Noteworthy

Kate Nye, a health sciences major, is an Olympic champion. She won a silver medal in the women’s 76-kilogram/156-pound weightlifting event at the Tokyo Olympics. The 22-year old established herself as a top contender in the sport of weightlifting, becoming a world champion in 2019. Photo provided courtesy of Sophie Hume.

Dr. Elise Brown, assistant professor of wellness and health promotion, is part of a group of OU researchers who used data from medical studies around the world to examine the impact of resistance training on type 2 diabetes risk. She served as faculty mentor to Raza Qadir, a recent OUWB graduate and the paper’s lead author. Their findings were published in the journal Sports Medicine.

Dr. Thomas Schenk, assistant professor and director of the environmental health and safety program, provided expert commentary in an article about workers' compensation insurance on AdvisorSmith.com. He shared insights on steps employers can take to improve worker safety and health in workplaces, and the role individual employees play in their own personal safety. 

OU's Human Health Building has been selected as the winner of the 2021 Best of Rochester Award in the category of science by the Rochester Award Program, which recognizes local businesses that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.

Michelle Southward, director of academic advising and student services, is this year's recipient of the Outstanding Administrative Professional Award, which recognizes an individual that has been at OU for more than six years, and has demonstrated extraordinary effort in support of the university's mission and strategic plan. Southward has served at OU for nearly 20 years, and has made outstanding contributions to the campus community and beyond.

Kelli Dowd, coordinator for student services, leadership and engagement, is the recipient of the 2021 New Administrative Professional Award. This award is presented to an individual who has worked for the university for three years or less and has demonstrated achievement beyond the call of daily tasks and responsibilities, contributed unique ideas and a collaborative work ethic, and displayed promising leadership qualities.

Professor Florence J. Dallo, director of wellness and health promotion, commented for a story about the community vaccine rollout on WXYZ-TV7 in Detroit. She was also recently cited in an article by courthousenews.com on the alarming spike in COVID-19 cases in Michigan. Dr. Dallo said new variants and COVID fatigue were the main reasons for the latest surge.

OU's fifth annual Interprofessional Education Workshop on opioid abuse took place virtually with nearly 300 students participating from a variety of health-oriented academic programs. This year's event was focused on Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome. 

EHS student Karly St. Aubin was awarded a 2020 scholarship by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals Foundation, which annually supports high-achieving students aspiring to become safety professionals.

Assistant Professor Chris Wilson, P.T., DPT, DSc.P.T., was named one of twelve physical therapists worth watching in 2021 by WebPT. Dr. Wilson co-authored the newly published book, Physical Activity and Rehabilitation in Life-threatening Illness, which is a comprehensive summary of the recommendations for best practice, and current evidence, for physical activity and rehabilitation of functional deficits in individuals with end-stage diseases. 

Since we were unable to gather in-person for commencement, we celebrated virtually on December 18. The School of Health Sciences Fall 2020 Virtual Commencement Celebration video features a keynote address by Ms. Telva McGruder, chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer at General Motors, and vice-chair of the school's Board of Advocacy and Resource Development.

Florence J. Dallo, Ph.D., professor and director, wellness and health promotion, was featured in an insightful article titled “Racism impact: No longer a Black/White issue” that appeared in Downtown Publications.

Dr. Kevin A. Ball, dean and professor, was interviewed by Oakland County Megacast on a variety of topics, including Healthology 2020 “Beyond COVID-19: Igniting Innovation in Health” held on November 12.

Jessica Jannaman, SHS '08, '14, was named a 2020 National Safety Council (NSC) Rising Star of Safety, which recognizes the next generation of safety leaders who demonstrate safety leadership and are dedicated to continuous improvement in safety. She serves as chair of the EHS Industry Advisory Board.

Annie Fuelle, SHS '20, has been selected as the recipient of the inaugural Honors College Humanitarian Award, which was established to recognize students who have demonstrated “sustained humanitarian involvement” during their time at OU.

OU's Environmental Health and Safety program helped Chase and Jessica Salazar transform their shared passion for helping others into successful careers as EHS professionals. The couple pursued degrees in Occupational Safety and Health.

Stephanie Mabry, SHS '10, and Dr. Nicholas J. Siekirk, SHS '12, were named as awardees of the Young Alumni “10 Within 10” class of 2020 by the OU Alumni Association's Young Alumni Chapter. These awards recognize the exceptional impact that OU alumni make within their professions and throughout their communities. 

Dr. Kristin Landis-Piwowar, associate dean and professor of clinical and diagnostic sciences, has been named ASCLS –Michigan Member of the Year by the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science. The award recognizes an exceptional clinical laboratory scientist in Michigan who is active in professional, civic, and non-professional activities.

