School of Public Health Launches its Inaugural MPH Practicum Poster Fair Session

 

Dr. John Moraros with MPH Practicum Poster Fair Winners, Thilina Bandara, Carolyn Cyr and Gulzhan Maxutova.

Practicum placement is an important component of the Master of Public Health Program and in the last two years, the potential practicum sites for the MPH students have grown substantially from fewer numbers to more than hundred sites.

This year, fifty nine second year MPH students had the opportunity to showcase their practicum experience at a Poster Fair organized by the School of Public Health, University of Saskatchewan. The poster fair is the first of its kind since the Dean, Dr. Robert Buckingham came into office and it was gracefully attended by people from all walks of life including staff, faculty, students, field supervisors and distinguished guest like Dr. Nicholas White, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Bangkok and Winner of the Gairdner Foundation 2010 Global Health Award.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Buckingham praised the relentless efforts of the Program Director, Dr. John Moraros, Practicum Co-ordinator, Dr. Stephen Whitehead and staff of SPH for ensuring that all students had a practicum placement during the 2010/2011 academic session.

At this inaugural poster session, there were research topics in diverse areas of Public Health Practice both locally and internationally. This Poster fair is a testament that the SPH is preparing the students to meet the challenges of the Public Health Practices as it was reflected in the survey submitted by students at the end of their practicum placements. Overwhelming majority (100%) felt the work they did at the practicum placement is relevant to the organization and impacted their career paths.

The Poster Fair ended with recognition and awards of the best three posters. The award recipients are:

1st position: Carolyn Cyr with the topic: “Epidemiologic Investigation of HIV” And had her placement with “Health Protection and Public Health Division at Health Canada First Nations and Inuit Health (FNIH)”
2nd position: Gulzhan Maxutova with the topic: “Support for Sustained Breastfeeding among Vulnerable Populations” And had her placement with “Saskatoon Health Region”
3rd position: Thilina Bandara with the topic: “Reducing Vehicle Idling in Saskatoon Using Community-Based Social Marketing” And had his placement with “Saskatchewan Environmental Society”

By Daniel Bolaji, Second Year MPH Student.