and Safety Class of 2013

During the week-long session, OHS participants visit with experts in the College of Public Health and the Tampa Bay area.  Through a series of lectures, laboratory sessions and field experiences, students learn how OHS professionals are trained to treat and prevent occupational illnesses, why illness occurs in the workplace, and how to make the workplace a safer environment.

“We want to show students not only that this field exists, but that it is an important part of public health, and that there are great opportunities to further their education and to have successful careers,” said Rene’ R. Salazar, PhD, CIH, assistant professor at the USF College of Public Health and director of the OHS summer institute.

Thanks to funding from Sunshine Education and Resource Center, all tuition, fees, housing, food and travel are paid for by the summer institute.  For additional information and to apply, visit the institute’s website or contact Jason Garcia at jgarcia4@health.usf.edu.

“The Summer Institute gave me valuable insight into the field of occupational health and safety, which allowed me to better direct possible paths of graduate studies in USF’s public health program,” said Casey Foster, a 2013 participant.  “I learned that occupational health and safety professionals use science and technology in the workplace to save lives and make a difference in our communities.”

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The Public Health Summer Institutes at the USF College of Public Health drew raves from its student participants last year. From all indications, this year’s edition scored another hit.

“It was great, wonderful!” exclaimed Hillsborough High School senior Maximilian Site, one of 11 student participants. “Anyone accepted to this experience should go for it and try it. Stay the week. Anything you miss you will regret.”

Maximilian Site

The weeklong summer institute was held July 21-25. It was the last in a series of three institutes over the summer. The program targets high school students in Hillsborough County and college students planning for graduate studies.

Dr. René R. Salazar, assistant professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, directs the program, which is in its second year.

Salazar said the program aims to introduce students to the educational and career opportunities available in the various fields of public health. The hope is to spark enough enthusiasm to bring in new students eager to major or minor in public health at USF.

“Two of the summer institutes aim to introduce the disciplines of public health to high school students,” Salazar explained, “and the institute for graduate students aims to enthuse them to pursue graduate degrees in occupational health and safety.”

Dr. Rene Salazar pictured with this year’s high school participants in the Public Health Summer Institute.

Students said they appreciated Salazar’s patient and informative style of breaking down every aspect of public health for their understanding. Most of the students went into the institute having expressed at least an interest in the field.

Senior Amanda Amigo of Tampa Bay Technical High School said she enjoyed the institute so much she’s already eyeing a career in public health.

Amanda Amigo

“Every day I came in, I learned a lot, and I was looking forward day after day to coming,” she said. “I will take back the knowledge of public health and knowing that it will most likely be my future.”

Students spent the week learning about all facets of public health via lectures by professors, field trips and campus tours. COPH funded their on-campus and off-campus activities, meals, snacks and transportation.

Deena Singh, a senior in the International Baccalaureate Program at Robinson High School, said that the most memorable part of the program was the “This is Public Health” campaign video.

Deena Singh

“They were putting stickers everywhere,” she said, “because public health is in every aspect of the community. That’s why it’s such a big field, because preventative methods are very important. Public health touches everyone’s lives.”

Story by David Brothers. Photos by Ellen Kent and Natalie D. Preston, USF College of Public Health

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“Is occupational health and safety the field for you?”

That’s the question a group of undergraduates in the College of Public Health’s Summer Institute in Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) pondered from June 9-14.

Summer Institute in Occupational Health and Safety, Class of 2013

Hosted on the University of South Florida’s Tampa campus, the weeklong program introduced participants to OHS experts in the college and Tampa Bay area.  Through a series of lectures, laboratory sessions, and field experiences, students learned how OHS professionals are trained to treat and prevent occupational illnesses, why illness occurs in the workplace, and how to make the workplace a safer environment.

“We want to show students not only that this field exists, but that it is an important part of public health, and that there are great opportunities to further their education and to have successful careers,” said Rene’ R. Salazar, PhD, CIH, assistant professor and director of the summer institute.

Funded by the Sunshine Education and Resource Center, the Institute covers all tuition, fees, housing, food, and travel for participants.

WUSF’s University Beat recently featured the Summer Institute in Occupational Health and Safety.  Click here to download audio from the radio broadcast or here to read the full story.

The USF College of Public Health offers concentrations in occupational health and safety that lead to MPH, MSPH, and PhD degrees. Most recently, the college launched an online MPH in health, safety and environment.

To learn more about the Institute’s endeavors, visit their webpage or contact Dr. Salazar at rsalaza5@health.usf.edu.

Photos by Ellen Kent, USF College of Public Health

Related media:

Summer Institute in Occupational Health and Safety slideshow

USF Shows Students Promise of Occupational Safety & Health Fields

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