Promoting Health and Well-being at the School of Health and Environment

The School of Health and Environment is a unique and exciting combination of health professions, community health educators, and public health advocates — all interested in finding ways to advance the health of our region, nation and the world.

We’re excited about all the wonderful accomplishments from the School of Health and Environment and wanted to share a sampling of the good news and accomplishments of our students and faculty. Inside you’ll learn about activities across the school and the connections being made to promote healthier lifestyles and improve health outcomes.

We hope you’ll stay connected to us through our website and electronic newsletter. Let us hear from you about ways youwould like to share with us: mentoring students, sharing job postings, speaking to classes or supporting us financially. All would be welcome.

From the Dean

Educating Tomorrow’s Leaders for a Healthier World

Shortie McKinney

Students Shine at UMass Lowell

Bring Diversity to Nursing Program on Track

With the help of federal and state grants,UMass Lowell is providing resources to helpdiverse students succeed in the nursing program. Twenty-eight students participatein the Bring Diversity to Nursing programthat provides scholarships, equipment, tutoring and mentoring. To raise awarenessof nursing as a profession, the Bring Diversity to Nursing team has conductedworkshops with middle and high schoolstudents in Lowell and Lawrence.

“We need nurses who can effectively interact with patients across cultures to deliver the best care possible."

Prof. Karen Devereaux Melillo ’78, Chair of the Nursing Department

Exercise Physiology StudentsWin Jeopardy-style Quiz Competition

The UMass Lowell Exercise Physiology teamwon the New England American College ofSports Medicine College Bowl Competition,beating 15 universities and colleges in NewEngland. The competition, set up like the Jeopardy quiz show, tested the knowledge ofundergraduate student teams on physiology,anatomy, nutrition and pathology. As difficultas the rapid-fire questions were, the UMassLowell team members of Rachel DeBlois, Adam Potts, Connor Ryan and alternate team member Katelyn McMahon, all seniors, kept their cool and won.

“I credit this win to our professors, who prepared us, and the strength of our exercise physiology program. I sincerelymean it when I say that our class is an intelligent and driven bunch.”

Connor Ryan, Exercise Physiology Student

New SHE Living Learning Community in Fox Hall

Students who live with others who have similar career interests are more likely to graduate on time with higher grade point averages, according to research reports. That’s the thinking behind UMass Lowell’snew Health and Environment Academic Living and Learning Community. The newlyrenovated Fox Hall offers students faculty-led study sessions, tutoring services andcomputer labs – resources to help them succeed.

“With common academic goals, students can support each other and connect with faculty in a relaxed environment. Studies show that studentswho live and study together are more likely to graduate.”

Shortie McKinney, Dean of the School of Health and Environment

Educating Tomorrow’s Leaders for a Healthier World

Making a Difference at the School of Health and Environment

New Environmental Health Program Fills Critical Need

The Massachusetts Board of Higher Education approved a new EnvironmentalHealth bachelor of science degree program in the School of Health and Environment. The one-of-a-kind program in the Northeastwill begin September 2010, meeting a growing demand from the public health field. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that half of current environmental health practitioners will retire within the next 10 years.

“This new environmental health program will offer a new generation of students an opportunity to learn skillsthat will help them tackle the world’s toughest problems, many of which are preventable.”

Assoc. Prof. Joel Tickner ’01, CommunityHealth and Sustainability Department

Physical Therapy Students Screen Special Olympic Athletes at Competition

Seventeen physical therapy students helped Special Olympics Massachusetts, an organization that offers a variety ofOlympic type programs to enrich the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities.The students educated the Special Olympicathletes, families and coaches about improving function and performance at a recent competition. Students tested the athletes for flexibility, functional strength,balance and aerobic condition.

“This event was a great opportunity for our students to gain real-world experience working with athletes andtheir families, helping them improve performance while staying healthy.”

Asst. Prof. Deirdra Murphy ’00,Physical Therapy Department

Students Learn How to Reduce Injuries on the Job

Back pain caused by transferring patients is the leading reason that nurses leave the profession prematurely. Improper handling can also injure and distress patients. With the help of $15,000 of donated equipment from Guldmann, Inc.,UMass Lowell nursing students are learninghow to safely care for patients right fromthe start of their careers to reduce injurieson the job. The company has provided aceiling hoist system that serves two hospitalbeds and a mobile lifter for patients.

“The new equipment will be essential in the educational preparation of safe patient handling for the nursing students.”

