Michelle Thompson

Public health grads thrive: 91% land jobs or advance degrees, fueled by interprofessional education

mthomp7 — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 20:30:24 +0000

Public health grads thrive: 91% land jobs or advance degrees, fueled by interprofessional education mthomp7 Thu, 10/24/2024 - 16:30

In This Story

Melissa J. Perry, Sc.D., MHS

College of Public Health 2023 Graduates Report Strong Career Outcomes

Grads report positive career outcomes

Graduates from the George Mason University College of Public Health are thriving, with 91% of undergraduates and 85% of graduate students reporting positive career outcomes in 2023. This marks a significant increase from the previous year, with undergraduate outcomes rising by nearly 5%. As the only interprofessional College of Public Health in Virginia, Mason's programs offer a unique, comprehensive approach that prepares students to excel in today’s dynamic healthcare landscape.

Grads are landing jobs and pursuing advanced degrees in their field

Of those employed after graduation, 92% of undergraduates and 90% of graduates reported working in positions or pursuing a degree directly related to their career goals, demonstrating an improvement from the previous year. Notably, INOVA remains the top employer for Mason graduates, reflecting the strong ties the College maintains with regional healthcare institutions. The College is located near a wide array of employers – ranging from large government agencies to private industry – making it an attractive location for new grads to build fulfilling careers. Learn more about May 2023 graduate McKenzie Lauber (pictured below), who was deeply involved in research at the Social Work Integrative Research Lab at George Mason and is advancing her education in George Mason's Advanced Standing Social Work program.

May 2023 graduate McKenzie Lauber was deeply involved in research at the Social Work Integrative Research Lab at George Mason and is continuing her studies in George Mason's Advanced Standing Social Work program.

CPH experience fueled career success

Students have highlighted the importance of coursework, clinical experiences, engagement with faculty, and academic advising in their preparation for successful careers. 87% of undergrads agree or strongly agree that their CPH experience contributed to their success in getting (or advancing) in their current position. Graduates agreed that course work and hands-on learning opportunities played a key role in preparing them for success. One 2023 graduate shared, “The hands-on experience I gained through my practicum and the guidance from faculty prepared me to confidently step into the workforce. I felt ready to make a real impact from day one.”

Interprofessional education leads to exciting careers

Melissa Perry, dean of the College of Public Health, remarked, “These outcomes demonstrate the strength of our programs in preparing students for impactful careers. As the only interprofessional College of Public Health in Virginia, we are proud to see our graduates excel in fields that are shaping the future of public health.”

The College is home to essential careers of the future that are growing faster than average, such as health informatics, social work, public health policy analysis, nutrition epidemiology, and community health work. With nurse practitioners, data scientists, and health informatics specialists projected to see job growth rates over 30%, Mason graduates are well-positioned for long-term career success. These career opportunities align closely with the college’s commitment to interprofessional education, which equips students to address complex public health challenges in innovative ways.

The college continues to foster education in emerging fields and ensures that its graduates are prepared to lead in careers that prioritize innovation, community health, and long-term sustainability in public health.

Learn more about 5 global, interprofessional health careers of the future.

Topics

Bachelor of Social Work

alumni

career outcomes

Career Plans Survey

Immerse yourself in the possibilities

mthomp7 — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 15:44:54 +0000

Immerse yourself in the possibilities mthomp7 Thu, 09/28/2023 - 11:44

Read Dean Perry’s recent commentary in the Richmond Times Dispatch where she relays her journey from skeptic to advocate for VR’s potential to make it easier to scale health education and graduate more career-ready practitioners -- especially in light of a shrinking health workforce and multiple public health crises.

In This Story

Melissa J. Perry, Sc.D., MHS

Liza Wilson Durant

Bethany Cieslowski, DNP

The College of Public Health + Fuse at Mason Square accelerate potential for Virtual Reality-enhanced learning opportunities

The College of Public Health at George Mason University is an early mover in integrating virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) into student learning and workforce development. As the College expands its VR capabilities to reach every student, Fuse at Mason Square (Mason’s ambitious 345,000+ square foot innovation space in Arlington’s Rosslyn-Ballston corridor) is a natural home for cutting-edge VR and AR designed for innovative curriculum, partnerships, and community engagement.

In Fall 2023, Dean Melissa Perry launched a bold initiative to offer VR-enhanced experiences to every student in the College – and a $10 million fundraising campaign and partnership development initiative to make it possible. For Dean Perry and the team of innovators in the Virtual Reality and Simulation Lab, having an ambitious vision is the first step in making that plan a reality.

“Virtual reality is a game-changer for public health education, and the College is leading the way in creating innovative curriculum and custom content that is woven into the learning experience by certified experts in VR facilitation,” says Dean Perry. “Reaching VR’s full potential will require key partnerships to accelerate the adoption and integration of this dynamic technology.”

Despite the unlimited potential of VR and immersive technologies in the learning environment, there are three very real constraints in scaling quickly: developing custom content and curriculum; certifying more faculty in VR facilitation; and securing additional space to accommodate more learners.

“Building creative industry partnerships in these areas can be a win-win for everyone involved,” says Bethany Cieslowski, chief innovation officer for immersive technologies at the College. “Content, space, and certified faculty are three critical components to successfully scaling VR capabilities – and areas where collaboration with our communities will be key.”

“Fuse at Mason Square is designed to support cross disciplinary collaboration to fuel innovation. The vision for the VR initiative at the College of Public Health and its application of advanced technologies to the student experience and training is accelerating innovation in education,” says Liza Durant, associate provost for strategic initiatives and community engagement. “Mason is building our innovation spaces for immersive technologies, such as VR and simulation labs, to support applications with impact on the R&D efforts of the University and our partners, as well as education, workforce development and training initiatives with broad impact across all fields.

Custom content and curriculum

VR is only as effective as the scenarios the students experience during a simulation – and creating a single scenario is a laborious process that can take days, weeks, or months depending the specificity of the objectives to ensure every interaction meets the associated learning objectives. Industry expertise and engagement from the community are necessary for this type of innovation and present a rich opportunity for collaboration.

“Innovation and idea-sharing across the public-private sector will be invaluable in developing a state-of-the-art curriculum that delivers career-ready graduates that meet employers’ evolving needs,” says Dean Perry. “Partnerships can help us address critical professional development, recertification, or accreditation needs of our neighboring health systems or government agencies.”

It may be surprising to learn that content development represents a significant portion of the total cost to deliver quality VR-enriched teaching. Working with industry leading VR-developer SimX, the College has created a library of scenarios and custom case content required for a school or college of public health. “To realize the full potential of VR and meet the urgent needs of this moment, we need to accelerate the innovation process by dedicating more resources to content development and execution,” says Dean Perry.

