UNMC to observe National Public Health Week

“A Healthier America Begins Today! Join the Movement” is the theme of this year’s National Public Health Week, which will be celebrated with an event every day next week.









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A series of events designed to highlight the various aspects of public health will be held at UNMC next week, which is National Public Health Week.
This is the second year the UNMC College of Public Health has coordinated campus and community events to raise awareness about issues affecting the health of our communities.

The week’s schedule is below.

Monday

A lunch and panel discussion will be held at 11:30 a.m. at the South Omaha Library (2808 Q St.). UNMC faculty, staff, and students will join members of the Omaha community to discuss issues that affect the health of children, adolescents, women, and families. To attend, contact Elizabeth Kix at elizabeth.kix@unmc.edu.

Panelists will be:

  • Mary Balluff, Douglas County Health Department
  • Willie Barney, The Empowerment Network
  • Kerri Peterson, Live Well Omaha
  • Carolyn Rooker, Nebraska Voices for Children
  • Jennifer Skala, Nebraska Children and Families Foundation
  • Fawn Taylor, Building Bright Futures-Early Childhood Services

Tuesday

A screening of the new documentary “The Apple Pushers” will be held at 5 p.m. in the Maurer Center for Public Health, Room 3013. The film is the story of five immigrant pushcart vendors who joined a unique initiative to increase the availability of fresh fruits and vegetables in New York City’s food deserts. Goodwill donations will be split between the student association and a charity of their choice. Apple pie and milk will be provided to the first 50 individuals.

Wednesday

A presentation of the “This is Public Health” game show runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Maurer Center for Public Health, Room 3013. Teams of faculty, staff and students will answer questions about public health. Lunch will be provided to the first 50 individuals. To form a team, contact Claudine McCarthy at claudine.martin@unmc.edu.

Thursday

A storytelling workshop for students, which will focus on writing and telling a great public health story, runs from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Maurer Center, Room 1001.

Friday

Laura Howard, administrator of the Region VII Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration will present as part of the Great Plains Public Health Training Center Leadership Speaker Series at noon in the Maurer Center, Room 3013. Howard will discuss issues of mental health and substance abuse. Lunch is provided to the first 80 individuals. Her presentation can be viewed online.