CEHHS Welcomes New Chair of Health and Human Services Department

DEARBORN, MI. - On March 13, 2017, the College of Education, Health, and Human Services (CEHHS) welcomed Dr. Patricia Wren as the new Chair of Health and Human Services Department.

Dr. Wren earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in the management of public services from DePaul University in Chicago, IL.  Later, she completed her Master of Public Health (MPH) degree in Health Behavior/Health Education and her Ph.D. in Education both at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Dr. Patricia Wren, Chair of Health and Human Services Department

Her experience in the Health field started in the School of Public Health, at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor as Assistant Research Scientist. In 2006, she joined the faculty at Oakland University as an Assistant Professor in the Wellness, Health Promotion, and Injury Prevention Program.  In 2010, she was promoted to Associate Professor and named Program Director of the Applied Health Sciences Program and also became the first director of Oakland University’s Master of Public Health Program (MPH) program in 2013.  In 2016, Dr. Wren was promoted to the rank of professor.

Dr. Wren is delighted to continue her career in CEHHS, "This College understands that the health of individuals, families, and communities is fundamentally related to the strength of our educational systems, ease of access to health care, and the provision of robust human and social services", she said. 

She also encourages students to consider enrolling in one of the CEHHS' Health and Human Services programs: "Look for me in the schedule of classes, in the hallway, and at events. I look forward to working closely with everyone to help make a difference in our region."

Volunteers of America Awards CEHHS Staff

DETROIT, MI.- On Friday, March 3, 2017, Angela Capuano, PhD, LP, BCBA-D, and Jennifer L.S. Teller, PhD, represented the College of Education, Health, and Human Services (CEHHS) at the Volunteers of America (VOA) Technical Planning Session for Health Professionals Opportunity Grant (HPOG).

The planning session was held at the Wayne County Community College District - Northwest Campus in Detroit. During the meeting, Drs. Capuano and Teller were honored with the HPOG Champions award for their work in training HPOG participants and identifying placement opportunities.

HPOG is administered by the Administration for Children and Families, US Department of Health and Human Services, to provide education and training for healthcare occupations that turn into a career. Volunteers of America HPOG strives to support participants and their families to ensure successful completion of healthcare training programs and positive retention of meaningful employment in Wayne County.

HPOG’s slogan is “Together, we are ending generational poverty through healthcare careers.” In addition to other partners, CEHHS has been assisting Volunteers of America with the HPOG training opportunities. This year, CEHHS offered training slots to HPOG participants for the Registered Behavior Technician training. Next year’s plans include expanding the opportunities to other certificate, undergraduate, and graduate programming associated with healthcare careers.

HPOG participants are a) individuals receiving federal cash assistance, b) military veterans who are experiencing low income or homelessness, or c) individuals who are at or below 130% of the Federal Poverty Line. Over the five-year grant period, HPOG will support 1,250 individuals.

Supportive services provided by HPOG to participants include training fees, dependent care stipend, vehicle repair, training supplies, uniforms, medical screening, background checks, exam fees, books, and transportation assistance.

Center for Disparity Solutions and Equity Urges to Rework Metro Detroit Pedestrian Infrastructure

Detroit Eastern Market. Photo by: HB Meeks

DEARBORN, MI - As a response to an article published on Daily Detroit about Detroit being listed as the least healthy city in America, three members of the College of Education, Health, and Human Services' Center of Disparity Solutions and Equity (CDSE) decided to write an Op-Ed to present their recommendations to help Metro Detroit pedestrians achieve a healthier and safer way of life.

In their article, Janine Janosky, Dean of the College of Education, Health, and Human Services (CEHHS), Jennifer Teller, CEHHS Program Manager and Darrin C. Winston Jr., Public Ally for the CDSE stated that more efforts should be made to make streets safe for walking. The area of Detroit-Warren-Dearborn had an increase in the number of pedestrian fatalities within the last two years.

"Ironically, this is when health experts are encouraging Americans to walk more to prevent chronic diseases and obesity", the authors said.

Read the full article Time to Rework Our Pedestrian Infrastructure For Healthier Communities and To Save Lives in Daily Detroit.

