Our 12th Week Enrichment series continued with an evening dedicated to connection—both academic and personal growth. The night began with a Student Advisory Session, where MPH students met with their major advisors to discuss their progress, share experiences, and seek guidance. Faculty were also encouraged to attend, creating a valuable space for mentorship, open dialogue, and community support.

Following advising, the focus shifted from academic planning to relational learning with Rey Bermudez, educator, movement facilitator, and founder of The Relational Dance. With over 30 years of experience across dance instruction, human services, and education, Mr. Bermudez led the group through Relational Dance for Professionals—a dynamic workshop designed to cultivate emotionally intelligent, relationship-centered professionals.

Grounded in three core principles—the Identity of Value, the Practice of Connection, and the Power of Consistency—the session helped participants explore self-awareness, communication, and consistent relational habits that build trust, accountability, and collaboration. Students also practiced strategies for relational leadership and team culture building. And of course, everyone had the chance to move!

It was an evening that blended advising, reflection, and movement—reminding us that growth in public health happens not only in classrooms, but also through connection, mentorship, and community.

Members of our department recently attended The Power of the Pause Celebration, an event dedicated to uplifting community voices and promoting menopause equity—a critical but often overlooked public health issue.

The event brought together advocates, health professionals, and community members to discuss the unique challenges individuals face during midlife, especially those from marginalized and underserved groups. Conversations centered on how social determinants of health—such as access to care, income, race, and gender identity—shape experiences of menopause and overall well-being.

For public health students, this celebration offered a powerful reminder: health equity doesn’t stop at reproductive age. Midlife health deserves the same level of attention, empathy, and research as other stages of life. Addressing menopause through a public health lens means recognizing how systemic inequities influence access to information, culturally competent care, and supportive environments.

As proud sponsors of this initiative, we’re committed to advocating for a future where all individuals navigating menopause are seen, heard, and supported. Public health plays a vital role in shaping that future—through research, policy, and community engagement that prioritize inclusivity and compassion.

Together, we can continue to redefine what equitable midlife health looks like and ensure that every stage of life is met with dignity and understanding.

Explore photos from the event below and learn more about the movement toward menopause equity.

Come join our 1st PHLAME event of the semester, career development! This event will be led by Kay Gruder, M.Ed., from the UConn Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills. The session will focus on creating/enhancing your LinkedIn profile, how to effectively use LinkedIn to network, and include CV and resume building.

This event will be held in-person on Wednesday, 9/17/25 from 3:00-4:00 PM in room U3071 A/B at 195 Farmington Avenue.

This event may also be joined remotely via Webex. See link below:

https://uconnhealth.webex.com/uconnhealth/j.php?MTID=m2b36b6fc2def60347db6b8a3033f94f7

Wednesday, September 17, 2025 3:00 PM | 1 hour 10 minutes | (UTC-04:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)

Meeting number: 2306 757 2151

Password: MnpAqTMn727

Join by video system

Dial 23067572151@uconnhealth.webex.com

You can also dial 173.243.2.68 and enter your meeting number.

Join by phone

+1-415-655-0001 US Toll

Access code: 230 675 72151

This holiday season, the UConn Department of Public Health Sciences demonstrated the power of community by hosting a donation drive to support survivors of domestic violence at the Prudence Crandall Center. From November 13 to December 17, faculty, staff, students, and community members joined forces to provide essential items that will bring comfort and hope to individuals and families in need.

The donations included gift cards for groceries and household items, new bedding and towels, personal care products, diapers, cleaning supplies, and toys for children. These contributions were delivered directly to the center, where they will play a crucial role in helping survivors rebuild their lives with dignity and security.

Drop-off day was a heartwarming experience as members of the department came together to load and unload the car and personally deliver the items to the center. The event served as a powerful reminder of how public health is about more than just policy and research—it’s about community action and care.

We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who participated in this drive. Your generosity has made a lasting impact, proving that even small contributions can lead to significant change. Together, we’ve shown that the UConn Public Health community truly embodies the spirit of service and compassion.

Stay tuned for more ways to get involved and make a difference in public health!

The Connecticut Public Health Association’s (CPHA) Annual Conference took place on Monday, November 18th at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville, CT, this year’s theme, “Building Healthier Communities Together: Centering on Community for Changemaking,” highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts to improve public health outcomes.

Why This Year’s Theme was Important

Community engagement is the cornerstone of effective public health initiatives. By involving community members, organizational representatives, and researchers as equal partners, we can co-design impactful solutions, influence policies, and create programs that directly improve people’s lives.

Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) exemplifies this approach. It involves equitable partnerships where every participant shares expertise, ownership, and responsibility throughout the research process. As described by the American Public Health Association (APHA), CBPR aims to combine knowledge and action to enhance community health and well-being.

• Inspiring Keynotes & Sessions: Learn from leading voices in public health and explore how to center community engagement in changemaking efforts.
• Interactive Workshops: Gain hands-on experience in designing and implementing community-focused initiatives.
• Networking Opportunities: Connect with public health professionals, researchers, and community advocates dedicated to building healthier communities.

Public Health Sciences: Proud Platinum Sponsor

We’re thrilled to announce that Public Health Sciences is a Platinum Sponsor for this year’s event. Dr. Stacey Brown represented our department and share insights about community-engaged research and its role in creating meaningful change.