Certified faculty and simulation educators

Excellent content is the tip of the iceberg in delivering effective VR-enhanced learning. To fully leverage the potential of VR, highly skilled facilitators and simulation educators are vital – and often operate behind the scenes to create realistic learning experiences. Certified simulation facilitators deconstruct and reconstruct critical details of each scenario with evidence-based practices, building the foundation for successful learning and driving home the lessons from each immersive VR experience.

The College is building deep faculty expertise in facilitating VR simulations that address required competencies and learning objectives. Currently, the College has four Healthcare Simulation Educators with Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE) credentials on staff. The Sim Educators design and deliver high quality simulations; assess, and evaluate the learners; deliver the educational objectives with respect to the highest industry standards; and continually seek to improve the simulation experience.

Cieslowski, who is also a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator, envisions working in partnership with the private sector to meet the growing need for certified faculty. “Expanding and augmenting clinical learning opportunities with immersive technologies can alleviate some of the practical limitations associated with clinical placements,” says Cieslowski. “Further expanding our team of certified trainers will allow Mason to fulfill its mission of offering high quality VR simulation to every student who wishes to experience this innovation.”

Space to explore and expand

Ironically, teaching with Virtual Reality requires space. If you’ve ever completed a VR scenario, you know how vital it is to move freely and safely while remaining immersed in the learning experience. On average, a student needs 24 to 36 square feet to fully experience a simulation. Some scenarios, such as training for a mass casualty situation where multiple students are “in the same scenario,” can require even more room to maneuver. After every simulation, faculty and students debrief in a room dedicated to walking through student performance in detail and identifying opportunities to improve the next time around.

Established in 2021 as Virginia’s first interprofessional VR/Sim Lab, the College began by delivering innovative VR and high-quality simulation to nursing students and quickly expanded to additional degree programs in the College of Public Health.

The VR/Sim lab’s current infrastructure encompasses more than 1,500 square feet of dedicated VR/Simulation lab space. It includes the SimX VR platform, Oculus Quest 2 portable VR headsets, projectors, and gaming laptops. The library of VR cases provides nursing exposure to specialty areas, medical-surgical training, and interprofessional custom cases addressing opioid abuse and LGBTQ2+ health care.

To meet the growing demand for simulations in Fairfax and across Mason’s physical campuses, the Dean will extend the VR Sim Lab capabilities by using space in Research Hall on the Fairfax Campus and Fuse at Mason Square.

Expanding our impact virtually and around the region

Dean Perry sees unlimited potential in what the College can achieve with committed partners. “We look forward to having presence throughout the region, particularly at the Fuse innovation space, to reinforce our strong community relationships and reduce barriers to broader and rapid VR adoption.”

To discuss partnership opportunities regarding virtual reality, please contact Bethany Cieslowski at bcieslow@gmu.edu.

Topics

Fuse at Mason Square

digital innovation

Tech Talent Investment Pipeline (TTIP)

TTIP

Tech Talent Investment Program

Julie Kaplan to lead fundraising efforts for College of Public Health

mthomp7 — Wed, 01 Mar 2023 16:02:13 +0000

Julie Kaplan to lead fundraising efforts for College of Public Health mthomp7 Wed, 03/01/2023 - 11:02

On March 6, 2023, Julie Kaplan will join the College of Public Health as the senior director of development. In her new role, Kaplan will develop fundraising priorities and strategies; lead campaign strategy for University fundraising initiatives; and oversee the stewardship of donors and prospects.

During her career in philanthropy, Kaplan has worked with individuals, corporations, and foundations across major gifts, direct mail, sponsorship programs, and special events. She comes to the College from The Army Historical Foundation, where she served as the Vice President of Major Gifts and helped support a $250M Capital Campaign for the National Museum of the United States Army.

As Washington, D.C. native, Kaplan is excited to support Virginia’s largest and growing public educational institution. She is particularly interested in supporting Mason student success and working closely with College alumni and members of the College advisory boards to achieve Mason’s philanthropic priorities.

An avid traveler, Kaplan has visited over 40 countries and spent 5 years living overseas in Asia and Europe with her husband, two daughters, son, 2 cats, and dog. Kaplan is a graduate of Lafayette College, where she has a BA in International Affairs.

Topics

Advancement

Pandemic emergency food benefits end as Nutrition Month starts

John Brandon Cantrell — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 19:10:06 +0000

Pandemic emergency food benefits end as Nutrition Month starts John Brandon C… Tue, 02/28/2023 - 14:10

In This Story

Evelyn Tomaszewski, MSW, ACSW

Kerri LaCharite, PhD

Erin D. Maughan, PhD

Topics

food insecurity

Department of Nutrition and Food Studies

Department of Social Work

School of Nursing

SNAP benefits

Food and Nutrition

Poverty and Inequalities

March 1 end of program will impact millions of Americans–predominantly families and people of color

Millions of families rely on food pantries, even after the height of the pandemic. Photo Credit: Emily Bartenfelder, George Mason University BSW '20

On the same day National Nutrition Month kicks off, millions of individuals and families in the U.S. who currently receive benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assessment Program (SNAP) will see a decrease in their federal food benefits. On March 1, pandemic emergency allotments to SNAP are set to end–cutting benefits by $90 per month per person (on average).

Despite SNAP emergency allotments, many Americans still face food insecurity

During the COVID-19 public health emergency, food insecurity rates doubled overall throughout the nation and tripled in households with children. Congress originally enacted emergency allotments (EAs) during the pandemic to provide economic stimulus and address food insecurity. However, data shows that even though EAs kept more than 4 million people “above the poverty line,” according to a study from the Urban Institute, millions of Americans still experienced food insecurity and lived below the poverty line.

Evelyn Tomaszewski, MSW, assistant professor of social work in the College of Public Health at George Mason University, underscores the severity of the issue, saying: “Food insecurity was prevalent during the pandemic and will remain a serious concern in a ’post-pandemic’ world, particularly among households with children–who were most likely to face food insecurity during the pandemic–as well as communities of color (per USDA data).”

“When you are struggling to balance rent and daily living expenses, a loss of $168 or $190 can translate to hardship and extreme food insecurity,” said Tomaszewski. “In 2022, 9% of the population of Virginia, or 1 in 11 persons, accessed SNAP benefits. We are talking about our neighbors, our students, and our colleagues.”

A study by American University found that by the end of 2021, Americans were paying an average of 12 percent of their income on food; for lower-income wage earners, it was closer to 36 percent.

In 2023, an estimated 34 million people (including 9 million children) still remain food insecure, and the cost of food is expected to rise by 3.5 percent - 4.5 percent, according to the USDA.

Vulnerable populations already adversely affected by COVID will see the biggest impact

“Our country’s vulnerable populations have been the most affected by COVID and inflation. Those who live significantly below the poverty threshold, including households with children headed by single women and Black and Hispanic households, rely on SNAP benefits to make sure there is food on the table,” said Kerri LaCharite, PhD, associate professor of Nutrition and Food Studies in the College of Public Health.

LaCharite and Tomaszewski are also concerned for populations that will likely dip below the poverty line when EAs end, including college students, seniors living on a fixed income, and individuals with disabilities.

Mason Social Work students volunteer at food pantry during COVID-19 pandemic.

College students who qualified for the emergency allocation will also lose their benefits on March 1, when those defined as “able-bodied adults without dependents” will again be limited to a three-month limit of benefits. According to the College and University Food Bank Alliance, more than 30% of college students were food insecure in 2019, even before the pandemic.

Older adults and persons with disabilities saw a decrease in SNAP benefits when they received “long overdue (and still minimal) increase to social security benefits.” With the end of EAs, benefits will be cut (on average) by $168.00 per month for households with adults aged 60 and older and (on average) $190 per month for persons with disabilities.

The impact of food insecurity is long-lasting for children and adults. “The long-term effects of food insecurity will affect health outcomes. In children, food insecurity is associated with cognitive problems, higher risks of being hospitalized, asthma, behavioral problems, depression, poorer general health, among a longer list. In non-senior adults, food insecurity is associated with diabetes, hypertension, mental health issues, high blood cholesterol levels, and poor sleep,” said LaCharite.

Food banks, schools, and community support - How will individuals, families, and communities meet the need?

Erin Maughan, PhD, associate professor of nursing in the College of Public Health, works with K-12 school districts and school nurses and is particularly concerned about the impact on school-aged children, school systems, and the employees who may already be stretched thin.

“With SNAP emergency funds decreasing, it could increase the number of students or amount of food schools will provide students. Schools already are a safety net for food (breakfast and lunch), and some provide food backpacks for the weekend. Of greater concern is how it will impact mental health and learning. When children are hungry, they can't concentrate; down the road, it could also be an issue of malnutrition,” said Maughan

“Families are going to need to fill the gap somehow,” says LaCharite. “We have seen this in the past. It will likely mean increased reliance on food banks and pantries, skipping meals, and a significant decrease in the consumption of fruits and vegetables. Food insecure families buy less fruits and vegetables and buy more nonperishable staples as their budget for food shrinks.”

People are losing a significant amount of support money available via the SNAP EA, resulting in increased reliance on food banks (which are also consistently reporting both increased need and decreased donations.) While many of our area emergency food providers saw a temporary dip in need in fall 2021, they also experienced a large increase in patrons seeking food in the spring of 2022 as inflation rates started to rise.

What can be done to help?

March 1 is also the start of National Social Work Month, and Tomaszewski sees an important role for social work students and faculty–and beyond. In addition to donating to area food banks, there are ways that members of the community can help those experiencing food insecurity.

“At the macro or systems level, everyone can advocate for the Commonwealth of Virginia to add funds to the program that not only ensures SNAP benefits (at least) similar to the SNAP EA levels but also expands coverage to those that will be losing benefits, such as ‘able-bodied persons’ and college students,” says Tomaszewski.

She also sees an important role for those in the College of Public Health and beyond. “Social work students, and students throughout the College, directly work with those who will be affected by this policy change and/or who are at risk for food insecurity. At the individual level, social work students and allied professionals across the College can learn about food insecurity and available benefits, and ensure that clients know what is available, such as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and SNAP.”

As the country recognizes National Social Work Month and National Nutrition Month, it is also an opportunity to recognize, support, and advocate for our neighbors, our students, and our colleagues who continue to experience food insecurity across the United States.

Coming Full-Circle: A Career Dedicated to Making Health Visible, Bookended by Two Pandemics

Mary Cunningham — Mon, 09 May 2022 20:18:57 +0000

Coming Full-Circle: A Career Dedicated to Making Health Visible, Bookended by Two Pandemics Mary Cunningham Mon, 05/09/2022 - 16:18

Dr. Germaine Louis gives a patient a COVID-19 vaccine at the Mason and Partners Clinic vaccination event with Prince William Health District on February 23, 2021.

As Dean Germaine Louis retires at the end of the 2021-22 school year, we reshare this story where she reflects on the similarities in the beginning and end of her career.

When Germaine Louis became Dean of the College of Health and Human Services, she never envisioned serving during a pandemic like COVID-19. “Certainly, when I accepted the position in 2017, a pandemic was not on my horizon—what was on my horizon was bringing together the College’s faculty, staff, and students to become a college of public health.”

When asked about leading the future college of public health during COVID-19, Louis is quick to point out that the COVID-19 is not the first pandemic in her lifetime or her 30+ year career as an epidemiologist, referencing the AIDS pandemic which peaked in the U.S. while Louis was completing her graduate studies. “Becoming an epidemiologist during the AIDS pandemic was impactful for me on so many levels, as this new infectious agent disproportionately took the lives of young men and women. I sadly recall the stereotyping and other shaming actions on the part of some towards affected individuals. As a reproductive epidemiologist, I understood why individuals with risky behaviors were often being blamed for their disease, and I recall with great pride the many scientific advances that led to successful treatment and a more compassionate understanding of AIDS."

“Of course, COVID-19 is very different from AIDS in many regards with a larger susceptible population and its airborne transmission,” says Louis. Still, COVID-19 is an important reminder why public health is essential for contemporary life. “COVID-19 has taught us that it’s almost impossible to imagine a world without a strong public health infrastructure to protect the health and safety of all people.”

Louis credits the College's faculty, staff, students, and alumni for their many contributions in fighting COVID-19 and protecting communities, saying “I’ve been incredibly impressed with everyone in the College each of whom has stepped up to make sure we deliver on our academic mission and one that includes practice and community service.”

Leading by example, the Dean has also been active in the University’s response to COVID-19 – from helping develop Mason’s randomized surveillance testing plans to administering vaccines for the community at the Mason and Partner Clinics. Louis can clearly see how her early career as a nurse and then as an epidemiologist led to this moment.

“I used to tell my nursing colleagues that being a nurse made me a better epidemiologist. What I’d learned in a hospital setting really helped me design better study protocols when focusing on clinical populations. I could think about what it meant to implement a research protocol in a hospital setting for busy nurses and physicians or patients under varying stages of duress. And I really do think that my experience as a nurse was formidable in the success that I experienced with clinical studies (e.g., Buffalo Women’s Health Study, ENDO Study, and NICHD Fetal Growth Study). What I didn’t expect at the time was that I would be using some nurse skills as an epidemiologist in responding to a pandemic,” says Louis.

She reports that prior to volunteering at the MAP Clinic vaccination events, after years of not administering an intramuscular (IM) injection, she was required to refresh her injection skills and have her competency checked. “All of a sudden, I was very anxious about vaccinating after years of not doing so as some technical guidance had changed. Mason’s student nurses were a great source of reassurance, and they shared tips with me. I have found that early training really never leaves you, and it kicked in when I needed it most. It does remind me of the importance of lifelong learning.

Louis shares a story about an opportunity to also bring her training in reproductive epidemiology to bear while vaccinating a group of early childhood workers. A young female worker asked if Louis had a few moments to talk with her after her vaccination. She wanted advice on when to safely begin trying for pregnancy following her vaccination. “And I thought, 'Now that is something I know about,’” said Louis.

Dr. Germaine Louis began her career in nursing before becoming an epidemiologist.

After 30 years as a reproductive epidemiologist and working with couples trying for pregnancy, she was reminded how desperate people are for reliable information about pregnancy-related exposures and lingering data gaps. “My advice to her was that healthy pregnancies and babies start with healthy women and mothers. And, first and foremost, unless there is a contraindication from her physician, the woman was doing the right thing to ensure her own health by being vaccinated. I could see the woman’s smile behind her mask and knew there was a good chance she would take that message back to sisters, friends, and coworkers who may have similar questions about the vaccine.”

“It is rewarding to think about taking nursing skills to epi and now epi skills back to nursing,” says Louis.

When asked for advice she would share with future generations of men and women about empowering women who wish to make history in science, health, and leadership - Louis’ response is simple and clear: mentorship.

“I know what made a difference it made in my life – and that was having a mentor (who happened to be a man) who believed in me. When I was worried about finishing my dissertation, he was already talking about my first faculty appointment—before I was even thinking about a position. When I was in my first faculty position and worried about tenure, he was already talking about my next career move. Having someone believe in you or to see something in you that you may not see in yourself is impactful - you need to pay attention to that.”

Louis believes that academicians have an obligation to seek out students who may have natural leadership abilities or who otherwise have a skillset or narrative that sets them apart and to talk with them ... encourage them for even more. “We should support everyone, but we will always need leaders,” she says. “We also need to do a better job of cultivating hunger in our graduates. By that, I mean helping students really think about and become excited about pursuing a career beyond having a job.

Louis closed the conversation by sharing a story about Ruth Kirschstein (former director of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, deputy director of National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the 1990s, and acting director of the NIH in 1993 and 2000-2002) who during a presentation to female leaders at NIH once said that women sometimes need to ‘remind people to think of you.’ “Her advice has always resonated with me,” said Louis. “It’s ok to self-nominate or to apply for positions even if not invited to do so, as long as you have the qualifications.” Louis also says that women can help others by nominating them for awards and special recognitions. “Most nominations take time and effort to do well," cautions Louis, “But, if we don't create a culture of recognition for women and for future women leaders then we will never have the same recognition as others.”

Topics

coronavirus; covid-19

Epidemiology

Public health leadership

Public Health

College of Health and Human Services

CHHS News

College of Health and Human Services Hosts Transforming Public Health Workshop

John Brandon Cantrell — Wed, 23 Mar 2022 19:25:14 +0000

College of Health and Human Services Hosts Transforming Public Health Workshop John Brandon C… Wed, 03/23/2022 - 15:25

Convening area leaders to rebuild public health infrastructure

As the region approached the second anniversary of declaring a state of emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic, the College of Health and Human Services convened academic, health department, and philanthropy leaders to discuss the current public health priorities and opportunities to partner in transforming the region’s public health infrastructure.

“The College believes in the power of partnerships to deliver and promote the public’s health and that no one discipline has all the answers,” said Germaine Louis, Dean of the College, in her opening remarks. “Partnerships in Northern Virginia will be a win-win strategy as we work together to develop the much-needed health workforce and harness the power of data.”

The workshop was designed to bring the three critical stakeholder groups together to discuss the role of data and technology, workforce development, and philanthropy in addressing the most pressing priorities shared by the health department directors. The conversation was the first step in identifying solutions and developing actionable plans for the near future.

Michael Fraser, CEO of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, expressed his gratitude for the commitment of the health directors throughout the pandemic as well as his optimistic view that “transformation is possible.” Fraser shared that the pandemic has reinforced state, local, and federal commitment to transform in the areas of health equity, public health infrastructure, and data modernization—and now is the time to act!

Area Health Department Directors Share Priorities

In the first of three panels, the participating health directors discussed workforce challenges, including the shortage of nurse practitioners, particularly in rural areas, and the pervasive need for mental and behavioral health services. The need for on-going workforce development for the current health workforce was a common theme, including opportunities for just-in-time training, workforce retention initiatives, and effective communication strategies.

The group discussed health equity-related challenges, including the demand for a public health workforce that strives for equity in all policies and that helps stakeholders understand the “why” behind health equity initiatives. Participants examined the mind set shifts needed to bring health equity to the region as well as implications for policy, service delivery, and community members in traditionally over-represented populations.

Communication and education about the social determinants of health and their impact on community health were also cited as challenges that health directors seek to address, noting the need to simplify scientific information for the public’s benefit. The health directors explored the rapidly expanding role of data in public health and the increased need for analytical and decision-making skills in the public health workforce as well as the ability to clearly and accurately communicate the meaning behind the data.

Perspectives on Addressing Challenges

The second panel comprising faculty from the College and Advisory Board Members explored strategic opportunities to address the Health Department’s priorities for transforming public health relative to workforce development; health equity; and data, analytics, and technology.

From a workforce development perspective, the panel explored opportunities for collaboration between health departments and academe. Participants discussed providing students with real-world experience via internships and practica, as well as partnerships to identify the evolving skills, capabilities, and credentials the workforce will need in the future. The College is offering and will continue to develop accessible degree programs that deliver career ready graduates. The College can help with ‘upskilling’ the current workforce through specific training or by offering focused certificate programs or micro- credentials for the current workforce desiring more targeted training.

The health equity panel noted that a multi-level approach is needed and discussion focused on the many stakeholders involved in equity beyond a strict health focus. The Panel discussed the importance of technology in delivering health equity, the central role of community health workers, and the important role that academia plays in informing interventions and economic policies to address inequities in care delivery and policy. Faculty discussed their role in developing system-level thinkers who can approach today’s challenges, such as health equity, with complex analytical and problem-solving skills.

