MANAGED CARE - Pitt Med's Derek Angus (BCHS '92) contributed to a first-of-its-kind, hematology-based cellular biomarker that is designed to help emergency department physicians identify patients with sepsis or who are at increased risk of developing sepsis. Compared to the traditional method of reviewing white blood cell count alone, the Early Sepsis Indicator strengthens a clinician’s suspicion of sepsis by 43 percent.
Jamie Sokol (BCHS ’07) currently serves as an administrator for workforce development and training at the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD). In this role she is responsible for ensuring quality internships and other experiential learning opportunities for Pitt Public Health students, including through the Pittsburgh Summer Institute, a 12-week structured program that matches students to ACHD projects. Her volunteer contributions have gon...
In conjunction with Dean's Day, Margaret Carr (EPI '22) was awarded the Center for Public Health Practice Award for Translation and Application of Research to Public Health Policy and Practice. In addition, Emily Fitzpatrick (EPI '19) and Abisola Olaniyan (BCHS '21) were awarded with the Catherine Cartier Ulrich Memorial Award for Service to the Underserved.
Congratulations to first place winner Jessica Thompson (BCHS ‘20). Second place was awarded to Sarah Minion (EPI ‘19) and third to Abisola Olaniyan (BCHS ‘21).
Congratulations to Dean's Day winners in the master's category. Receiving first place is Beth Hoffman (BCHS ‘23). Second place was awarded to Kevin Stoner (HPM ‘19). Third place was given to K evin Sullivan (EPI ‘19).
Alexa Furek (MPH '21) received the prize for the master's category and Yuae Park (PhD '20) received the doctoral prize.
CONTEMPORANEITY - Pitt students Héctor Camilo Ruiz Sánchez (BCHS/Anthropology '20), Paulina Pardo Gaviria (history of art & architecture)
Rosa De Ferrari (BCHS/GSPIA '18), and faculty advisors Kirk Savage & Patricia Documet (BCHS) published on their recent Photovoice work connecting Latinos from different origins with each other and with the University of Pittsburgh while also taking a step toward creating a Latino presence in Pittsburgh’s pub...
PA DEPARTMENT OF AGING - Research conducted by BCHS’s Steven Albert for the commonwealth's Healthy Steps in Motion (HSIM) falls-prevention program has led to evidence-based approval from the National Council on Aging’s National Falls Prevention Resource Center, placing it on the pre-approved list for future federal funding. In multivariate models, HSIM participation reduced falls incidence by approximately 28 percent.
REUTERS - "This is an important paper, if a state has legislation that allows terminally ill adults to request medication to hasten death, there needs to be a policy from each hospital on how they will respons. This is one of the first studies to address that," said BCHS Chair Steven Albert.
Congratulations to Jessica Thompson (BCHS '21) and Stephanie Lynn Corey (EPI '19) for winning awards at this year's Health Disparities Poster Competition!
ASPPH FRIDAY LETTER - Research led by Beth Hoffman (BCHS '19, '23) finds that anti-vaccination arguments on social media aren't all about autism, but instead center on four distinct themes that can appeal to diverse audiences, offering a framework that pediatricians can use to open a conversation with parents who are hesitant to immunize their children.
BCHS's Richard Zimmerman and Jonathan Raviotta (BCHS '18) and Patricia Nowalk (EPI '81, '93) are among those who recently published research that says that hundreds of deaths can likely be avoided if older adults wait until October to get their flu immunization. Since the protection offered by the vaccine wanes as the season progresses, waiting until closer to the start of the season ensures greater immunity.
U.S. NEWS AND WORLD REPORT - People who voice their anti-vaccine sentiments online range from conspiracy theorists to parents who have safety worries or interests in alternative medicine. Investigators, including Beth Hoffmann (BCHS '19), came to that conclusion after looking into a viral Facebook attack targeting a Pittsburgh pediatric practice that posted a video encouraging HPV vaccination.
THE GERONTOLOGIST - Leighton C, Fields B, Rodakowski JL, Feiler C, Hawk M, Bellon JE, James AE's results showed that organizational context and electronic health record capability were instrumental to the CARE Act implementation and integration into workflow. This study can help to inform others as they design and improve their compliance and implementation strategies.
BCHS associate professors Mary Hawk and Tiffany Gary-Webb participated in the provost's recent event, “A Celebration of Newly Promoted Women Faculty.” Sponsored by the Provost’s Advisory Committee on Women’s Concerns (PACWC), the event featured a panel of accomplished women professors offering perspectives and advice for successful academic careers and then introduced the recently promoted women among the faculty. The event was part of Pitt's on...