Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health - 糖心Vlog Tue, 30 Sep 2025 17:08:09 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 糖心Vlog celebrates recovery with new campus resource fair /2025/09/17/georgia-southern-university-celebrates-recovery-with-new-campus-resource-fair Wed, 17 Sep 2025 19:28:17 +0000 https://ww2.georgiasouthern.edu/news/?p=24240 Georgia Southern's Center for Addiction Recovery is hosting a picnic and resource fair to raise awareness for the True Blue Recovery program. The event is Sept. 18 from noon to 3 p.m. on the Statesboro Campus.

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糖心Vlog celebrates recovery with new campus resource fair

鈥淩ecovery is real,鈥 said Julia Curiel, 糖心Vlog Center for Addiction Recovery (CAR) program coordinator.

That鈥檚 the message she and other speakers will share with the Georgia Southern community at the upcoming . The event takes place on Thursday, Sept. 18, from noon to 3 p.m. at the on the Statesboro Campus.

The event will feature information tables from 20 local organizations and Georgia Southern departments offering and supporting addiction and recovery resources for students. Attendees can also enjoy free pizza, refreshments and testimonials from individuals with recovery experiences. Live music will be provided from Rachel Elkins, a Georgia Southern student and member of local band, The Ripleys. 

The goal is to raise awareness of the University’s collegiate recovery program, True Blue Recovery at the CAR. Organizers said the event will celebrate recovery and emphasize that it is not only possible but also relevant and accessible for college students.

鈥淭he recovery community in Statesboro is thriving, and we want to showcase and celebrate that recovery is real and possible for everyone, including college students,鈥 said Curiel.

For organizers, the picnic is more than an opportunity to share resources and promote recovery. It reflects decades of research and program development that have supported many students in recovery. Research from the has shown that students who participate in collegiate recovery programs tend to achieve higher GPAs, graduate at higher rates and benefit from a strong support system that reinforces their recovery journey.

鈥淭he reason collegiate recovery programs work is because they offer students a supportive peer community and an alternative social environment, which is one that helps them navigate a campus culture where substance use can be a part of social life,鈥 said Robert Bohler, Ph.D., CAR executive director and Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health assistant professor. 鈥淚n our program, we create opportunities for students to build meaningful connections and positive social support.鈥

Part of what makes the True Blue Recovery program successful is that it is shaped by people who have personally benefited from it. Both Curiel and Bohler are in long-term recovery. Nearly 10 years ago, Bohler found the help he needed through True Blue Recovery, along with a passion for developing programs that assist students when they need it most. Curiel, a Certified Addiction Recovery Empowerment Specialist, said her years of work have given her the honor of witnessing many people transform their lives in recovery.

鈥淭he state of Georgia is actually leading the way nationally in the recovery movement in regards to people getting in recovery, sustaining recovery and advocating for recovery publicly,鈥 said Curiel. 鈥淲e have done a lot of work in this state to make that known to the larger population. I’m so grateful to be a part of it.鈥

The resource fair is funded by a grant from the Georgia Council for Recovery and the Georgia Department for Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.

CAR, part of the  Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, provides recovery support services to college students in recovery from alcohol and drug addiction. The center also works to increase the knowledge and understanding of addiction and recovery among students, researchers, clinicians and the rural community through education and translational research. For more information on CAR, visit this webpage.

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Grit, grace and groundwater: A Georgia Southern journey through Ghana /2025/08/27/grit-grace-and-groundwater-a-georgia-southern-journey-through-ghana Wed, 27 Aug 2025 16:34:29 +0000 https://ww2.georgiasouthern.edu/news/?p=24159 Georgia Southern's Study Abroad Program for Ghana took part in a collaborative research project centered on occupational and environmental exposures, particularly in illegal mining zones in Ghana鈥檚 Ashanti Region.

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Grit, grace and groundwater: A Georgia Southern journey through Ghana

The program's 2025 cohort took part in a collaborative research project centered on occupational and environmental exposures, particularly in illegal mining zones in Ghana鈥檚 Ashanti Region.
The program's 2025 cohort took part in a collaborative research project centered on occupational and environmental exposures, particularly in illegal mining zones in Ghana鈥檚 Ashanti Region.