In terms of data modernization, panelists raised questions about what the public health data infrastructure is and how modern analytics and technology can offer solutions

moving forward. Discussion focused the importance of a data-ready and analytically-prepared workforce that gathers meaningful data for curation and harmonization into public health applications that positively impact the public’s health rather than keeping data in silos. The panel discussed the need to ask the right questions and to understand who will be using the data. Also, interdisciplinary collaborations are needed to prepare future public health leaders for decision-making, including the rapid emergence of technologies, like telehealth and artificial intelligence, witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Role of Philanthropy in Meeting the Moment

The third panel featured philanthropic leaders who shared their vision for how foundations and non-profits can partner in the transformation process with contributions that span well beyond their grant-making capabilities. Coalitions, convenings, relationship-building, data, and research are all benefits of partnering with the philanthropic sector to transform public health. Another emerging opportunity for foundations is helping to articulate the message, and funding the initiatives of community coalitions.

The workshop concluded with a call for further collaboration in service to the many opportunities identified throughout the day. For those who wish to learn more about opportunities to partner in the transformation of public health, please contact Dean Germaine Louis at glouis@gmu.edu.

Summary and Next Steps

During the open discussion following the panels, a number of great points were made and several themes emerged relative to a new conceptual basis for public health through the design and implementation of innovative initiatives centering on workforce, health equity and data modernization, as noted below.

Public Health

Sentiments were articulated that called for all to be proactive in remaining connected with public health and in telling our story, including what does and does not work well. We need to continue to show up, to listen and strategize, and to share power and responsibility amongst stakeholders. Both biomedical and social drivers of health and well-being need to be incorporated into public health initiatives and that will mean new collaborators from non-traditional public health disciplines, including: agriculture, housing, transportation, parks and recreation (built environment), urban planners, and businesses/employers. Philanthropy can use its voice to support of public health in their role as trusted neutral brokers.

Moving forward, we need strategies to prepare for the next pandemic as well as the impact of macro stressors such as climate on health. Such initiatives might engage multicultural advisory committees for perspective and to ensure stakeholders have a voice. Sustainable funding along with nimble contracting procedures are essential in maximizing the impact of public health, and in helping to ensure we maintain our identity in the context of friction. Lastly, moving forward will require leveraging existing and new resources and expertise to put principles into practice to ensure health and wellness, coupled with an accompanying safety net to deliver health equity.

Workforce

A new skillset is needed for both the current and future public health workforces as are strategies for upskilling the existing workforce and ensuring career ready graduates. Academe can prepare students for public health careers but bidirectional communication is needed to ensure needed skillsets aligns with coursework and practicums, while meeting accreditation standards. Academe can develop and offer credit-bearing (or not) certificate programs or micro-credentials to address current workforce needs, such as the forthcoming Master of Public Health concentration in health equity and social justice. Repeated calls were made to ensure the future workforce has contemporary skills reflecting best practices for data analytics including visualization and interpretation, communication with native and non-native English speakers, health literacy, community engagement and trust, policy, and advocacy.

Health Equity

Recognizing the many disciplines that comprise public health and equity, the field will need new partners to tackle systemic and structural factors that impede social and health equity. Best practices are needed and communicating the specifics and impact of health equity to decision makers is needed. It is timely to be designing equity impact plans targeted to communities and to gather support from stakeholders.

Data, Analytics, and Technology

Data modernization techniques are needed to design the public health data structure and to leverage available and non-traditional databases (e.g., administrative) along with more typical public health registries and databases (e.g., vital registration, cancer registries). We can be thinking about digital health innovation opportunities so that initiatives can be designed to be effective, efficient, equitable, and safe. Telehealth opportunities are an excellent way to reach underserved populations and are likely to remain post-pandemic and become an acceptable component of clinical care. In terms of health informatics, there are exciting opportunities to use AI and machine-learning tools to design and deliver equitable health.

Workshop Agenda & Participants

Panel 1: Health Directors’ Panel Discussion – Top 3 Priorities Moving Forward

Gloria Addo-Ayensu, M.D., M.P.H., District Director, Fairfax Health District *
Alison Ansher, M.D., M.P.H., District Director, Prince William Health District*
Michael Fraser, Ph.D., M.S., Chief Executive Officer, Association of State and Territorial Health Officials
David Goodfriend, M.D., M.P.H., District Director, Loudon Health District
L. Trice Gravatte, M.D., Health Director, Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District
Christopher Revere, M.P.A., Deputy Director for Innovation and Planning, Fairfax County Health District
David Rose, M.D., M.B.A., Director, Alexandria Health Department
Robert Sharpe, Chief Operations Officer, Arlington Health District
Reuben Varghese, M.D., District Director, Arlington Health District

Panel 2: Mason Faculty & Advisory Board Response – Possible Strategic Initiatives for meeting Health Department Needs

Workforce Priority

Carolyn Drews-Botsch, Ph.D., M.P.H., Chair & Professor, Department of Global & Community Health, College of Health & Human Services, George Mason University
Michael Fraser, Ph.D., M.S., Chief Executive Officer, Association of State and Territorial Health Officials*
Emily Ihara, Ph.D., M.S.W., Chair & Associate Professor, Department of Social Work, College of Health & Human Services, George Mason University
PJ Maddox, Ed.D., Chair & Professor, Department of Health Administration & Policy, College of Health & Human Services, George Mason University
Robert Weiler, Ph.D., M.P.H., Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, College of Health & Human Services, George Mason University

Health Equity Priority

Robert Blancato, M.P.A., President, Matz Blancato & Associates*
Gilbert Gimm, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Health Administration & Policy, College of Health & Human Services, George Mason University
Sharon Lamberton, M.S., Deputy Vice President, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America*
Michelle Williams, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Global & Community Health,
College of Health & Human Services, George Mason University
Hong Xue, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Health Administration & Policy, College of Health & Human Services, George Mason University

Data Platforms, Analytics, and Technology Priority

Anton Arbatov, M.H.A., Senior Vice President Customer Success, Clarity, Inc.*
Alicia Hong, Ph.D., M.P.H., Professor, Department of Health Administration & Policy, College of Health & Human Services, George Mason University
Praduman Jain, Chief Executive Officer & Founder, Vibrent Health*
Rebecca Sutter, D.N.P., Associate Professor, School of Nursing, College of Health & Human Services, George Mason University
Jinshan Tang, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Health Administration & Policy, College of Health & Human Services, George Mason University
Janusz Wojtusiak, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Health Administration & Policy, College of Health & Human Services, George Mason University

