Author: Davis, Jini

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.

From Classroom to Community: Public Health Nutrition Students Drive Local Impact in Hartford

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Public Health Nutrition students at UConn Health are gaining hands‑on, community‑centered experience thanks to Dr. Angela Bermúdez‑Milán’s innovative approach to teaching public health practice. Through a partnership with the Keney Park Sustainability Project and local health programs, students are applying classroom learning directly to real community needs.

In her Public Health Nutrition course, Dr. Bermúdez‑Milán integrates public health practice, program evaluation, and community engagement. MPH students—including Lisbeth Moran and Michael Raizin—spent time at the Keney Park garden learning about hydroponics, urban farming, and the food hub program. Their work extended beyond observation: students collaborated with program leaders to evaluate existing recommendations from previous consultants and helped strategize how to put those recommendations into action.

During National Public Health Week, Dr. Bermúdez‑Milán also presented findings from a community‑based participatory pilot study conducted with the Hartford Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program at Keney Sustainability Park. The study, Barriers to Farmers Market Voucher Redemption among Hartford WIC Participants, aims to strengthen WIC benefit use and inform future childhood obesity interventions. This work was supported through a collaboration between the UConn Health Department of Public Health Sciences and the ICR/Community Research Alliance (CRA), funded by the Health Net, Inc. Chair in the Department of Public Health Sciences.

The partnership continues to grow. Herb Virgo, Director of the Keney Park Sustainability Project, is exploring new ways to bring fresh produce and nutrition education directly to Hartford communities. Plans include cooking demonstrations using garden-grown vegetables and a repurposed mobile bus that will deliver fresh produce to neighborhoods with limited grocery access.

Students will play an active role in these initiatives, gaining first‑hand experience in collaborative public health practice, community engagement, and program implementation. This partnership exemplifies how applied learning can prepare future public health professionals to address real‑world challenges with creativity, cultural humility, and community partnership.

For more information, contact Dr. Angela Bermúdez‑Milán at bermudez-millan@uchc.edu.

To learn more about the Keney Park Sustainability Project, visit: https://keneyparksustainability.org/

12th Week- Spring 2026 – Wednesday Night Session

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Stacey Brown speaking

As part of the Spring 2026 12th Week Enrichment series, and during National Public Health Week (April 6 to 12), MPH students gathered Wednesday evening for a program focused on reflection, learning, and accountability in health systems.

The evening began with a Student Advisory Session, providing MPH students the opportunity to meet with faculty advisors, reflect on their progress, and connect with peers. This dedicated advising time fostered mentorship and dialogue while reinforcing the importance of academic planning and professional growth within the program.

public health students holding signs

Students then watched a screening of SHUFFLE, a documentary that investigates fraud within the addiction treatment industry. Through personal accounts and reporting, the film examines how profit motives, weak oversight, and gaps in regulation can harm people seeking recovery. It also raises broader questions about ethics and responsibility in public health.

For many students, the film offered a challenging and eye‑opening perspective on the U.S. healthcare system. Student reflections noted how SHUFFLE highlighted the contradiction between high national healthcare spending and persistently poor health outcomes, particularly in the context of substance use disorder treatment. Several students shared that the documentary deepened their understanding of how predatory treatment networks operate and how structural gaps can cause significant harm to vulnerable populations.

A key highlight of the evening was the live discussion with the film’s producer, which allowed students to engage directly with the investigative process behind the documentary. Students appreciated the opportunity to ask questions, unpack real‑world implications, and explore how policy, regulation, and accountability intersect with public health practice. Many reflected that the conversation helped connect the film’s themes to coursework and professional responsibilities within applied public health.

Student feedback emphasized the value of pairing the screening with discussion. Participants described the session as thought‑provoking and informative, particularly in expanding their understanding of insurance systems, addiction treatment, and the ethical responsibilities of public health professionals. Several students noted that the experience reinforced the importance of advocacy, regulation, and systems‑level thinking in protecting communities and improving health outcomes.

The event reflected the goals of National Public Health Week by encouraging students to examine complex challenges through real-world examples. It also served as a reminder that public health leadership requires technical knowledge, ethical judgment, and a commitment to meaningful change.

MPH 12th Week Schedule – Spring 2026

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This event series provides valuable opportunities for learning, connection, and professional development.

Important Information:

  • Attendance is mandatory for all MPH students.

  • Faculty members are invited to participate in the virtual webinars on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

  • Students must register for the Wednesday night in-person event using the registration form provided to track attendance.

Event Schedule

Tuesday, April 7, 2026 | 6:00 – 7:30 PM

Virtual Webinar
Topic: Putting Equity in Practice at the CT Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services
Speaker: Samia Hussein, DrPH, MPH
Director at CT Mental Health & Addiction Services

Register Here

Wednesday, April 8, 2026 | 5:30 PM

Students please check your inbox to register for Wednesday’s event.

RSVP Form

Location: Academic Rotunda

Student Advisory Session (5:30 – 6:00 PM)
Meet with your major advisor and connect with peers for guidance and support.
Faculty are strongly encouraged to attend this session to engage with their advisees.

‘SHUFFLE’ Documentary Discussion
SHUFFLE exposes the insurance-driven cycle of addiction treatment fraud through personal stories and investigative reporting. For MPH students, the film offers a compelling look at how public policy, health systems, and profit incentives intersect and how structural failures can put vulnerable populations at risk. The screening invites critical discussion around ethics, regulation, and the public health role in addressing substance use and health system accountability.

Students will have the opportunity to engage directly with the film’s producer following the screening. Come prepared with questions and ready to discuss real‑world public health issues.

Program Director Updates
Hear the latest news from the Program Director, including department updates, important reminders, and upcoming opportunities.

Thursday, April 9, 2026 | 6:00 – 7:30 PM

Virtual Webinar
Topic: The Mouth as a Mirror: Oral Health & Pregnancy
Speaker: Dr. Brianna Muñoz, DMD, MPH
Pediatric Dentist & CEO
Twinkle Tooth Pediatric Dentistry

Register Here

Reminders

  • Attendance is mandatory for students at all events.

  • Faculty are encouraged to attend the Wednesday advisory session in person.

  • Students must complete the registration form for the Wednesday night event to confirm attendance.

MPH Students, Alum & Faculty Present at UConn’s 2026 Health Equity Research Symposium

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On March 26, UConn’s 2026 Health Equity Research Symposium & Poster Session brought together students, faculty, researchers, and community partners to explore how collaboration and applied frameworks can drive meaningful progress toward health equity. Rooted in the theme “Rooted in Connection: Co‑Creating Equity Through Collaboration,” the symposium emphasized translating equity principles into action across research, teaching, and practice.

A highlight of the symposium was the panel “Foundations of Health Equity: From Frameworks to Practice,” a session designed to ground attendees in core health equity principles and examine how these frameworks are applied across disciplines.

  • Dr. Stacey Brown, Program Director
  • Dr. Mayte Restrepo‑Ruiz, Public Health Sciences faculty
  • Dr. Samia Hussein, MPH alumna

Together, the panelists explored how foundational equity frameworks inform public health teaching, research, and real‑world action. Their discussion emphasized the importance of moving beyond theory to practice—connecting academic work with community‑centered solutions and interdisciplinary collaboration.

The presence of MPH leadership, faculty, and alumni on this panel underscored the program’s role in shaping public health professionals who are prepared to address structural inequities at local, state, and national levels.

MPH students also contributed to the symposium through research poster presentations, sharing work that reflects a wide range of public health interests and equity‑focused inquiry. The poster session created space for dialogue between students, faculty, practitioners, and community members, reinforcing the symposium’s goal of bridging research and practice.

Through these presentations, students demonstrated how MPH training translates into applied research and community‑relevant public health questions—an essential component of advancing health equity.

The 2026 Health Equity Research Symposium highlighted the strength of UConn’s public health community and the central role of students and faculty in advancing equity‑driven work. For the MPH Program, participation in the symposium reflects a broader commitment to preparing graduates who can critically engage with health inequities and contribute to solutions grounded in evidence, collaboration, and community voice.