march 2, 2012
Student fellows launch blog to open dialogue on public health
When the current cohort of Center for Health Leadership (CHL) fellows decided to enter the blogosphere, CHL education director Ellie Schindelman applauded their bravery.
"Very few of them have any experience with blogs and many were quite skeptical about the whole idea," says Schindelman. "But they've taken the idea and run with it, demonstrating exceptional creativity and initiative. I am excited to see what the students and our graduate student assistant Beth Malinowski have been able to accomplish in such a short time!"
The new blog, just launched in February, aims to make the concept of public health more accessible to a wide audience. The title of the blog, Public Health is..., reflects the students' desire to create a space for discussion and debate on a full spectrum of public health issues. Each entry will answer the question "How do you define public health?" in a unique way. The latest entry makes the claim that "Public Health is...Fashionable" and compares members of the World Health Organization who select the "in" strain of influenza for the flu shot to fashion editors choosing the "new black."
The CHL Fellows Program introduces students to innovative and cutting-edge concepts and skills for public health practice—including the use of social and new media for health communication, advocacy, research, and education. This year 13 M.P.H. and joint degree students from all concentrations are participating in the rigorous 18-month leadership development program of classroom and practice-based exploration designed to hone their leadership and professional skills.
"I believe that blogging will be a critical skill for public health practice, one that all leaders should know how to use," says Schindelman, "And I hope that this experience will be one of many in the Fellows Program that prepares them to be the public health leaders the world needs."
Visit the Public Health is... blog and join the discussionGet to know the current CHL fellows