In This Issue Announcements Unit Updates Calendar
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This Leadership Team Newsletter is published every two weeks by the Dean's Office in the College of Health at the University of Alaska Anchorage. To submit content, email:
The UAA College of Health advances the health and well being of people and communities
September 3, 2015
Announcements
Wine to Water Benefit: Alaska Sudan Medical Project
Come help turn wine into water! Proceeds for this benefit go directly to building water wells in South Sudan, bringing clean water to 2,500 people, many of whom have no access to clean water.
When: October 1, 2015 Where: Fore Deck, Hotel Captain Cook.
Buy your ticket: $75/person + service fee, or a package of
10 for less! For more information, and to purchase tickets, go to: http://alaskasudan.org/special-events.html
COH Curriculum Committee to Meet Wednesdays The COH Curriculum Committee will hold its regular meeting on Wednesdays, 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm. The deadline for submission of materials for committee review is Monday at 9am, the week prior to the meeting. Submit electronic files in Word format to Harriet Paule ([email protected]). To assist you in submitting materials to the curriculum committee, download the "COH Faculty Curriculum Submission Guide AY 14/15" (doc).
Unit Updates
Rhonda Johnson Presents on Arctic Human Health
Issues
On August 30, Dr. Rhonda Johnson, Professor of Public Health, participated with other faculty and UAA leadership in an arctic science briefing for a White House Office of Science, Technology, and Policy (OSTP) team. She presented on arctic human health issues and ongoing collaborations with circumpolar colleagues. The OSTP team concluded their campus visit with an informational gathering session with Alaska Natives into Science and Engineering Program (ANSEP) staff and students. Download the agenda for the meeting (pdf).
MEDEX Program Welcomes Ash Marquardt
The Department of Health Sciences is proud to introduce Ashley Marquardt, MPAS, BS, PA-C as the new MEDEX Assistant Director for Alaska. Ash has been the Didactic Coordinator and is now taking on this new assignment since the retirement of John Riley.
Justice Center
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AJIC Will Guide Work of Pew-Macarthur Results First Initiative
The Pew-MacArthur Results First Initiative in Alaska has started under the direction of the Alaska Justice Information Center (AJIC) - jointly funded by the State of Alaska and the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority and housed within the UAA Justice Center. Dr. Brad Myrstol is the director of the Alaska Justice Information Center. This work will target evidence-based programs and recidivism-reduction
grants by generating additional information to help guide policy decisions and ensuring that funded programs deliver the intended results. For more information, visit:
http://uaajusticecenter.blogspot.com/2015/08/alaska-justice-information-center.html.
Prof. Fortson Presents on Tribal Court Jurisdiction Prof. Ryan Fortson, JD, PhD, presented at the 32nd Annual Alaska Tribal Court Conference August 4-6 in Fairbanks. He discussed tribal court jurisdiction as a panelist for the session "Domestic Violence, Developing Issues: What Can Tribes Do?" His presentation focused on his
Alaska Law Review article "Advancing Tribal Court Criminal Jurisdiction in Alaska" (June 2015). For more information, visit:
http://uaajusticecenter.blogspot.com/2015/08/prof-fortson-presents-on-tribal-court.html.
Dr. Rivera and Prof. Knudsen Present at Howl Days Freshman Orientation
Dr. Marny Rivera, Justice Undergraduate Program Coordinator, and Prof. Kristin Knudsen, JD, Justice Legal Studies faculty, participated in the Fall 2015 Howl Days College of Health (COH) freshman orientation on August 19. The COH was the first college to experiment with a new type of orientation schedule in fall 2014 for students, and this year marks the second anniversary for this format. Over 100 students and parents attended the presentations made by Dr. Rivera and Prof. Knudsen, which included
information on Justice and Legal Studies degree programs, career options, and descriptions of courses. For more information, visit: http://uaajusticecenter.blogspot.com/2015/08/justice-center-participates-in-howl.html .
Prof. Fortson Interviewed on Law School Options for Alaskans
Prof. Ryan Fortson, JD, PhD, Legal Studies faculty, was recently
interviewed by The National Law Journal about law school options
for Alaskans. Read the article "Law School's Northern Exposure: Alaska hopes satellite campus will aid retention" (Karen Sloan, August 19, 2015). For more information, visit:
http://uaajusticecenter.blogspot.com/2015/08/prof-fortson-interviewed-for-national.html.
