Public Health Perspectives Melanie Flores, MSW

During this episode, we get to meet the new Dean of the School of Public Health, Dr. Muge Akpinar-Elci. Dr. Akpinar-Elci has an impressive career in the health sciences, working at various Universities, the World Health Organization, the CDC, and many other equally impressive agencies. I couldn’t be more pleased to welcome her to Public Health Perspectives to learn more about this impressive woman leading our public health ship in little ol’ Reno, NV. 

Important Links:
Dean Muge Akpinar-Elci BiographySchool of Public Health at UNRApply to Graduate School at the School of Public Health

Sober-curious? Are you or somebody you know battling a substance use disorder? Wonder where the intersection of public health and behavioral health meet? This might be the episode for you. During this episode, we talk about the realities of walking the road to recovery with three public health-minded individuals who know this topic intimately.

Guests:
Brandon Collins, College Student, World Traveler & Owner of BCOLLINSTATTOODaniel Fred, M.S., Senior Coordinator and Instructor for Nevada Cares, Center for the Application of Substance Abuse Technologies within the School of Community Health Sciences at UNRLisa Lee, M.A., CPRSS, Project Manager at Trac-B Exchange, Research Assistant for Dr. Karla Wagner in SCHS, Chair of the Nevada Interagency Council on Homelessness and Housing, a mother and Doctorate student at Walden UniversityResource Dealers:
Nevada Recovery and Prevention Community (NRAP)Center for the Application of Substance Abuse Technologies (CASAT)Reps 4 RecoveryRecovery Resource HubTrac-BFoundation for RecoverySB 69: Peer Recovery Support SpecialistsSMART RecoveryAdverse Childhood Experiences (ACES)bcollninstattoo.com 

At the time of this recording, there were over 24-million reported COVID cases, over 400,000 deaths, and over 4,000 newly reported deaths according to the CDC. The Pfizer and Moderna COVID vaccines are officially being administered under emergency-use authorization. As such, every news channel, online newspaper, and social media platform is pumping out what consumers need to know.  This has left many of us confused and concerned on what is true about this vaccine and whether it is safe to take. During this show, I pull together Nevada's experts to discuss the two vaccines and frequently asked questions and concerns.

Guest Speakers:
Shannon Odermann Bennett, Immunization Program Manager, Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public and Behavioral Health, Immunization ProgramDr. Christina Madison, PharmD, FCCP, AAHIVP, Founder and CEO of The Public Health PharmacistHeidi Parker, MA, Executive Director of Immunize NevadaLieutenant Colonel John Brownell, Concerned CitizenCOVID-19 Resources:
Immunize Nevada at immunizenevada.orgNevada Health Response at nvhealthresponse.nv.govRegional Information Center: COVID-19 in Washoe County, covid19washoe.comThe Public Health PharmacistSouthern Nevada Health District COVID-19CDC COVID-19 Resources

World AIDS Day was first observed in 1988 and each year after that on December 1st. The objective of World AIDS Day is to increase HIV awareness and knowledge, speak out against HIV stigma, and ultimately move towards ending the HIV epidemic. For the 2020 observance of World AIDS Day, the theme is resilience and impact as we work towards ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic.  

During this episode you will hear from:
Trudy Larson, MD - founding Dean of the School of Community Health Sciences about the beginning of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the U.S.Jennifer Howell, MPH - Sexual Health Coordinator at the Washoe County Health District on prevention, statistics, and how to get involved.Allister Dean - a Reno, NV native who is a memoir author and shares his story of living with HIV.Jamar Rogers - a singer, songwriter, and advocate for the HIV/AIDS community. He speaks about his story living with HIV, being a contestant on The Voice, and what he's doing now with his music. It's a truly inspiring story to listen to.https://www.allisterdean.com/
https://thejamarrogers.com/
https://www.unr.edu/public-health

During these uncertain times, people across the world are facing numerous challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown no border and is affecting us all in every sector of life. Join four experts in the fields of public health, medicine, economics, and history as they discuss the ramifications of COVID-19 across disciplines.
This session will focus on the cultural, medical, and economic considerations of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the public health response.

