From the Classroom to the Community

Growing up 10 minutes away from Flint, Michigan State University Master of Public Health (MPH) student Nate Peterson feels a personal connection to the city. His interest in using interdisciplinary interventions to contribute to a community’s well-being and desire to see Flint thrive fuels his passion for public health.

In this Q&A, Nate shares his experience as both a Flint Registry team member and MPH student.

First Public Health Researcher in Flint Becomes Founding Chair of Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health

Jennifer Johnson was happy in her position as a professor of psychiatry at Brown University when Michigan State University came calling. Would she be interested in joining the College of Human Medicine in Flint where she could help build a public health program in partnership with the community? She said yes.

MPH Students Advocate for Public Health Legislation at State Capitol

On April 10, 2024, the Michigan Association for Local Public Health (MALPH) held its annual Day at the Capitol advocacy event in Lansing, Michigan. MALPH sponsored eight Master of Public Health (MPH) students to attend the event: Liz McCormick, Harsna Chahal, Anna Pantuso, Kendra Shannon, Erica Schuurman, Mariam Turkey, Katlin Harwood-Schelb, and Taegan Byers.

Influenza A: Bird Flu (H5N1): What You Need to Know About the Virus that Causes the Bird Flu

The H5N1 strain of avian influenza - or bird flu - was recently discovered in herds of diary cows across the United States, leading to the infection of a farm employee. Mohamed Satti, PhD, MSc, assistant professor in the College of Human Medicine's Master of Public Health program, explains what this means for the general public and discusses the virus's potential pandemic potential.

Student Q&A: Brenden Smith

After graduating from MSU’s James Madison College with a bachelor’s degree in social relations and policy, Master of Public Health (MPH) student Brenden Smith was inspired to pursue a career that combined his quantitative analysis skills with his passion for helping create healthier communities.

Now preparing to complete the program at the end of April, Brenden reflects on his MPH experience in this Q&A.

10 Years Later...MSU Experts are Available to Comment on What's Next for Flint

Michigan State University has a long-standing relationship with the city of Flint, Michigan. MSU Extension has been working with people in Genesee County for more than 100 years and continues to offer programs to help residents thrive. MSU Medical students have been studying, volunteering and working in the community since 1971. Over 300 students from the colleges of Human Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine and Nursing are engaged in Flint, along with faculty, staff and researchers.

Flint Rx Kids Receives Silver ADDY Award for Website

Congratulations to the Rx Kids communications team on winning a Silver ADDY® award for its online interactive website for consumers from the American Advertising Federation Greater Flint. 

The American Advertising Awards is the advertising industry’s largest and most representative competition, attracting nearly 30,000 entries every year in local AAF Club competitions. The mission of the American Advertising Awards competition is to recognize and reward the creative spirit of excellence in the art of advertising.

Improving Michigan Child and Family Outcomes

The Michigan State University Hurley Children’s Hospital Pediatric Public Initiative and the Flint Odyssey House have been awarded a total of $100,000 in research and service “sister” grants from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation. This community-academic team will evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Flint Odyssey House’s enhanced parenting services for pregnant and postpartum women receiving substance use disorder treatment in Flint and Saginaw, MI.

MSU Researchers Create a New Health Equity Evaluation Tool for Genesee County and the City of Flint

Community-based organizations, nonprofits, policymakers and local residents will benefit from the first Health Equity Report Card, or HERC, for Genesee County and the city of Flint. The online tool helps people understand the overall landscape of community health by comparing 50 health-related indicators from 26 public sources.

Flint Spartan Scholar Q&A: Alexandria Liquia

Michigan State University is excited to congratulate Alexandria Liquia as the 2023 recipient of the Flint Spartan Master of Public Health Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded to an incoming Master of Public Health (MPH) student who lives or works in the greater Flint community.

In this Q&A, she shares her experience as a Flint Spartan Scholar.

Key Mental Health Services Could Reduce Jail Time

Counties could save money and keep more people out of jail by improving access to community-based mental health and substance use disorder services, according to a study led by a Michigan State University College of Human Medicine professor. 

The study published by Psychiatric Services, a journal of the American Psychiatric Association, identified 59 recommended mental health practices, but found that United States counties, on average, offered only a few of them.  

From Public Health to Peace Corps

Immersive experiences in the field cannot be taught in a classroom. The key to becoming a successful global health professional is stepping out of your comfort zone and traveling somewhere new. Master of Public Health (MPH) alumna Jenna Koelsch, MPH ’23, is gaining meaningful experiences in the Peace Corps as an HIV/AIDS Youth and Adolescent Health Advocacy Volunteer in Lesotho, Africa.