 

Downtown Detroit Free Press Marathon. Photo by: HB Meeks

 About the Center of Disparity Solutions and Equity:

 The CDSE—a community-driven organization developed by the University of Michigan-Dearborn, College of Education, Health, and Human Services—proudly partners with community, corporate, education, government, health and wellness organizations spanning the Detroit area, the State of Michigan and the United States. Working in collaboration with these stakeholders and through the application of leading-edge research, the CDSE seeks to implement actionable solutions by way of innovative programs and policies, systems and environment best practices and responsible evaluation mechanisms—among other channels.

Eugene Rogers Speaks on Art, Engagement, and Community

DEARBORN, MI - “Great art should do more than entertain.  Great art should provoke thought.”   University of Michigan Associate Professor of Conducting Eugene Rogers engaged an audience in the College of Education, Health, and Human Services (CEHHS) on January 18, 2017 in an exploration of the role of art in society and art’s potential to inspire civil discourse about challenging issues.  Students, faculty, and staff from the University of Michigan-Dearborn as well as the Frederick Douglass Academy were in attendance.

Dr. Eugene Rogers

Rogers guided the audience through his process of creating the documentary, Love, Life & Loss, on the University of Michigan Men’s Glee Club’s production of Joel Thompson’s multi-movement work, The Seven Last Words of the Unarmed.  After seeing portions of the documentary, CEHHS students described the work as “moving” and “inspirational.”  Thanks to a grant from the Hub for Teaching and Learning at UM-Dearborn, most of the participants will attend the premiere on February 12, 2017 at the Max Fisher Music Center in Detroit.

Quan Neloms, a veteran social studies teacher in the Detroit Public Schools, commented on the educational impact on his students, “As a teacher, I endeavor to expose my students to varying mediums to promote critical thought.  Dr. Rogers’ presentation not only introduced my students to the fine arts, but also engaged them in a way that was pertinent.  The young men from the Frederick Douglass Academy walked away with a new experience and new ways to think about social issues.”

The event was sponsored by the UM-Dearborn Office of Student Engagement, the Office of Metropolitan Impact, the Hub for Teaching and Learning, and the College of Education, Health, and Human Services.  Free tickets to the premiere of The Seven Last Words of the Unarmed at Orchestra Hall are available to UM-Dearborn students in the Office of Student Engagement.  Faculty and staff may purchase tickets for $5.00.

CEHHS would like to thank Julie Anne Taylor, professor of education, for coordinating the visit by Eugene Rogers.

Dr. Eugene Rogers directs the University of Michigan Men's Glee Club

Quicken Loans present Internship Opportunities to CEHHS Students

QL representatives talk with students about internship opportunities

DEARBORN, MI - Representatives from Quicken Loans visited the College of Education, Health, and Human Services (CEHHS) to present the hands-on internship available for this coming summer.

Chris Carline and Emily Bliss hosted an information table on January 11th from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM in the second floor lobby of the Fairlane Center South building to share information and answer questions to approximately 30 CEHHS students about their internship opportunities at Quicken Loans.

QL Representatives, Chris Carline and Emily Bliss

 Three months ago, Dr. Susan Everett, Chair of the Department of Education, and Dr. Stein Brunvand, Director of Master's Degree Programs for CEHHS, met with representatives from Quicken Loans and were able to tour some of the company's owned properties in downtown Detroit to learn about the culture and climate of the work environment where interns are placed. Interns gain real world experience by working on authentic tasks with a designated team.
 

Quicken Loans training teams are looking for internship candidates that want to make an immediate impact. They offer a variety of paid internship opportunities, including facilitation, instructional design, training coordination, and instructional technologist.  Students can apply for summer internships online.

The internships also include opportunities to learn about the city, participate in volunteer activities in the community and enjoy many of the wonderful events that downtown Detroit offers.

QL representatives explain to students about the opportunity to gain
real world experience through their internships.

If students are interested in learning more about Quicken they can sign-up for a company tour organized by the Office of Career Services.  The tour is scheduled for Friday, February 3rd from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM and students should contact Katie Hayes (katiehay@umich.edu) for more information or click here to RSVP.