When Professor Worlanyo Eric Gato, Ph.D., watches his students walk through the iron gates of Cape Coast Castle for the first time, he doesn鈥檛 say much. He doesn鈥檛 have to.

鈥淭hey feel it,鈥 he says. 鈥淵ou can see it in their faces.鈥

That moment 鈥 walking the same stone floors where generations of enslaved Africans once stood 鈥 is just one of many that define 糖心Vlog鈥檚 Study Abroad Program in Ghana, a three-week immersive experience blending public health research, cultural engagement and emotional growth. Led by a multidisciplinary team of faculty from the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health (JPHCOPH), the College of Science and Mathematics (COSM) and the Institute for Water and Health (IWH), the program gives students more than academic insight. It gives them perspective.

Originally founded by the late Evans Afriyie-Gyawu, Ph.D., the Ghana Study Abroad Program has evolved into a high-impact educational model under the direction of JPHCOPH faculty members Bettye Apenteng, Ph.D., and Samuel Opoku, Ph.D., along with Gato. Their shared mission is clear: foster cultural awareness and empower students to address complex global health challenges 鈥 starting with those rooted in Ghana鈥檚 communities.

Real research, real impact

The program’s 2025 cohort took part in a collaborative research project centered on occupational and environmental exposures, particularly in illegal mining zones in Ghana鈥檚 Ashanti Region. Funded by Georgia Southern鈥檚 Internal Seed Funds, the IWH and the Office of Research and Economic Development, the project explored the relationship between water and soil-borne contaminants and chronic health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and metabolic syndrome.

鈥淭his wasn鈥檛 a simulation, this was the real thing,鈥 said Nick Guerra, a graduate student studying public health. 鈥淲e were in the field, collecting water samples, interviewing residents and working side by side with Ghanaian students.鈥

Their findings were sobering. Water samples from community wells revealed contamination by fecal bacteria. Soil tests uncovered dangerously high levels of heavy metals 鈥 arsenic, lead, copper, mercury 鈥 linked to illegal mining activities. And medical surveys showed widespread hypertension, often undiagnosed or untreated.

What made the work even more meaningful was its collaborative nature. Georgia Southern students were paired with their counterparts at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), building not only research teams but friendships.

鈥淲e taught each other,鈥 said Tia Taylor, another graduate student in the public health program. 鈥淲e shared techniques, ideas and stories. They were just as curious about us as we were about them.鈥

For Gato, the partnerships are central to the program鈥檚 success. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not just about coming to Ghana and collecting data,鈥 he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about mutual exchange 鈥 of knowledge, of culture, of purpose.鈥

Learning beyond the classroom

Beyond the data and research, the students鈥 most lasting lessons often came from unexpected places: dinner tables, prayer circles and dirt roads deep in rural Ghana.

One night, when their van got stuck on an unpaved road, a group of local young men came to the rescue. 

鈥淭here was no tow truck, no roadside assistance,鈥 Gato recalled. 鈥淛ust kindness. The kind of kindness that stays with you.鈥

Hospitality became a theme. Students dined with host families, learned about traditional dishes and participated in household prayer rituals. They shared laughs, tears and silent moments of awe.

鈥淭hese interactions humanized the experience,鈥 Gato said. 鈥淕hana became more than a destination 鈥 it became a network of relationships.鈥

Taylor agreed. 

鈥淭heir warmth was overwhelming,鈥 she said. 鈥淭heir faith, constant. It made me want to pray more, to be more grounded. It changed the way I see people 鈥 and myself.鈥

Cultural immersion meets academic rigor

In classrooms and research sites alike, students embraced a multidisciplinary lens. Their work spanned biochemistry, environmental science and public health 鈥 and was guided by faculty from three academic units. Each stop on the itinerary was carefully chosen, from university campuses to cultural landmarks, to create a holistic picture of health in Ghana.

Aslan, who led the environmental assessment and coordinated teams of students from both KNUST and Georgia Southern during the research leg, carried both personal and scientific aspirations into the study.