Panel 3: Philanthropic Leaders’ Response – Intersection of Philanthropic Missions with Public Health

Eileen Ellsworth, J.D., President and Chief Executive Officer, The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia
Susie Lee, M.P.H., Executive Director, Potomac Health Foundation*
Patricia Mathews, B.A., President and Chief Executive Officer, Northern Virginia Health Foundation
Robin Mockenhaupt, Ph.D., M.P.H., Robin Mockenhaupt Consulting, LLC*

* indicates Dean’s Advisory Board Member

Topics

CHHS

Healthcare Workforce Development

Public Health

Department of Nutrition and Food Studies Faculty Teach Sustainable Food Practices in Suburban Virginia and Sub-Saharan Africa

Anonymous — Thu, 05 Aug 2021 14:44:35 +0000

Department of Nutrition and Food Studies Faculty Teach Sustainable Food Practices in Suburban Virginia and Sub-Saharan Africa Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 08/05/2021 - 10:44

The old proverb says that if you teach a man to fish, you will feed him for lifetime. But, when facing rapidly escalating climate change, complex food systems, omnipresent food advertising and slowing evolving food policies—simply teaching someone how to fish is no longer sufficient.

More than 7,500 miles apart in drastically different environments, two Department of Nutrition and Food Studies faculty members strive to teach individuals and communities sustainable food practices that address the many complex issues that shape our knowledge, attitudes and behaviors about food.

LaCharite (pictured center) and students participate in the Virginia Food Systems Leadership Institute in 2018. (Photo credit: Kelly Kogan)

In the suburbs of Northern Virginia, Kerri LaCharite, PhD, teaches Mason students the importance of understanding “wicked problems” and the how factors like health, the environment, economics and food system are interconnected.

“This kind of systems thinking focuses students’ attention on the many ways relationships between factors may play out and acknowledges that root causes are results of other events, behaviors or feedback loops,” explains LaCharite.

However, LaCharite encourages students not to be overwhelmed when trying to make sustainable food choices. “There is so much that we [each] can do to help shape the food system. Eating less meat and dairy is a great start. You don’t need to be a vegan or vegetarian to make a difference. For some it might be doing a meatless meal once a week. For others eating a plant-based diet during the week and saving meat consumption for the weekend to be really savored, would be a great step,” said LaCharite. “On average a serving of processed red meat is 40 times the negative environmental impact than a serving of vegetables. Health would be an added benefit from eating less meat. Eating an additional serving of processed red meat raises the relative overall mortality rate 40%.”

In addition to helping students shape their individual knowledge, attitudes and behaviors, LaCharite wants students to understand the important role that policy plays in the food that is available to us and what we choose to eat. She points to the role that local, state and federal policy in the foods offered in our public schools and universities and children’s exposure to food advertising at a young age. She is actively involved in the Virginia Food Systems Leadership Institute, a 4VA collaborative of five Virginia institutions with a mission to harness the intellectual, human and economic capital of Virginia’s colleges and universities to foster the emerging local food economy in the Commonwealth.

Across the globe in rural Kenya, where more than 60% of families are food and nutrient insecure, Constance Gewa, PhD, studies the nutrition of mothers and children. To address the threat of malnutrition and pockets of increasing obesity rates in sub-Saharan Africa, Gewa teaches sustainable food-based strategies to improve food security and nutritional, health and developmental outcomes.

In rural Kenya, Gewa teaches sustainable food-based strategies to improve food security and nutritional, health and developmental outcomes.

“We advise mothers worldwide to breastfeed exclusively for six months,” says Gewa, “But mothers in rural Kenya say ‘if we are hungry how are we to breastfeed our children?’ Food insecurity creates a fundamental challenge in achieving this goal.”

To help shape knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors about food production, Gewa considers the interconnected factors that affect food and nutrient security in rural Kenyan villages. This includes cultural practices, policy and government’s role, crop yield and how to maximize it, and affordability and access to sustainable agriculture and nutritional practices. With this larger picture in mind, Gewa and colleagues have cofounded a program to teach mothers of young children climate sensitive agricultural practices and the best foods to select for their environment and soil.

In partnership with Kenya’s Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Health-Nutrition Unit, Gewa trains women from low-income households to become lead farmers in their villages, who then train others. “The women’s families own small parcels of land, often less than 0.25 acres, and they learn to sustainably prepare and farm the land. They learn to plan ahead of the first rainfall to plant their seeds and how and when to effectively use animal manure, prepare and preserve their produce. They grow traditional African vegetables, which are more tolerant to drier growing conditions as opposed to kale, beans, and maize, which are all very water intensive to grow,” says Gewa.

Gewa’s program is developed with a deep understanding of the culture, where vegetables are considered ‘women’s crop’. The program gives women the chance to be leaders in their communities, to build confidence and stature, and to be advisors to one another.

“We want to give them skills to be successful so they can feed themselves and their families and earn a living,” she explains.

Women who participate in the program have a chance to be leaders in their communities and to be advisors to one another.

In 2021, Gewa received a Mason curriculum impact grant to study to build a Master of Science concentration in engaging locally with food, energy, water and climate and is building the experiential component of that program now.

LaCharite and Gewa’s approach for teaching more sustainable food practices is the 21^st century version of teaching a person how to fish in helping people understand the complex web of factors that are shaped by their decisions of what foods to grow and eat.

In fact, LaCharite further underscores the importance of teaching systems thinking: if every person actually followed the USDA’s dietary recommendations for fish consumption, “global wild-catch fish stocks would be depleted, there would be a greater ecological footprint from unsustainable practices in aquaculture, and a healthy food source would be lost or unstable.”

Click here to read the full interview with Kerri LaCharite.

Topics

College of Health and Human Services Department of Nutrition and Food Studies

College of Health and Human Services

Sustainable Food Systems

New Study Shows Pinterest Users Pin Healthy Recipes But Are More Likely to Make the Unhealthy Ones

mthomp7 — Mon, 17 May 2021 11:38:44 +0000

New Study Shows Pinterest Users Pin Healthy Recipes But Are More Likely to Make the Unhealthy Ones mthomp7 Mon, 05/17/2021 - 07:38

In This Story

Hong Xue, PhD

Lawrence J. Cheskin, MD

Y. Alicia Hong, PhD

Janusz Wojtusiak, PhD

Study found that users liked and pinned posts that were healthy but more heavily engaged off-line with recipes that were high in fat, sugar, and total calories. Findings indicate that users were more like to actually cook the less healthy recipes.