Prof. Karen Devereaux Melillo ’78, Chair of the Nursing Department

Stay Connected – Sign up for the SHE Newsletter at www.uml.edu/SHE

Educating Tomorrow’s Leaders for a Healthier World

Nursing Students Without Borders Learn the Power of Prevention in Ghana, Africa

Ten nursing seniors traveled to Ghana,Africa during winter break with Asst. Prof. Valerie King to provide care to thepeople of the Kpando district. The Nursing Students Without Borders (NSWB)group brought 400 pounds of suppliesand returned home with a renewed appreciation for the power of teachingand promoting good health.

“I now recognize that educating thenurses of Ghana is more importantthan any blood pressure clinic or day spent working in a hospital setting. While these interventions were important, it was in teaching our patients and colleagues that Ithink we made the greatest impact.”

Jody Roper, UMass Lowell Senior Nursing Student

Preventing Diabetes in Lowell Area Youth

Non-insulin-dependent diabetes is a diseasethat typically occurs in older adults but has recently shown a spike in younger individuals.To help reverse this trend, UMass Lowell faculty and UMass Medical Center are developing nutrition and physical activity programs for children in the local area. The researchers are collaborating with theLowell Community Health Center and theBoys and Girls Club of Greater Lowell withthe support of a $200,000 grant from theUMass President’s office.

“A preventable disease that can have devastating consequences, diabetes can lead to impaired eyesight and kidney andnerve damage. We’re especially worried about young kids because the longer a person has diabetes, the greater the risk of complications throughout their lives.”

Prof. Garry Handelman, Clinical Laboratoryand Nutritional Sciences Department

Reducing Stress Key to Improving Health

A new Stress@Work web site available atwww.uml.edu/jobstress, suggests ways foremployees and employers to identify sourcesof stress to tackle issues head on for bothhealth and financial reasons. Although beingoverworked is one cause of stress, the realculprits are when employees feel that theyhave little control and no support from theirwork environment. The site was created by SHE’s Center for the Promotion of Health in the New England Workplace.

“Stressful working conditions cannot only lead to heart disease and otherchronic illnesses, they cost American companies more than $300 billion a year in health costs.

Assoc. Prof. Nicole Champagne, Community Health and Sustainability Department

Photo above: Nicole Champagne, project managerSuzanne Nobrega and graduate student Julie Brodie.

Helping Communities Through Education and Outreach

Stay Connected – Sign up for the SHE Newsletter at www.uml.edu/SHE

Alumni Giving Back

Alumna Helps Spread the Word about Shortage of Medical Technologists

The shortage of skilled laboratory workers is a crisis in the making says Prof. Kay Doyle,Chair of Clinical Laboratory and NutritionalSciences. Most high school students don’tlearn about the profession until they’re incollege but Sarah Roddy Themelis ‘04 is trying to change that. She raises awarenessof the field of medical technology throughjob shadowing with high school studentsand teaching blood bank students duringtheir rotations.

“I try to promote my career as much as possible. The job shortage not only affects me as a worker but it also affects me as a patient.”

Sarah Roddy Themelis ’04,Clinical Laboratory and Nutritional Sciences Alumna

Healer of Boston AthletesShares Words of Wisdom with Students

As a rehabilitation coordinator, physical therapist and athletic trainer for both theRed Sox and Bruins, Scott Waugh ’90 remembers his roots. During an on-campusdiscussion, he said he discovered the passionfor his profession at UMass Lowell, thanks to the relationships he created as a studentbeginning with an internship as a studenttrainer at the Costello Gym.

“Twenty-three years ago, when I firstcame here, I sat in these same seats. I made some strategic decisions backthen that set some things in motion for me so that I can enjoy the success that I have now.”

Scott Waugh ’90, Physical Therapy Alumnus

Work Environment Alumni Evaluate Federal Grant

Work Environment Department Alumni were on campus to join in the evaluation of a five-year renewal application for a$2,068,000 doctoral student grant from theU.S. National Institute for Occupational Safetyand Health (NIOSH). NIOSH has funded atraining program with the Department ofWork Environment since 1990 in five-year cycles that has provided tuition and stipendsto approximately 95 Work Environment graduate students.

“Our alumni keep us connected and relevant to the changing needs of theglobal economy. Their willingness to give back is tremendously gratifying.”

Prof. David Kriebel, Chair of the Work Environment Department

Outstanding Teaching Excellence

Kay Doyle Earns UMass President’s Public Service Award

Prof. Kay Doyle grew up in a timewhen many women didn't attend college and even fewer pursued careers in the sciences. But froman early age, Kay was intrigued by science. It helped her find waysto make the world a better place. She was recently recognized forenhancing lives through develop-ing strong partnerships betweenscience and people with theUMass President‘s Public Serviceaward that honors faculty whohave provided exemplary publicservice to the Commonwealth.

“My work in a public university is important to my life as an educator and member of this community, where I can make a difference in students’ lives.”