EHS graduating senior Ciara Bazinski was one of six students selected to receive a 2020 scholarship awarded by the Michigan Safety Conference, a volunteer organization dedicated to promoting the improvement of workplace safety and health practices in the State of Michigan.

Dr. Elise Brown, assistant professor of wellness and health promotion, was interviewed about her research on grip strength as a predictor of diabetes by Consultant360, a direct-to-practitioner messaging platform designed to provide timely and relevant clinical information to improve patient care.

In a recent video interview on Civic Center TV and 89.3 Lakes FM, Professor Jennifer Lucarelli talks about helping create a local emergency food system to reduce potential COVID-19 transmission for those in need. For her tireless efforts in serving the community during this public health crisis, Dr. Lucarelli was named WJR Radio’s first “Hometown Hero” in collaboration with Sanders Candy.

A new report by college ranking website GradReports.com shows that recent graduates of OU's public health master’s program and its related bachelor’s program earn among the highest median salaries in the nation compared to other recent graduates in those fields.

As part of OU's COVID-19 response, Jennifer Lucarelli, Ph.D., associate professor and chair, Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, has helped transform the Oakland Center into a collaborative food distribution center. The Detroit Free Press recently published Dr. Lucarelli's opinion editorial on the current emergency food system.

Elise Brown, Ph.D., assistant professor of wellness and health promotion, is the lead author on a new research study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine that establishes grip strength cut points to assess diabetes risk in apparently healthy U.S. adults. 

MPH student Paola Nkwuzor, who oversees the Parent University as part of the OU-Pontiac Initiative under the direction of Teresa Rodges, was recently featured on WDIV-DET Local 4 News to showcase free classes on nutritional cooking. 

Deborah Doherty, PT, Ph.D., an associate professor with the Physical Therapy Program, chaired OU's fourth annual Interprofessional Workshop on Opioid Abuse.

CDS senior Annie Fuelle helped launch the Future Leader Dogs Club to allow OU students to raise puppies that will become guide dogs through Leader Dogs’ training program.

CDS student Arwa Hadid was awarded first place in the Professional category for the American Society of Microbiology's 5th Annual Agar Art Contest. Hadid's stunning microbial art was also featured in Smithsonian Magazine.

This video showcases the Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science undergraduate degree program, which explores physical fitness and human movement through hands-on experience.

A new Dual Degree "4 + 1" program enables students to earn a bachelor’s in Wellness and Health Promotion and a master’s in Public Health in just five years. 

Darryl Hill, Ph.D., CSP, environmental health and safety lecturer, was honored with the Distinguished Service to Safety Award, which is the highest professional award given by the National Safety Council. 

EHS students Ciara Bazinski and Ryan Papiernik were among 13 recipients to be awarded scholarships by the National Safety Council.   

OU TV Focus on Faculty details the academic journey of Dr. Daniel Goble, creator of BTrackS and associate professor of exercise science. 

Beth Black, PT, DSc, associate professor of physical therapy, is an advocate of community health promotion, co-teaching a course for those living with Multiple Sclerosis. 

With a focus on promoting a community-based approach to health education, DPT students learn from patients and caregivers at a physical therapy workshop. 

SHS student Sam Howell, an accident survivor, along with Michigan State Police, discuss the dangers of distracted driving. 

For class credit, SHS students create a short video encouraging daily exercise and healthy eating as part of February's Heart Health campaign.

With the goal of curbing the nation's growing opioid epidemic, SHS students and faculty participate in the second annual Interprofessional Workshop on Opioid Abuse. 

This video showcases the 2018 Healthology Symposium. This event provides a culminating focus for SHS faculty, students and community partners to celebrate impactful research and scholarship that affect health outcomes. 

Following an extensive evaluation, the Master of Public Health program earns accreditation by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). 

SHS brings together more than a dozen leaders in health to form a new Board of Advocacy and Resource Development (BOARD), which will help support academic, research and community engagement programs. 

Jennifer Lucarelli, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of the Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, has been named to the Oakland County Executive’s Elite 40 Under 40 Class of 2018. 

Caress Dean, Ph.D., joins SHS as a new assistant professor of public health. The Bahamas native conducts research on cardiovascular disease prevention and management.  

OU's EHS program and alumni were recognized for excellence in research, scholarship and service by the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE).

OU and the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) form a new alliance to foster growth of workplace safety and health occupations. 

Sprout Fresh Food Store, a Pontiac-based produce market, hosts an event featuring free produce taste testings, prizes, recipe ideas and more. 

EHS students Erika Cleary and Mary Asher were awarded the grand prize by the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) for their poster highlighting research on indoor air quality.  

OU's School of Health Sciences hosted the inaugural Healthology Symposium. The event provided an opportunity for aspiring professionals, alumni and health leaders to explore contemporary health challenges and discuss the complexity of health within its varied contexts.