Alumni, Networking and ....Mid-Terms

We all know they are coming, and yes they are stressful, but there is a certain satisfaction in accomplishing Mid-Terms. I named this post "Alumni, Networking and...Mid-Terms" and will certainly get right into the first couple titles...

Alumni/Networking:

So today the CPHSA (College of Public Health Student Association) hosted a meeting with Alumni from each of the departments with the College of Public Health. It was an eye-opening experience for me in terms of the variety of ages and paths each individual had taken in their Public Health journey. Some had been in the field and came back to get a degree (i.e. MPH) and others went right into a position (i.e. Health Analyst at Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Administrator at State Hygienic Lab, Epidemiologist and Strategic Planning at UIHC).

The one thing that I would say most important that I took away, was NETWORKING! I say this in terms of those Alumni that were there, about half obtained their positions by meeting people through their internship/practicum experiences while obtaining their degree. That is certainly how I have found and eventually obtained many of my internships and PH experiences the past few years and is something that I feel the College and personally my department of Health Management and Policy does well..

Mid-Terms

So it is Mid-Term season and things certainly are not letting up anytime soon, but I am definitely looking forward to tomorrow night for TGIT (Thank Goodness It's Thursday) because my department does not schedule classes on Friday's and it is the one night where I take a break from studying and go out and let loose a little before starting productivity for the weekend! Tomorrow a group of us have planned an unofficial St. Patty's Day outting where we will take over the down-town scene in our Green Gear and may or may not part take in some Irish traditions or at least what they have become in the U.S. of a couple drinks. It's always nice to know there is great downtown IOWA CITY to go to and get away from the academics sometimes and hang out with the family I have created with those in my department and in my terms, life-long partners in public health.

Hope you all are having a wonderful week and sending the Luck of the Shamrock with you!

Ryan

Checking In: Mid-Terms

Hi All,

As you might of noticed, there has not been much activity lately due to the amount of mid-terms and activities going on here at Iowa! It is hard to believe it has been a week, but I wanted to update you all on life and what has been going on.


Follow-up to Teen Suicides:

There was a candle-light vigil that I think I told you all about a few weeks ago on-campus but the discussion and issues are still circulating through the minds here at Iowa. This upcoming Tuesday, October 26, there is going to be a panel to discuss LBGT suicides. The information is below. This event reminds of why I picked Iowa to come to study my Master's programs, because of the open-minded community and ability to organize issues that are real and relevant to a campus-community. I know it may seem that I am highlighting this issue more than others, but it's more than me just being gay, it's part of a culture change that is occurring across our country. Everything from the recent activity with "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" to Iowa's ballot decision whether or not to retain judges is reason enough to keep this particular issue on people's agenda and up-to-date on the news. (When referring to Iowa's judges, there is a ballot initiative to either retain them or elect new judges. The current judges helped pass the legality of gay marriage in Iowa, and there are many who want to elect new judges. You can look at from either side, but I hope if your in Iowa reading this you will look into the decision a lot closer)


Panel to Discuss LGBT Suicides Oct. 26

The University of Iowa’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered (LGBT) Resource Center is sponsoring a panel discussion about LGBT mental health issues from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26 in the MacBride Hall Auditorium.

Networking and Health Symposium:

In addition to mid-terms this week, there were a lot of events occurring in Health Management and Policy, which is the department I am obtaining my MPH/MHA degrees. There were networking events all Thursday evening, ranging from an HMP Alumni network at Kinnick Stadium to a St. Luke's Hospital (Cedar Rapids, IA) sponsored Iowa Association for Healthcare Leaders (IAHL) networking event at One-Twenty Six restaurant. Both events were great opportunities to connect with fellow classmates but also with alumni of the program, professors and others from the College of Public Health.

Then on Friday, there was the Iowa Health Symposium which focused on "Physician Relationships" within hospitals. This is a very current topic, considering a lot of physicians are now forming group practices and also joining health systems as a way to stay competitive and share resources to serve patients better. Some of the take aways from the conference were:

• To always treat those you work with as "Care Givers" no matter status or position within the hospital because it takes everyone to make a patient's stay comfortable and safe. Another
• Turn metrics into measures
• Realize that not everyone is a leader, but make sure to make available those resources for physicians who may want to lead/you identify should be leaders within the organization.

Here is funny video one of the speakers told us to look up on "YouTube" which I thought was kind of comical, but reminds us to define things and research them before diving into any new situation or action:

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

Good Morning Good Morning,

Ryan