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 The Master of Public Health (MPH) Program at the University of Memphis accepted its first students in fall 2007. The MPH program integrates the academic study of public health theory with principles of public health practice in order to prevent disease, promote healthy lifestyles, and protect the community. Faculty engage in innovative, community-based research to identify best practices, inform public policy, and advocate for the underserved. (MPH Students in photo at right - Click image for larger view) Our student population is diverse.
Dr. Marian Levy is Director of the MPH Program, which is structured to meet accreditation standards of the Council on Education for Public Health. Accordingly, there are five core discipline domains: Biostatistics; Environmental Health; Epidemiology; Health Policy and Management; and Social and Behavioral Health. The program prepares practitioners to address public health concerns of the metropolitan mid-South, and students participate in research projects focusing on infant mortality; tobacco control; obesity prevention; and refugee resettlement.  The MPH program enjoys a strong relationship with the Memphis and Shelby County Health Department, as reflected in a monthly roundtable series “Public Health Academic Practice Bridges.” Academicians from the University of Memphis and public health practitioners share insights in research and best practices. Topics have included bioinformatics, geographic information systems (GIS), international tobacco control research, HIV prevention, and community health promotion for vulnerable populations. The MPH program has also partnered with the Health Department to spearhead community discussions based on the PBS documentary series Unnatural Causes, which investigates the sources of our alarming socioeconomic and racial disparities in health. Additionally, the Health Department serves as the primary location for MPH students’ practicum experience. To date, student practicum experiences have served in the areas of HIV prevention, breastfeeding, immunization, TB control, community health promotion, and emergency preparedness. (MPH Booth - Click image for larger view)
 Another strength of the MPH program is our emphasis on cultural competence. In partnership with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the MPH program offers a Health Care Interpreter Certificate Program at the University of Memphis for bilingual-bicultural individuals. Courses are offered in Basic and Advanced Interpreting. Also, in January 2008 the MPH program partnered with the Tennessee Association for Medical Interpreters to host a national training conference to facilitate advanced interpreter skills. Understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture was promoted among public health faculty and students via a seminar conducted in partnership with the Confucius Institute. Likewise, the MPH program participated in an educational exchange with Chinese public health practitioners through the 2008 Summer Institute in Tennessee- China Program. (Photo is Dr. Hsiang-te Kung of the Confucius Institute - Click image for larger view)
 Partnerships across campus include work with the Herff College of Engineering (Center for Biofuel Energy & Sustainable Technologies website); the Center for Earthquake Research Institute (West Tennessee Seismic Safety Commission); the Student Health Center; and the University of Memphis Crisis Management Team. (Photo to the left was taken at the TAMIT conference - Click image for larger view)
Community projects include collaboration with Memphis City Schools; Shelby County Mayor’s Infant Mortality Reduction Initiative; Shelby County Community Immunization Coalition; Shelby County Tobacco-Free Coalition; Tennessee Association of Medical Interpreters and Translators; Latino Memphis; the Refugee Empowerment Program; and the Adoption Center of the MidSouth.  Public Health faculty will present three papers at the 136th American Public Health Association (APHA) Annual Meeting in October 2008. Additionally, MPH faculty and three MPH students have had a total of five posters accepted for presentation at the 2008 Tennessee Public Health Association (TPHA) Conference. Future plans call for the Master of Public Health program to become part of a new School of Public Health at the University of Memphis. (MPH Booth at the Latino Memphis Event - Click image for larger view)
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