ESA Newsletter - October 2024
ESA Newsletter - October 2024

ESA Newsletter - October 2024

And just like that, it’s October!

The Epidemiology Student Association (ESA) is proud to present the October edition of the departmental newsletter. We have quite a delight in store for you all, from putting the spotlight on the one and only Dr. Charlton to highlighting an international student’s perspective on transitioning to life in CPHB. We could not be any more excited about this edition.

If you are interested in helping with the production of the ESA newsletter, please contact the ESA board. You can otherwise help us keep this project afloat by using the button below to submit your pieces for future newsletters. 

This upcoming Monday (October 14th, 12:30-1:20 pm in C217), the ESA will be holding our monthly General Meeting with a twist. This month we are hosting a speed networking event for ALL students to get to know the faculty in our department. We will even have pizza for you all to enjoy!

If things could not get any better, we have plans to get spooky! Join us on 10/19 at 7:00 pm at the Iowa Memorial Union for a haunted house social with the Community and Behavioral Health department. The Campus Activity Board puts on a haunted house every year, and we thought there was no better way to celebrate this time of year!

As the weather gets colder, we get closer and closer to the time of year when the flu and COVID-19 spread easily. Have no fear; the University of Iowa has vaccination clinics for both students and faculty/staff. If one of these clinics does not fit your schedule, take a look at vaccines.gov to find a clinic near you. It’s our duty to public health!

Speaking of public health, civic engagement benefits individuals and communities! In the final few weeks before the election next month, please make sure you are all set to participate. The IPHA has put together a great website below for you to use and encourage others to use too!

Take the plunge and follow the Iowa Public Health Association's voting steps for the upcoming Presidential Election—if our faculty could handle the dunk tank, you can handle the ballot!

1. Register to vote     2. Decide voting method     3. Learn how to vote for public health     4. Vote!

Spotlight Corner

Dr. Charlton tandem skydiving with an instructor, mid-air, smiling with arms spread out. The text at the bottom says, "ESA ROCKS - Dr. Charlton in this exact moment, no doubt."

Faculty: Dr. Mary Charlton

Dr. Mary Charlton isn’t just analyzing risk factors—she’s living them! From publishing the record-breaking 2024 Cancer in Iowa report to jumping out of planes, Dr. Charlton knows a thing or two about exposure (both kinds!).

Want to know her secret to handling both cancer incidence rates and gravity? Click here for her full story and meet the Epi mentor who inspired it all! 

Yamam in glasses and a white headscarf smiling softly with a tiled wall and industrial ceiling in the background.

Student: Yamam Hussien

Yamam has gone from volunteering at Zaatari Refugee Camp to advocating for her fellow students as the recently elected First-Year Representative on the ESA Board.

Want to know what inspires her to keep pushing boundaries? Click above to read more about her journey!

Conference Hacks & Study Breaks: Sharpen Your Skills, Boost Your Health!

A promotional graphic for APHA 2024 features a woman flexing her muscles alongside event details for the Annual Meeting & Expo in Minneapolis, with the tagline "Rebuilding Trust in Public Health and Science."  

Evidence-Based Decision Making for Navigating APHA 2024

Ready to take on the APHA conference like a pro? Whether it’s perfecting your elevator pitch or packing those all-important comfortable shoes, our guide has you covered. Discover how to network, build your public health profile, and navigate the Minnesota cold—all in one click! 

The image shows a word search puzzle with terms related to breast cancer risk factors, such as "family history," "diet," and "chemical exposure," offering a fun and educational activity.

Spot the Risks: Uncover Breast Cancer Prevention Points

Take a study break and dive into our breast cancer risk factors word search! Unwind while learning about key points of intervention that can help reduce your risk—relax, refresh, and get informed all at once!

Global Health Lens & Awareness

Shravani bundled in a winter coat and gloves, smiles while standing outdoors with an Indian flag graphic above her, set against a backdrop of trees and modern buildings.

Navigating Global Paths: Success in Epidemiology for International Students

Shravani Jadhav brings her love for Navratri and Diwali to Iowa, where she's making her mark in epidemiology. Whether it’s dancing through festivals or navigating the challenges of international student life, she’s got stories to tell—and tips to share.

Want to know what helped her make Iowa home? Click above for her unique insights! 

LGBTQ+ History Month, Filipino American History Month, Global Diversity Awareness Month; October 1st: National Disability Employment Awareness Day; October 2-4: Rosh Hashanah (Judaism); October 10: World Mental Health Day; October 11: National Coming Out Day; October 11-12: Yom Kippur (Judaism); October 12: Dussehra (Dasara) (Hinduism); October 14: National Indigenous Peoples' Day; October 20-26: University of Iowa Homecoming; October 31: Diwali (Hinduism).

October Heritage, Identity, and Holy Days

This condensed table merges the Division of Access, Opportunity, and Diversity's Heritage and Identity Celebrations with the BMindFul Holy Dates Planner to provide key dates for cultural, religious, and historical awareness throughout October.

"BMindful does not include all religious holy days. It focuses on three major holy days for each faith — days when faith members may choose not to go to work or send their children to school."

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