Prof. Kay Doyle ’77,Chair of Clinical Laboratory and Nutritional Sciences Department

Ken Geiser Awarded University Professorship

Known worldwide as a visionary environmental policy expert Prof. Ken Geiser of Work Environment wasawarded the honor of “UniversityProfessor,” the most esteemed titlebestowed on a faculty member. The honor is conferred specifically for excellence in teaching, researchand service. Ken will deliver a University-wide lecture during eachyear of the three-year appointment.He served as the director of the Toxics Use Reduction Institute atUMass Lowell from 1990 until 2003. He currently co-directs the University’s Lowell Center for Sustainable Production.

“I always try to encourage my students to question what is given, to dream of better solutions, and to find in themselves the capacity to make a more just and sustainable world."

Prof. Ken Geiser,Work Environment Department

May Futrell Wins LivingLegend Nursing Award

As an avid educator, researcherand author, May Futrell infusedthe study of gerontology intonursing degrees to improvehealth care for older adults. To honor her legacy, the Massa-chusetts Association of Regis-tered Nurses recently recognizedMay with the “Living Legend inMassachusetts Nursing Award.”Among her many contributionsto the field, May was the primaryauthor for the text “PrimaryHealth Care of the Older Adult,”a blueprint for master's level education for nurse practitionersin the area of gerontology.

“I’ve known what I was meant to do in the world. And I’vedone it. And I’ll just keep doingwhatever I can, as long as I can.”

Prof. May Futrell, Emerita of UMass Lowell and FormerChair of the Nursing Department

National Academy of Sciences Names David Wegman Committee Chairman

The National Academy of Sciences,whose members serve as advisers tothe nation on science, engineeringand medicine, named Prof. DavidWegman chair of a new committeethat will evaluate the grant selectionprocess as well as the relevance andquality of funded research for theNational Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research. The government institution awardsmore than $100 million annually in research and training grants toimprove the lives of individuals with disabilities from birth through adulthood.

“It is an honor to be asked by the National Academy of Sciences to lead this effort to assess the quality and performance of grant projects.”

Prof. David Wegman, Emeritus of UMass Lowell and Former Dean

Educating Tomorrow’s Leaders for a Healthier World

A HISTORY OF LEADERSHIP AND COLLABORATIVE INNOVATION

The School of Health and Environment at UMass Lowell has a long tradition of excellence in a highly collaborativeatmosphere within the School, across the University, andthroughout Massachusetts and beyond. Today’s enormoushealth and environmental problems demand creative solutions. With hands-on learning, community programs,real-world research opportunities and top-notch faculty, theSchool helps students see how the power of collaborationcan lead to excellence in prevention and treatment.

EDUCATING TOMORROW’S LEADERS THROUGH MEANINGFUL, SERVICE-FOCUSED EDUCATION

Every day, SHE students are given educational opportunitiesthat allow them to learn while accomplishing health-oriented community service. Physical Therapy students recently educated Special Olympic athletes, families andcoaches about improving function and performance at acompetition. Ten nursing seniors traveled to Ghana, Africato provide care to the people of the Kpando district.

The Nursing Students Without Borders (NSWB) groupbrought 400 pounds of supplies and returned home with a renewed appreciation for the power of teaching and promoting good health.

SUSTAINING A FOUNDATION OF EXCELLENCE

To sustain the School's excellence while embracing thechanging needs of our students, community and world, we will begin offering this year the only EnvironmentalHealth bachelor of science degree program in the Northeast. We continue to attract the best faculty and students to all of the School's disciplines and equip themwith what is needed to enable effective and meaningful education, service and research. Please join us in supporting this excellence.

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The Power of Possibility The Annual Campaign for UMass Lowell

You have two ways to give — give online at www.uml.edu/givenowor fill out this card and mail it using the enclosed postage-paid envelope (or mail to UMass Lowell,

Office of University Advancement, 250 Southwick Hall, One University Ave., Lowell, MA 01854).

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University of Massachusetts LowellSchool of Health and Environment3 Solomont Way, Suite OneLowell, MA 01854-5121

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Student Research: Many undergraduate students are eager to become involved with faculty research. They become beginning apprentices in the quest to improve health. We are establishing a Student Research Scholarship Fund to assist these students with the expenses involved with conducting research.

Student Global Experiences: The world has become a smaller place over the past 25 years and our students areexcited about learning more. Health professions students have a very tight curriculum due to all the informationneeded to be an effective practitioner. To give our students international experience without a long-term commitment, we are developing short-term experiences in various countries to help them understand health in a global context. Your contributions could assist students with the financial challenges world travel presents.

Help Students at the School of Health and Environment Gain a Deeper Knowledge

Educating Tomorrow’s Leaders for a Healthier World

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