New Study By Hong Xue Shows Pinterest Users Pin Healthy Recipes But Are More Likely to Make the Unhealthy Ones

When it comes sharing recipes on social media, what users post, and what they cook may be two entirely different things. That’s the conclusion of a recent study from George Mason University’s College of Health and Human Services, published in April in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR), a leading journal for digital medicine and health research. The study led by Hong Xue, PhD analyzed hundreds of Pinterest Users and Pinterest Influencers, and found users liked and pinned posts that were healthy, featuring more poultry, fish and vegetables, but users more heavily engaged off-line with recipes that were high in fat, sugar, and total calories – indicating that users were more like to actually cook the less healthy recipes.

“It’s an interesting discrepancy between what pinners posted/liked and how users actually consumed the information,” Xue said. “Pinners are more likely to post recipes that are socially rewarded with likes and repins. They are more likely to adhere to an elite social norm set by celebrities and influencers promoting healthier, low-calorie, clean eating. But when it comes to the recipes users are more interested in making food high in fat, sugar, and high calories. We see a very different picture. They’re commenting on and posting finished dish photos of the less healthy recipes.”

The disconnect between popularity and engagement is an important one, Xue noted, because users aren’t taking the additional step from interest to action. And that could have significant implications for anyone attempting to increase healthy eating behaviors through social media campaigns. Specifically, the study found:

Engagement (commenting, sharing photos of finished dishes) increased as the amount of fat, sugar, total calories increased in a recipe
Popularity (reposting, liking) of a recipe increased as the number of poultry and seafood went up in a recipe
Comment mining on recipe posts revealed that users were more likely to comment on the way a recipe tasted
Users were far less likely to comment on a recipe’s difficulty level (less than 8 percent) or its health attributes (less than 3 percent).

With 18 percent of the adult U.S. population using Pinterest, and recipe sharing being one of its most popular interest areas, the platform represents an unprecedented opportunity to reinforce healthy eating habits, Xue said, if Pinterest influencers posting recipes used some different strategies.

“If users are engaging with more unhealthy recipes, then perhaps influencers should offer options for lowering the fat in them, as part of those recipes. There’s definitely a role for healthcare organizations and fitness experts to provide healthier recipes that are big on flavor, as this appears to be an area where users find the recipes lacking. To change perceptions, public health experts need to make healthy food the treat, and not the other way around. There’s tremendous opportunities in social media to influence healthy behavior,” he said. “We’re only beginning to understand it’s potential and pitfalls.”

Fellow CHHS faculty Alicia Hong (HAP), Janusz Wojtusiak (HAP), and Lawrence Cheskin (NUTR) also collaborated on this study.

Topics

Congresswoman Wexton, Delegate Roem, and Mayor Rishell Visit Mason Vaccine Clinic in Prince William

mthomp7 — Thu, 13 May 2021 23:39:43 +0000

Congresswoman Wexton, Delegate Roem, and Mayor Rishell Visit Mason Vaccine Clinic in Prince William mthomp7 Thu, 05/13/2021 - 19:39

In This Story

Robert M. Weiler, PhD, MPH

Elected officials recognize Mason’s contribution to fighting COVID and thank nurses and staff.

On May 6, U.S. Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton (D-VA 10^th District), Delegate Danica Roem (D-VA 13^th District), and Manassas Mayor Jeanette Rishell (D) visited the COVID-19 vaccination clinic located at the Manassas Park Community Center. The vaccination clinic, operated by the George Mason University School of Nursing and the Mason and Partner (MAP) Clinics, have vaccinated more than 22,305 residents since the vaccine became available in January 2021, predominantly serving under-represented and uninsured populations.

Wexton, Roem, and Rishell thanked the nurses and staff running the vaccination site and spoke with clinic coordinator Bridget Jennison about George Mason and the MAP Clinics’ vaccination efforts. “The MAP Clinics are pleased to help greater Prince William fight COVID by offering vaccination clinics and partnering with the Prince William Health Department to reach as many people as possible,” said Jennison.

More than 1,000 doses were administered the day of the officials’ visit, though Jennison explained that the number of vaccinations was slowing down. Jennison indicated that the next wave of vaccinations would be for 12-15 year-olds (approved by the Food and Drug Administration for emergency use on May 10 and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on May 12) and those who may be harder to reach because of hesitancy or other factors. Jennison, Wexton, Roem, and Rishell discussed opportunities to work together to increase vaccination rates in the Prince William community and expressed optimism for continued and successful progress.

“I am very impressed with the MAP Clinic’s commitment to the greater Prince William community and am thankful for their help vaccinating so many residents. I am particularly pleased that the MAP Clinics were able to use Cares Act funding to secure vaccine freezers and other equipment to help our residents get vaccinated as quickly as possible,” said Congresswoman Wexton.

“It is important that elected officials understand the vital services provided by the Mason MAP Clinic in Manassas Park. This is so that we not only get our constituents vaccinated, but we communicate the message to constituents that may also have additional health needs and letting them know that the MAP Clinic is here to help them. Seeing first-hand the vaccination progress gives me hope that we are going to get close to that 70% vaccination level by July 4 in our community. We have incredibly dedicated public and civil servants doing their part to make sure that we get there,” said Delegate Roem.

During the visit, Wexton also spoke with Robert Weiler, senior associate dean for academic affairs for Mason’s College of Health and Human Services regarding Mason’s strategic initiative to become the first college of public health in Virginia. “Mason is ready to bring a college of public health to Virginia that will focus on preparing highly specialized public health researchers, practitioners, and leaders who can respond to existing, evolving, and emerging health problems in the region and throughout the Commonwealth,” said Weiler. Virginia is currently one of only 15 states that does not have an accredited college of public health. George Mason currently offers three accredited public health degrees: Bachelor of Science (BS) in Community Health, Master of Public Health (MPH) with six concentrations, and a PhD in Public Health.

The MAP Clinics are funded by the College of Health and Human Services School of Nursing and through Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grants, as well as funding from the Potomac Health Foundation, and Northern Virginia Health Foundation. The MAP Clinic model is based on an academic-practice partnership model to help translate best evidence into practice at scale for the largest possible impact in the community.

Topics

MAP Clinic

Mason and Partners (MAP)

Vaccines

coronavirus; covid-19

CHHS News

Dr. P.J. Maddox Honored as George Mason Faculty of the Year

mthomp7 — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 17:39:45 +0000

Dr. P.J. Maddox Honored as George Mason Faculty of the Year mthomp7 Wed, 04/14/2021 - 13:39

Support the Dr. PJ Maddox Educational Enrichment Fund Today.

View the Celebration of Distinction on GMU-TV.