To see the live presentations of this COVID-19 Series, go to www.makinghealthhappen.org.

Guest Speakers Include:

Mehmet Tosun, Ph.D., Professor of Economics, Barbara Smith Campbell Distinguished Professor of Nevada Tax Policy, Director of International Programs
Dr. Tosun is the Barbara Smith Campbell Distinguished Professor at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). He is also a Professor of Economics and the Director of International Programs in the College of Business. He is a research fellow at the Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), an affiliate research fellow at the Oxford Institute of Population Ageing, a research fellow at the Economic Research Forum (ERF) for Arab Countries, Iran and Turkey, and a fellow at the Global Labor Organization (GLO). He is an Associate Editor of Socio-Economic Planning Sciences. He is on the journal editorial board of Migration Letters and the journal program committee of Przeglad Organizacji (Organization Review) in Poland. He also serves on the board of the Reno Philharmonic Association and the Ozmen Institute for Global Studies at UNR.

Trudy Larson, M.D., Dean of Community Health Sciences
Trudy Larson, M.D., is the Dean of the School of Community Health Sciences at the University of Nevada, Reno. She was appointed following an impressive 27 year career at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine where she served as a professor, former chair of the Department of Pediatrics, and also served as an associate dean.

As a pediatric infectious disease specialist, she has spent her career focusing on HIV/AIDS and immunizations and has contributed to both fields in research, education and service. She is one of the founders and is the former Medical Director of the HOPES clinic providing medical services to those with HIV/AIDS. In her capacity as co-Medical Director for the AIDS Education and Training Center at the University, member of the Northern Nevada Immunization Coalition and medical consultant to the Washoe County District Health Department, she has taken the lead in speaking to professional audiences and the general public on topics such as AIDS, vaccination, disease outbreaks, bioterrorism, sex education, just to name a few.

Cheryl Hug-English, M.D.
Cheryl Hug-English, M.D., MPH, is the Medical Director of the Student Health Center at the University of Nevada, Reno. She formerly served as interim dean of the University of Nevada School of Medicine. A 1982 graduate of the medical school who went on to earn a master's in public health from UCLA, Hug-English most recently served as a clinical faculty member in the Department of Family Medicine and medical director of the University of Nevada, Reno's Student Health Center.

Hug-English is a past president of the Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners and was named the School of Medicine's Alumnus of the Year in 2008. Her prior posts with the school include chair of admissions, assistant and associate dean of admissions and student affairs, and member of the Integrated Clinical Services Board. She has served on several committees, including the Student Development Committee. Hug-English is also a past president of the School of Medicine's Alumni Association.

Hugh Shapiro, PhD, Associate Teaching Professor
Hugh Shapiro is a professor of Asian history at the University of Nevada, Reno. As a Smithso

Mel Minark, PhD, MPH, FACHE and Heather Haslem, MS, will present Mindfulness, Spirituality and Self- Care for Public Health Employees in Stressful Times.

During these uncertain times amid COVID-19, many in the public health community have needed to make significant adaptations to daily life and have faced numerous challenges. How do we remain strong? How do serve in the front lines of research and practice yet prioritize self-care? Join two experts in the field of spirituality and mindfulness to learn about cutting edge techniques to care for ourselves and the communities we serve. 
Dr. Minarik has had a twenty-year career in hospital administration in California as vice president of one of the largest healthcare systems in the state. She has served as an executive leader, volunteer board member of several large nonprofits, and consultant to local businesses. In particular, she oversaw the development and implementation of one of the largest and most successful medical wellness centers on the West Coast.
Heather Haslem is the Wellness Director at the Sanford Center for Aging. Within that role, she leads the center's Community Wellness Programs. She is a qualified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction teacher, a certified yoga instructor, and a National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach.