End Notes and News
School to Offer New Programs in Public Health Genetics
Dramatic advances in biotechnology and human genetics, and their potential to affect public health services and policies, have generated the need to educate and train academicians and practitioners in the developing field of public health genetics (PHG). In response, the School of Public Health is establishing a new multidisciplinary graduate program to integrate genetics and the public health science disciplines with coursework in genetic epidemiology, statistical genetics, ecogenetics, biotechnology, law, ethics, and public policy The first course will be offered in spring 1998 for currently enrolled students who wish to pursue an MPH degree in this special, New students will be accepted for MS and PhD programs beginning in fall 1999.The program will address society's legal, ethical, financial, regulatory, and organizational responsibilities in offering genetic services and devising environmental and therapeutic interventions to prevent disease in populations. The UW schools of Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, Law, and the College of Arts and Sciences are participating in the program, as are the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the Washington State Department of Health. These affiliations will offer students opportunities for interdisciplinary coursework, research, and field projects. The University Fund Initiative established by President McCormick is providing initial funding support to launch the program.
For more information, consult the PHG Web page or contact Dr. Melissa Austin, program director, or Dr. Timo/thy Rose, graduate program advisor, at 206-616-2084 or phg@u.washington.edu.
Patricia Wahl Appointed Acting Dean
President Richard L. McCormick named Patricia W. Wahl acting dean of the School of Public Health and Community Medicine following the September 4 resignation of Dean Gilbert Omenn, who has become the vice president for medical affairs at the University of Michigan. "I am grateful for her willingness to take on this assignment. Pat has been associate dean for 12 years and will provide excellent leadership and stability in a time of transition," President McCormick said in making his appointment. Dr. Wahl has been a member of the faculty since 1971 and is a professor of biostatistics. Assisting with the Dean's Office administrative duties are Kenneth Anderson, the School's administrator, and Helen MacQueen, manager of academic affairs.
President McCormick has appointed a committee (sidebar), chaired by Dr. Paul B.Robertson, dean of the School of Dentistry, to conduct a nationwide search for a new dean. To help guide the search process, the committee will consult broadly among the faculty, students, and affiliate organizations outside the University to solicit views regarding the future direction of the School. The committee anticipates submitting the names of three to five candidates by the end of winter quarter and President McCormick hopes to appoint the new dean by July 1. Grants Update
Principal investigators at the School received $15.2 million through 48 new grants or competing renewal awards in 1996. Of this total, $8.6 was available for the 1996-97 fiscal year, which combined with $21.7 million from continuing grants brings the total 1996-97 grant and contract support to $29.67 million. School faculty are PI's on an additional $41.9 million in grants administered through affiliated institutions with which faculty collaborate. Grant support increased 4.5% over the 1995-96 total.School Gains Center for Health Management Research with the Arrival of Dr. Howard Zuckerman
In recruiting Dr. Howard Zuckerman from Arizona State University, the School of Public Health also brought the Center for Health Management Research (CHMR) to the University of Washington. Directed by Dr. Zuckerman and based at ASU since 1992, the center conducts research on integrated health care systems with a focus on "real world" problems such as the restructuring of patient care and evaluation of physician organization arrangements. Newly funded projects involve clinical practice patterns, prenatal services for teens, and information systems.As one of 50 cooperative research centers designated by the National Science Foundation, and one of only two focusing on health care management research, the center is supported by 15 medical centers and hospitals across the nation and by the Network for Healthcare Management, a national consortium of university programs. Representatives of the health care systems define the center's research agenda and are the first to learn of its findings. "The center will give the UW a tremendous resource for enhancing the effectiveness of health care delivery and will allow us to greatly expand our research and teaching on the design, management, and evaluation of integrated delivery systems," said Dr. William Dowling, chair of the Department of Health Services.
Another benefit will be a complementary relationship with the Center for Cost and Outcomes Research (CCOR) established in 1996 and jointly sponsored by the School of Medicine and the School of Public Health and Community Medicine. Codirected by Dr. Richard Deyo, professor of medicine and health services, and Dr. David Buchner, associate professor of health services, CCOR will conduct studies on clinical treatments, diagnostic technologies, preventive interventions, and population-based strategies for health promotion. "While CCOR focuses on finding cost-effective approaches to clinical treatment, prevention, and promotion, the mission of the CHMR is to find more effective organization structures and management practices, which are critical to the successful implementation of strategies to improve clinical care and health promotion," Dowling noted.
In addition to his halftime appointment with the UW, Zuckerman will serve with the Washington Health Foundation, the education and research arm of the Washington State Hospital Association. He received a Ph.D. in medical care organization from the University of Michigan, an M.B.A from the Graduate Program in Hospital and Health Administration from Xavier University in Cincinnati, and a bachelor's degree from Hunter College.
Innovative Distance Learning Program Launched in July
A public health nurse in Anchorage, an environmental sanitarian in Spokane, or a community health educator in Sacramento will no longer need to quit their jobs and move to Seattle to begin earning credits toward a master's in public health. Instead, they can enroll in the new Certificate Program in Public Health, a distance learning program for midcareer professionals launched this year at the School of Public Health.The School is one of four selected and funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to develop and deliver an innovative combination of distance learning and onsite courses with 33 graduate-level credits applying toward an MPH degree. Directed by Dr. James Gale, professor of epidemiology and adjunct professor of health services, the program began in mid-July when 32 students from 16 states convened on campus for two weeks in the first of four onsite visits during the 15month program.
Coursework offers training in informatics, administration, policy and planning, community development, epidemiology, and oral and presentation skills needed by public health practitioners. Between on-site sessions, the curriculum is delivered through a combination of written materials, lectures on video, and the Internet. Faculty and students also keep in touch by email and voice mail. Faculty hope that some of the students who complete the certificate program will apply to the MPH program.
"This is one of the first efforts at the UW to offer graduate credit through distance learning, and it is an important teaching trend for the future in this information age," Gale noted.
Evening MHA Program to Enroll First Class in January
Physicians, nurses, and other clinicians who wish to strengthen their management, financial, and health care delivery skills may enroll in a new evening program to earn a master's degree in health administration (MHA). This unique program is designed for mid-career clinical practitioners who have demonstrated interest or competency in management and wish to continue their careers while earning a graduate degree.Coursework encompasses one to two evenings a week on campus, periodic intensive weekend skills development sessions, supervised field work, and independent study and distance learning. Team teaching by faculty from the Department of Health Services and practicing professionals is an important component of the program. Most students will complete degree requirements in two to two and a half years. The first class enters in January 1998, and applications are being accepted for autumn quarter. To obtain an application packet, call 1-800-543-2320 . For other questions, contact Donna Jones, program coordinator, at 206-616-2976 or dormaj@u.washington.edu.
Students Seek Unified Voice, Stronger School Links, Through New Association
A desire to forge stronger links among students in the School's five departments and to increase awareness of the public health disciplines prompted the creation of the Student Public Health Association (SPHA) in fall 1996. SPHA also provides a forum in which students can address their concerns and seek a unified voice to represent student interests SPHA has representatives on all school-wide committees of interest to students, including the Executive Committee (SPHEC and the Curriculum Committee).SPHA goals are: (1) to foster a positive graduate school experience for all students; (2) to create interdisciplinary learning and understanding between departments; (3) to encourage open communication among all departments within the University; (4) to develop respect for individual departments; (5) to promote open communication with the School's administrative bodies; and (6) to enhance social interaction among students and faculty from all departments.
All registered students in the School of Public Health are considered members of SPHA. Interested students from other schools and departments may apply for membership. SPHA is governed by a seven-member board that represents the five major departments. The well-attended biweekly board meetings are open and every student present can voice opinions and vote. Issues addressed have related to minority affairs, outreach to the community, graduation procedures, and numerous other topics.
In its first year SPHA has conduced e-mail surveys to solicit student views on a variety of issues including proposals for the allocation of the Student Technology Fee, potential interest in classes on scientific writing and grant writing, and nominations for the annual Outstanding Teaching Award. In addition, the association has organized the new student orientation, several workshops, a ski trip, and an intramural soccer team. Future plans include interdisciplinary seminars on management skills, public speaking, and delivering presentations; a proposal that the School hold its own graduation ceremony, community health activities, and hiking trips. For information, contact SPHA. Neli Ulrich (Epidemiology) chaired the 1996-97 SPHA board, whose members were Mark McMillan (Environmental Health), Vicki Luna (Pathobiology), Sabeena Setia (Epidemiology), Tom Braun (Biostatistics) Jennifer Harville (Health Services), and Theresa McCann (Epidemiology).
Members of the 1997-98 SPHA board are Whasun Chung, Andres Villaveces, Cheryl Anderson, Jawad Ashgar, Rhea Coler, Jennifer Harville. and Sabeena Setia.
Dr. Zhengui Xia Appointed to Sheldon Murphy Chair
Dr. Zhengui Xia, a pharmacologist and specialist in cell death, joined the faculty in January 1997 as the Sheldon Murphy Assistant Professor in Environmental Health. Her research on the mechanisms that trigger cells to destruct, an emerging area of scientific inquiry, will contribute to the department's strong program in the health effects of environmental toxins. After receiving her Ph.D. in pharmacology from the UW in 1991, Dr. Xia remained here for a postdoctoral year and then spent four years in a postdoctoral fellowship in neurobiology at Harvard Medical School. A native of China, she earned B.S. and M.S. degrees in biochemistry from Wuhan University.The Sheldon Murphy endowment honors the chair of the Department of Environmental Health from 1983 to 1990. Dr. Murphy was a great nurturer of young faculty, and the endowed chair allowed the School to recruit a scientist of exceptional promise.
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Created: 3/4/98 Updated: 7/15/99