Dean Janosky Serving on Federal Advisory Committee

WASHINGTON, D.C - For more than two decades, Dr. Janine E. Janosky, Dean of the College of Education, Health, and Human Services at U-M Dearborn, has served on Advisory Panels for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), primarily in medical devices.

 Dr. Janosky serves on the Medical Devices Advisory Committee (MDAC), focusing on areas from dental products to orthopedics. According to the Committee charter, MDAC reviews and evaluates data on the safety and effectiveness of marketed and investigational devices and makes recommendations for their regulation.

The Committee is made up of 18 panels. Currently, Dr. Janosky serves on the Medical Devices Dispute Resolution Panel. This panel provides advice on complex scientific issues between the Food and Drug Administration and medical device sponsors, applicants, or manufacturers relating to specific products, marketing applications, regulatory decisions and actions by the FDA, and Agency guidance and policies.

 

Dean Janine Janosky

Through her work on MDAC, Dr. Janosky has contributed to the review and advisory recommendations to FDA on the approval of medical devices as well as provided guidance to industry and FDA on a number of scientific issues.

 U-M faculty and staff who are serving on a Federal Advisory Committee live out U-M's mission to serve the state, nation, and world by applying their knowledge and expertise to help shape and inform national policy.

Full Biography:
Dr. Janosky is an expert in achieving impactful health initiatives and in implementing higher education programs and initiatives. Previously, Dr. Janosky served as the Vice President and lead of the Center for Clinical and Community Health Improvement at Austen BioInnovation Institute in Akron (ABIA). Through her leadership, a national model focused upon public-private-philanthropic partnerships was developed and implemented, and named an Accountable Care Community. Her work was recognized in Forbes and earned her a United States White House Champion of Change recognition as well as a number of other state and national awards. Also, Janine served as the Vice Provost for Research at Central Michigan University (CMU) where she led the effort to facilitate research opportunities, administer intellectual property activities, direct university commercialization endeavors and technology transfer activities, and develop innovative educational programs.

Prior to joining CMU, Dr. Janosky served in a number of academic and administrative roles at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.  These included serving as the Executive Director of the University of Pittsburgh School Of Medicine’s Center for Primary Care Community-Based Research, an entity she envisioned and created. Janine holds a doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh, a master’s from Marshall University, and a bachelor’s from Duquesne University. Janine serves in a number of board leadership roles including the Dispute Resolution Panel for Medical Devices, the Food and Drug Administration, ATHENA International, Unified, and many more. She has authored or co-authored more than 175 biomedical peer-reviewed publications, published a scholarly book, been recognized through numerous awards, and has secured as a Principal Investigator or as a Co-Investigator on more than 50 federally-funded grants and contracts.

"CEHHS Talks Series" on Mental Health Has a Successful Start

DEARBORN, MI - On December 7, 2016, The College of Education, Health, and Human Services (CEHHS) in conjunction with the Center for Disparity Solutions and Equity (CDSE) sponsored the first in a three-part series of CEHHS Talks focused on mental and behavioral health, advocacy, and support. As a part of campus, community, state, and national advocacy work regarding health and equity, CEHHS and the CDSE are partnering with regional leaders in addressing mental health and mental illness as a part of individual health, and campus and community support of equity and inclusion.
 

Dr. Creekmore talking with one of the attendees

More than 30 participants attended the first of the three talks featuring Dr. Mark Creekmore,Adjunct Faculty and Lecturer for the Center for Political Studies; School of Social Work, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He also served as Board President of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Washtenaw and Board Member of the Washtenaw County Community Health Organization (WCCMH). Dr. Creekmore's presentation focused on the nature of the mental health policy environment, the role of policy as regards health and inclusion, as well as the impact of stigma on individual mental health and the health and productivity of our communities.

Attendees received information about new certificates
and training opportunities offered by CEHHS

He also highlighted the role of formal and informal advocacy, as well as the importance of developing positive policy as a community, region, and nation in support of mental health. The talk closed with a Q&A and discussion guided by CEHHS Dean Janine Janosky, regarding the issues addressed as well as details of the upcoming Mental Health First Aid training courses offered by CEHHS in 2017. 

The second presentation of CEHHS Talks is scheduled for January and it will focus in mindfulness, meditation and mental health.