Cyber Monday and Homework!

Hello All,

So as I am sitting trying to get all my projects finished up here for the semester, I find myself lost in the Cyber Monday distraction that is pulling me away now for an hour of looking up things I can't afford and just shopping for fun! In the mix of everything, I found a funny video of nature at its best to help end my distraction and get me back on track.

Enjoy :)

Ryan

TSA and Pardoning the Turkey!

Good Morning!

I have included some funny bumper stickers about the TSA full body scanners and pat downs that seem to be the topic of talk on the news networks today, but wanted to focus on the Holiday that is upon most Americans, Thanksgiving!

What do you have to be thankful for, is it family, friends and act of kindness by another. Is it public health efforts that have saved millions of lives around the world, including clean drinking water and traffic signs that keep those traveling this weekend safe on the roads. Whatever your thankful for, remember there are those out there that still need to be reached by public health and that even in the United States, issues such as poverty are very real.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving and Safe Travels :)

Ryan

Thanksgiving and Windmills!

Hello All,

After a crazy couple weeks, it is finally Thanksgiving Break! To get the holiday spirit rolling, ISAHL (Iowa Student Association of Healthcare Leaders) held a holiday feast for the Health Management and Policy Department. I am spent my lunch hour making my (Mom's) famous Corn Casserole! I can't believe there are only a couple weeks left of this semester after Thanksgiving.

The days are getting colder and more windy. To adapt to the windy Iowa winters and overall weather, the group I am president of, ECO Hawk, teamed up with the Sierra Club to promote Wind Energy on the University of Iowa campus, Iowa and within Congress Policy. We helped form an Iowa "I" on Hubbard Park to promote the national campaign.

In addition, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar is going full force with offering offshore wind power permits expedited to spur Atlantic coast projects. To read more of this story, and many more that I always browse daily, visit HuffingtonPost.com or this link.

Have Happy Thanksgiving!

Ryan

Happy Friday - Final Buzz!

Hello all,

When you think you might have reached your limit on workload and capacity to balance everything in your life, there is always an example out there that pushes us to try even harder to accomplish are goals.

The video below was a reminder of when we put our minds to accomplishing a project, it can be done and efficiently! Project management is one the most fascinating topics for me, because it involves fluent communication, along with realistic goals (i.e. budgets, workload, etc.). This week was very busy with exams, projects and quizzes but through it all, I kept reminding myself I can get it done, but it wasn't without the support of classmates, friends and some red bull ;)

One thing grad school and particularly my program has taught me is to self evaluate your strengths, so you know where you excel and also can seek out help in the areas you are not so strong in. It's okay to admit when you don't know something, but I know a lot of times, it is hard to openly disclose those to others. So lesson from the week, admit what you don't know and what you do, it will help ease communication, work and life!

Happy Friday!

Ryan

Happy Friday and Election Week!

Happy Friday!

I hope all made it through mid-term election week and whether you were happy or sad on the results, I think we can all agree it will be in interesting next couple years. To lighten up the mood at the end of the work week and to transition into the weekend, I have included the video above of Meghan McCain on the "Tonight Show" with Jay Leno.

In other more relevant policy news and classroom time, I was reminded again by professor Dr. Kaskie of how important Public Health is in our society and how intricate public health measures are woven in the new health reform law (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act). Dr. Kaskie is my advisor and was guest lecturer of the law colloquium I am taking this fall. Some of the highlights from the lecture included :

• Government can purchase vaccines in bulk, but not prescription drugs
• Funds were approved to use medication to improve smoking cessation efforts aka (use drugs to get people from using another drug)
• $50 million is not a lot to implement new programs to all states

There is always going to be different opinions and compromises amongst federal agencies, states, city officials and individuals. A person has to realize that policy, especially those in public health, do not occur or evolve overnight and with patience and persistence we can make change happen and improve the HEALTH of our communities. A great example is tobacco policy, which has taken decades to transform a culture into everyday smoking to one that is hardly thought of as the norm.

I am interested to see how the rest of this year pans out on the news networks, but at least for now we can all rest and let the results of the mid-term election marinate on our brains for a bit!

Have a great weekend!

Ryan

Tube Tuesday!

Hello all,

As I was shopping this weekend, I tried to find the tubeless toilet paper rolls I had just witnessed on the evening news Sunday night. I unfortunately did not find them since Scott Tissue, who is making the product is only selling them at Walmart's and Sam's Clubs in the Northeast to see their market viability.

I thought the idea was simple and practical. It made me think of how far the "Green" movement has really come and how consumer demand can really make companies change they way they produce their products. I'm glad to see such change and hope that a story like this encourages you to recycle or use less of what y0u currently have to reduce, reuse and recycle. Ultimately, sustainability can save money, which I am sure it is doing for Scott by not putting that cardboard roll in the middle. Here is the full article if you want to read more: Kimberly-Clark Tube Free Rolls

Ryan

Trick or Treat Monday!

Hey all,

Here is fun story about how some parents and children are sorting and donating those pieces of candy they might not enjoy as much as others. You could almost call this a "Green" way to get rid of the candy you don't like. The article also goes on to describe how to maintain your candy indulgence.

Have a Happy Monday Morning!

Ryan

http://www.usatoday.com/yourlife/food/diet-nutrition/2010-10-27-halloweencandy27_ST_N.htm