In This Story

PJ Maddox, EdD, MSN, RN

Long-Standing CHHS Faculty and Health Administration and Policy Department Chair Recognized for Outstanding Contributions to Mason.

The College of Health and Human Services is proud to announce that P.J. Maddox, PhD, has received the George Mason University Faculty of the Year Award and will be formally recognized at the Celebration of Distinction on Thursday, April 22, hosted by Mason’s Alumni Association. To view the celebration on GMU-TV, and cheer her on as she receives the award, all are invited to register here: https://alumni.gmu.edu/2021CoD.

Cutting-edge, mentor, and advocate are just some of the accolades used by colleagues and former students when nominating Maddox for the honor of George Mason Faculty of the Year. Maddox, who has served as a Mason faculty member for more than 25 years and as a department chair for more than 16 years, is seen as the driving force behind some of the most innovative initiatives at Mason, the College, and the Department of Health Administration and Policy (HAP).

Maddox is an admired teacher and advisor for many students, leaving an imprint on their academic lives that carries over into their careers. In honor of Maddox’s award and in recognition of her commitment to serving her students, a new Dr. PJ Maddox Educational Enrichment Fund has been established thanks to the generosity of Maddox’s former student, alumnus David Goldberg, MHA ’06, and his wife Noel. “P.J. and the outstanding faculty have made a profound impact on my career,” says David. “We are so proud of her recognition and want to ensure other students can have similar experiences that I had at Mason with such outstanding faculty and programs. This fund will provide resources for HAP students such as scholarships, academic travel, supplies and other educational opportunities.

It is Maddox’s hope that the Goldberg family gift will inspire others to support this new initiative.

“I can think of no greater recognition than receiving the Mason Alumni Faculty of the Year Award 2021. This award from our alumni reinforces the reasons I became an academic teaching and research faculty, and no other award could be more meaningful or significant to me. I am humbled and very thankful for their recognition,” said Maddox.

A leading voice for innovation at Mason, Maddox played a pivotal role in launching the university’s first online program partnership with Wiley. The online Master in Health Administration (MHA) and MS in Health Informatics program have enrolled more than 300 students since Mason’s partnership with Wiley was launched in 2018. The management and success of these programs have served as an exemplar for successive offerings. The HAP department has also been an early adopter of Mason’s efforts to expand access to academic programs, participating in Mason Advance and Advance Online undergraduate programs as well as expedited matriculation pathways such as BAM and articulation pathways with NVCC. Widely viewed as a leading voice on progressive academic initiatives and interdisciplinary education and research, Maddox represents the College on the Mason’s Institute for Digital Innovation, Arlington task force, charged with envisioning Mason’s contribution to the Arlington Innovation District and the design of the new IDIQ headquarters building. She chairs the Mason Chairs Advisory Committee at Mason.

In addition to Maddox’s contributions to the University, her impact is evident in the growth and success of the Department of Health Administration and Policy (HAP). She established HAP as a separate department from the School of Nursing in 2005 with herself and 5 full-time faculty. Since then, the department has grown to 21 faculty and three administrative support staff, and student enrollment has grown by more than 180 percent since 2010. Under her leadership, the department has developed and implemented six new degree programs. Degree and certificates span health systems management, health policy, and health informatics with offerings ranging from bachelors through PhD degrees and certificates, many of which are externally accredited and nationally ranked. Maddox has been instrumental in recruiting excellent faculty and helping them succeed at Mason. Most importantly, Maddox is very proud of the career success and contributions of HAP’s academic program alumni.

“The College is so proud of P.J.’s many accomplishments and this well-deserved recognition for her longstanding and sustained excellence. She is a highly capable and motivated leader who works tirelessly in support of faculty, staff, and students,” said Germaine Louis, PhD, dean of the College. “In light of outstanding teaching, academic, and leadership accomplishments, she is most deserving of this important recognition. She embodies the Mason spirit of all that is good, both locally and globally.”

An advocate for accessible education and experiential learning, Maddox has been equally impactful in the lives of students – many of whom consider her a mentor. “I continue to keep in touch with [Dr. Maddox] as she provides guidance for me in my career path and is a great advocate for my professional growth,” says Melissa Martin (MHA ’17). “Dr. Maddox is generous with her time and wisdom. Her experience is profound, and her wisdom is one I trust. To know that someone genuinely cares and invests in your success is a gift. I will always be grateful for the impact Dr. Maddox has made on my journey.”

She ensures that students leave Mason career-ready by exposing them to the most cutting-edge research and innovative teaching approaches. Maddox enthusiastically advocated for this unique experiential learning strategies such as those in health policy class, HAP 746, which has included student participation in seminars and presentations by Health Policy experts and legislators through the Summer Health Policy Lecture series. Through this unique course, students gain knowledge, confidence, and skills to influence health policy as future health executives. Student experience in this course has been described as transformational for many HAP students, helping them to see the power of their actions in the the policy-making world, outside of academia. Similarly, during the initial days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Maddox wanted to help students better understand and embrace the growing role of telemedicine in ensuring access to health care. In collaboration with HAP faculty and alumna Anton Arbatov (MHA ’15) a special topics course was developed to teach the knowledge and skills students and healthcare providers need to navigate the rapidly evolving telehealth service delivery space.

Maddox has also had a lasting impact on the body of research in her field. Building on her early career as a nurse, Maddox’s research has included evaluating state telehealth programs, testing a new funding allocation methodology for Title VIII Nursing Programs, and evaluating state Medicaid program outcomes, as well as conducting a variety of national and state health workforce planning and evaluation projects. She has also conducted research to expand health insurance coverage in Virginia, evaluated the impact of health reform policy on local government programs, conducted local community health status assessments and participated in CDC funded Community Transformation Grants for public health improvement in Fairfax County. Funded by the Claude Moore Foundation, Maddox and colleagues have established a Technical Evaluation System to support Claude Moore Scholar Program evaluations and comprehensive, longitudinal state health workforce planning.

The George Mason Alumni Association Faculty of the Year award recognition is a culmination of the impact Maddox has made through fostering innovation, supporting student achievement, developing innovative academic programs, and leading research of consequence. The College congratulates P.J. Maddox for this recognition, and we are thankful for her many years of service, commitment, and advocacy.

To view the Celebration of Distinction on April 22 at 6:30 pm on GMU-TV, and cheer on Dr. Maddox virtually as she receives the award, all are invited to register here: https://alumni.gmu.edu/2021CoD

To make a gift to the Dr. PJ Maddox Educational Enrichment Fund, please contact the CHHS Development office at chhsdev@gmu.edu.

Topics