Month: May 2026

Inspiring the Next Generation: MPH Alumni host mentoring event for CT high schools

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UConn Health recently welcomed high school students from across Hartford for a dynamic and inspiring on-campus experience, marking the conclusion of a 10-week mentorship program under the Cato T. Laurencin Mentoring Programs.

The program paired UConn Health (UCH) students with students from Hartford Magnet Trinity College Academy (HMTCA), creating opportunities for mentorship, academic support, and exposure to careers in health and research. The final event, held from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., celebrated the dedication and achievements of both mentors and mentees.

Adding to the significance of the day, MPH alumni Raquel Rosa and Chelsea Erem were in attendance, representing the continued impact of UConn’s public health training and the importance of giving back to the community.

In addition to HMTCA participants, the event also welcomed approximately a dozen students from Princeton Technical High School, expanding the program’s reach and impact within the Hartford community.

Throughout the morning, students engaged in a variety of interactive and educational activities across campus. The program included:

  • A guided tour of UConn Health facilities
  • Research presentations delivered by both students and faculty
  • A hands-on experience in the simulation lab
  • Opportunities to connect directly with current UCH students

These experiences provided students with a firsthand look at academic pathways and careers in public health, medicine, and health sciences—helping to spark curiosity and build confidence in their future goals.

Hands-On Public Health: UConn MPH Volunteers Support Gather55’s Community Mission

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This week, members of our administrative team and graduate assistants took part in a hands-on volunteer experience at Gather55, a Hartford-based restaurant with a mission rooted in community and dignity. Powered by Hands On Hartford, Gather55 is more than a dining space—it’s a community-centered initiative designed to connect people through food while addressing food insecurity.

During their time on-site, our team supported day-to-day operations by working in the kitchen, cleaning, and serving meals and beverages to guests. These tasks, while simple on the surface, represent something much larger: the core of public health practice. Public health is not confined to research or policy—it is deeply embedded in community action, service, and partnerships that meet people’s needs in real-time.

Experiences like this bring our program’s mission and values to life. The UConn MPH program emphasizes preparing students to address complex health challenges through education, mentorship, and meaningful community engagement. Central to this mission is the importance of fostering equitable partnerships and promoting wellness as a fundamental right for all—principles that were reflected throughout the day at Gather55.

Gather55’s innovative model—where guests can dine regardless of their ability to pay—creates a shared space that reduces stigma and builds connection across diverse communities. By supporting organizations like this, our students and staff not only contribute to immediate community needs but also gain a deeper understanding of how public health initiatives can be implemented at the local level.

This volunteer experience is a powerful reminder that public health is about more than theory—it’s about action, compassion, and collaboration. Whether through service, advocacy, or partnership, our community continues to work toward a future where everyone has the opportunity to live a healthy and fulfilling life.

Spring Cleaning Donation Drive

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This season, our department is proud to support 3 impactful initiatives dedicated to serving CT residents: Community Service Officer Jim Barrett’s Homeless Outreach Program, Hands On Hartford, and Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants.

As warmer months arrive, and financial instability continues to rise, community support is more important than ever.

About Community Service Officers & Officer Jim Barrett
Learn about Officer Barrett here: https://youtu.be/miVDWB2X3Yc

Community Service Officers work directly within Hartford neighborhoods, building relationships, attending community events, and addressing quality-of-life concerns. Officer Jim Barrett, the city’s homeless outreach officer, goes above and beyond to support unhoused individuals. His compassionate work has been recognized locally and nationally.

About Hands On Hartford (HOH)
Support their work here: https://handsonhartford.org/support/

Hands On Hartford strengthens the community through housing support, food access, homelessness prevention, and outreach services. Their MANNA Community Pantry, Backpack Nutrition Program, Supportive Housing, and Shared Use Kitchen all play a crucial role in meeting basic needs and fostering long-term stability. Their participation-based restaurant, Gather55, welcomes everyone—regardless of ability to pay—creating a space where community and compassion meet over a shared meal.

They also operate a Day Program that provides referrals, shelter support, health screenings, and a safe environment for those experiencing homelessness. With more than 1,400 volunteers each year and support from civic, faith-based, and organizational partners, Hands On Hartford continues to create a healthier, more inclusive Hartford for all.

About the Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants (CIRI)
Learn more about their mission here: https://cirict.org/who-we-are/

CIRI provides a compassionate array of high-quality legal, social, and educational programming for refugees, immigrants, and survivors of human trafficking and torture.

