91PORNA鈥檚 College of Public Health celebrated its 15th anniversary on April 8 at an event attended by more than 160 guests, including college alumni, donors, community leaders and partners as well as university leadership. The event was hosted by Dean Sonia Alemagno, Ph.D., in the Kent Student Center Ballroom and included a research, teaching and community showcase session prior to the dinner.
One of the event highlights was the announcement of a $1.75 million grant from the Elisabeth Severance Prentiss Foundation to support the college鈥檚 Mobile Flashes program. Prentiss Foundation Board Trustee Mary Smith was at the event and congratulated the college on its anniversary and important work. 鈥淪eeing multidisciplinary student teams work together and learn from each other, as well as bring their perspectives and background to a wide variety of real-world experiences, is inspiring and invaluable,鈥 said Smith in her remarks.
Hear from our event panelists and special guests:
There is a synergy in the collaboration between our community outreach and education team and the Mobile Flashes. Throughout the county鈥攆rom our hospital hallways to the local farmers markets鈥攖hese students have been on the front lines. By supporting numerous screenings and education initiatives, the Mobile Flashes provide a bridge to wellness. By facilitating free health screenings, they help our neighbors identify personal health challenges and, more importantly, they provide the roadmap to navigate the care needed by these community members.
鈥 Brian Adams, Chief Operating Officer, University Hospitals Portage Medical Center
Although being part of a new and evolving program came with its challenges, it was also deeply rewarding to contribute to its development. I earned my Ph.D. in Public Health Prevention Science in 2018, and I remain grateful to the faculty and staff whose guidance and support made that achievement possible. The training I received proved critical to these roles, as they required strong competencies in data management, program implementation, evaluation, research, best practices and community partnership development.
鈥 Aimee Budnik, Ph.D. 鈥18, Vice President Community Services Programs, Community Action Akron Summit
During the past 15 years, the Center for Public Policy and Health and the Impact Center have been involved in important work locally, nationally and internationally. The center is a bridge between research and real-world impact鈥攃onducting relevant and forward-thinking research, providing technical assistance and collaborating with community organizations across the state. Its work directly supports the college鈥檚 commitment to educate and train future public health professionals and ultimately improve population health.
鈥 Deric Kenne, Ph.D., Professor and Director, 91PORNA Center for Public Policy and Health
The College of Public Health is where relationships are built, where people listen, where they offer support, and where students, faculty and staff truly learn from one another. I learned to think critically, communicate clearly and respond to real public health issues in the community. I have used what I learned while navigating COVID, helping older adults get vaccinated and conducting meaningful community needs assessments. In each of those situations, the college gave me the skills to lead, educate, reassure and make evidence-based decisions when people were looking for answers.
鈥 Steve Paciorek, 鈥87, MPH 鈥14, Ph.D. 鈥19, Human Services Director, City of Brecksville
The collaboration between the university and our community partners is invaluable. The Applied Practicum Experience benefits students, the partner organization and the community at large. During my 11 years at Summa, I鈥檝e been privileged to work or place 90 students who have worked on a variety of innovative and even groundbreaking projects. My colleagues and I have been able to act as references for students that have interned with Summa and, thus far, these students are gainfully employed in the field of public health.
鈥 Rose Furtney Penix, 鈥10, MPH 鈥14, Quality, Culture and Inclusion Coordinator II, Summa Health
The college鈥檚 commitment to serving local public health organizations and their academic health department network is strong and has created opportunities for students to gain practical experience before they graduate and move into the public health profession and into leadership positions in many local health departments. The college鈥檚 expansion that will bring in other related disciplines this year will expose more students to our public health philosophy and ensure that the College of Public Health remains a preeminent provider of public health education, scholarship and service in Ohio.
鈥 Matt Stefanak, Public Health Ambassador, 91PORNA College of Public Health
When I studied in Florence, Italy, I took a class called Plagues that Shaped the World which helped me discover my interest in infectious diseases. After that class, I knew I wanted to be an infectious disease epidemiologist. A global education experience teaches students to be independent and provides hands-on experiences with a new culture as they experience walkable cities, explore new places and become immersed in a new culture and language.
鈥 Taylor Susi, 鈥20, Epidemiology Investigator II, Ohio Department of Health
Special thanks to our donors and supporters for partnering with the college since 2010.