Justice Center Participates in COH All-College Meeting The College of Health (COH) held an all-college meeting on August 19. Dean Bill Hogan presented information on the COH programs and budget, outlined some of the major accreditation efforts over the past and coming academic year, welcomed new COH units, and
recognized new faculty and staff. Alaska DHSS Commissioner Valerie Davidson gave the keynote
presentation and discussed Medicaid expansion and redesign of the Alaska system, as well as discussed the important role the COH plays in supporting the delivery of health services in the state. For more information, visit:
http://uaajusticecenter.blogspot.com/2015/08/justice-center-participates-in-college.html.
Justice Alumni Chapter Board Develops 2015-16 Plan The Justice Alumni Chapter met August 16 to develop the 2015-2016 chapter plan, which will be submitted to the UAA Alumni Association.Over the past year, the chapter has grown to about 20 members, and Dr. Allan Barnes, Justice faculty, is the advisor. The annual chapter meeting will be held in early November 2015. For more information, visit:
http://uaajusticecenter.blogspot.com/2015/08/justice-alumni-chapter-board-meets-to.html.
Justice Center Faculty Welcome the Class of 2015 at Campus Kickoff!
The 2015 Campus Kickoffon Saturday, August 22 was a great success, with tons of booths, food, and activities! Justice Center faculty were on hand to talk to current and prospective students and their parents
about courses and career options. Justice and Legal Studies faculty
included Dr. Marny Rivera, Justice Undergraduate Program Coordinator; Prof. Ryan Fortson, JD, PhD; Dr. Lindsey Blumenstein; Dr. Allan Barnes; Dr. Brad Myrstol; Prof. Kristin Knudsen, JD; and Dr. Troy Payne. And there was a special guest at the Justice Center booth...Dr. Blumenstein's yellow Labrador Retriever puppy, Elly! For more information, visit:
http://uaajusticecenter.blogspot.com/2015/09/justice-center-faculty-welcome-class-of.html.
UAA/Creighton Occupational Therapy Program
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Sarah Thompson: Bringing Care to Rural America and Alaska
Sarah Thompson is a 2011 graduate of the Creighton Alaska Pathway program, a Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OT) degree offered jointly by Creighton and the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA). Living in Palmer, Alaska, Thompson values the beauty of Alaska's wilderness and the proximity to Alaska's largest city, Anchorage. "There's really no place like it. Being able to practice OT in Alaska, where there is such a shortage of therapists, has been very important to me, too." After her graduation with the inaugural cohort of the Pathway program, Thompson began working in highly
specialized OT areas, including oncology rehabilitation and lifestyles management. She developed programs previously unavailable to most people in Alaska, and her patients traveled far and wide to receive these services. Today, Thompson works with developmentally and learning-challenged children in the
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District. She also continues to maintain a link to Creighton, serving as a teaching assistant in the spirituality curriculum for the OTD Pathway program.
School of Social Work
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Marianne Mahon Honored for Work with Child Welfare
Academy
On August 21, the Alaska State Legislature honored Marianne Mahon, Project Administrator, for her work with the School of Social Work's Child Welfare Academy (CWA). This program breaks new ground for youth transitioning from the Office of Children's Services foster system to college and careers.
According to the UAA Green & Gold, "The State of Alaska Legislature chose to recognize Ms. Mahon as an exceptional manager who consistently goes beyond expectations in all aspects of her work." Since the inception of the
program, Ms. Mahon has been a tireless advocate for these vulnerable students. With her hard work, determination, and heart, the program has helped scores of students transition from foster care to success on campuses throughout the state.
Representative Les Gara made a surprise visit to a CWA staff meeting to present Ms. Mahon with a special legislative citation. Read more about this program and Marianne Mahon:
http://tinyurl.com/of8y2wv. Download Ms. Mahon's legislative award (pdf).
Calendar
Upcoming Events/Deadlines
September 7 - Labor Day holiday October 23 - Faculty development day
November 26-27 - Thanksgiving Holiday
December 24-25 - Christmas Holiday
Dec 31-Jan 1 - New Year Holiday
December 26-30 - Winter Holiday (campus closed)
January 18 - Civil Rights Day
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