CIRI is a statewide nonprofit organization that assists refugees and immigrants resolve legal, economic, linguistic and social barriers so that they become self-sufficient, integrated and contributing members of the community. CIRI achieves this mission by providing a compassionate array of high-quality legal, social and educational programming and by promoting cross cultural understanding and decent treatment for all.

How You Can Help
This year, many community members are facing reduced assistance, unexpected hardships, and limited access to food or clothing. Even small contributions can make a meaningful difference—especially items like $5 fast-food gift cards, which provide unhoused individuals the opportunity to purchase a meal.

Most-needed items include:

  • Financial contributions 
    Please contact the following emails:
    jindavis@uchc.edu, lcook@uchc.edu, samociuk@uchc.edu, and parris@uchc.edu
  • Nonperishable food
  • Full-size toiletries & household essentials
  • Food for children’s backpack nutrition program
  • Hygiene products
    Examples but not limited to: body powder, travel size toothpaste, and deodorant
  • Diapers (sizes 4-5)
  • Baby wipes
  • Reusable water bottles
  • Small water bottles
  • Pedometers
  • Clothing
    Examples but not limited to: Boxer Briefs ( L, XL, 1X, 2X), Tee Shirts  (M, L, XL, 1X, 2X)
  • Adult Back Packs
  • $5 fast-food gift cards to McDonalds, Burger King and Dunkin Donuts
  • Bus passes

Your generosity directly supports individuals and families navigating challenging times. Thank you for helping us make a positive impact this season.

Inside the 2026 MPH Poster Session: Student Research Making an Impact

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The 2026 Master of Public Health (MPH) Poster Session showcased the breadth, depth, and real-world impact of student research at UConn. From improving healthcare access to advancing chronic disease research, students presented projects that reflect both the challenges and opportunities facing public health today.

Research That Meets Real-World Needs

Students explored a wide range of pressing public health topics across Connecticut and beyond. One project examined access to over-the-counter birth control using a statewide “mystery caller” approach, highlighting gaps in availability and consistency across pharmacies.

Other students focused on chronic disease epidemiology, including research on long-term metformin use and its potential association with gastrointestinal cancer risk.

Accessibility and inclusion were also key themes, with one student developing a structured module designed to make dance recreation spaces more inclusive through education and assessment tools.

Addressing Health Equity in Connecticut

Several projects centered on underserved populations and health equity. Research on migrant and seasonal farmworkers in Connecticut identified critical barriers to healthcare, including access challenges, unmet health needs, and factors that influence care-seeking behavior.

These findings point toward actionable solutions, such as expanding mobile clinics and increasing investment in community health workers to better serve vulnerable communities across the state.

From Classroom to Career

Beyond the research itself, the poster session highlighted where these future public health professionals are headed next.

Graduates are moving into a variety of impactful roles, including:

  • Residency programs in internal medicine and anesthesiology
  • Careers in clinical and research settings
  • Positions in government and public health agencies

These next steps reflect the program’s strong emphasis on applying public health training in real-world settings—whether through patient care, research, or policy work.

A Launchpad for Impact

The MPH Poster Session is more than a capstone—it’s a launching point. Students leave not only with research experience, but with the skills to translate data into action, advocate for communities, and contribute to meaningful change in public health.

As this year’s graduates step into the next phase of their careers, their work continues to shape healthier communities across Connecticut and beyond.

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Congrats to class of 2026!

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Celebrating the Class of 2026: From Research to Recognition to Commencement

congrats class of 2026! MPH student looking up at commencement

The Department of Public Health Sciences proudly celebrated the Class of 2026 with a series of events that highlighted their hard work, achievements, and bright futures ahead.

The celebration began with the annual poster session, where students presented their research and shared the innovative work they’ve developed throughout their time in the program. The session offered a meaningful opportunity for students, faculty, and guests to engage with important public health topics and recognize the depth and diversity of student scholarship.

The festivities continued at the Graduation Dinner, an evening filled with celebration, connection, and reflection. Students, faculty, staff, and loved ones gathered to honor the accomplishments of the graduating class. The night featured awards recognizing outstanding academic achievement, leadership, and community impact, along with moments of joy captured at the photo booth and shared among peers.

These recognitions reflected not only success in the classroom, but also the real-world impact our graduates have already begun to make in their communities and beyond.

The celebration culminated at commencement, where graduates officially crossed the stage and marked the transition from students to public health professionals. It was a proud and inspiring moment, symbolizing years of dedication, perseverance, and passion.

As we celebrate the Class of 2026, we recognize their commitment to advancing public health and improving the well-being of communities everywhere.

Congratulations to our graduates! We are incredibly proud of you and look forward to seeing all that you will accomplish.