鈥淭hirteen years ago, when I began my journey at Georgia Southern as a new faculty member, we launched a water quality and health assessment with the late Dr. Afriyie-Gyawu,鈥 Aslan said. 鈥淭hat project produced an impactful research paper with students 鈥 one that still receives high citations today. Now, years later, to be collaborating with an exceptional team of new research partners from KNUST on such a cutting-edge project is beyond exciting. This project is a testament to IWH鈥檚 commitment to advancing global water initiatives, as our center continues to make a meaningful impact in Georgia and around the world.鈥

For Guerra, that meant recognizing how social and economic conditions shape public health outcomes. 

鈥淪ome of the people we interviewed looked decades older than they were,鈥 he said. 鈥淚t hit me 鈥 poverty and limited access to health care age you.鈥

Taylor, whose background is in health leadership, said the trip helped her mature both personally and professionally. 

鈥淚t鈥檚 one thing to read about global health challenges in a textbook,鈥 she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 another to sit with someone, hold their hand and ask about their blood pressure.鈥

Growing the pipeline

The program鈥檚 future is just as ambitious as its present.

In its next phase, the Ghana Study Abroad Program plans to expand its reach to students from Georgia Southern鈥檚 Africana Studies Program and institutions across south Georgia, broadening access to underrepresented populations. New research partnerships with the University of Cape Coast and the University of Health and Allied Sciences in Ho, Ghana, will allow for more geographically diverse studies. The goal, according to Gato, is to build a sustainable pipeline for interdisciplinary, international collaboration.

Two students measure random blood sugar levels using the glucose meter kits while others consult about the preliminary findings.

鈥淭his is more than a trip. It鈥檚 a launchpad,鈥 he said.

With strong institutional support from the Director of the IWH and faculty member within JPHCOPH Asli Aslan, Ph.D., the Dean of JPHCOPH Stuart Tedders, Ph.D., and Vice President for Research and Economic Development David Weindorf, Ph.D., the program exemplifies Georgia Southern鈥檚 commitment to global engagement. Even the logistical hiccups 鈥 missed flights, shifting hotel reservations, slow internet 鈥 became part of the learning process.

鈥淲e adapted,鈥 Gato said. 鈥淲e smiled through it. And we came back stronger.鈥

Advice for other faculty

When asked what he鈥檇 tell faculty thinking about launching their own global experiential learning program, Gato鈥檚 answer is simple: know your 鈥渨hy,鈥 build your team and lead with gratitude.

鈥淟et your local partners lead,鈥 he said. 鈥淟isten more than you speak. And always thank the people who make the experience possible 鈥 from bus drivers to tour guides to the students themselves.鈥

A lasting legacy

For some, like Taylor, the trip was a connection to ancestral roots. For others, like Guerra, it was a journey into a future career in global health. And for faculty like Gato, it was another step in a long walk toward transformative education 鈥 one that transcends borders, disciplines and expectations.

鈥淓verything we teach in a lecture hall comes alive in Ghana,鈥 he said. 

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Public Health students present varied research in Creative Scholars Showcase /2025/05/21/public-health-students-present-varied-research-in-creative-scholars-showcase Wed, 21 May 2025 20:54:55 +0000 https://ww2.georgiasouthern.edu/news/?p=23931 On April 9, the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health celebrated Public Health Week by highlighting the work of some of its student scholars in its first annual Creative Scholars Showcase.聽

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Public Health students present varied research in Creative Scholars Showcase

On April 9, the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health celebrated by highlighting the work of some of its student scholars in its first annual Creative Scholars Showcase. 

The showcase aligned with the national theme 鈥淧rotecting, Connecting, and Thriving,鈥 and explored a myriad of topics with local and global implications, including access to mental health services in rural areas, domestic violence prevention, and methods to combat food insecurity in foreign countries.

In his opening remarks, the college鈥檚 Dean Stuart Tedders, Ph.D, spoke of Georgia Southern鈥檚 鈥渜uest鈥 to raise its research profile and the importance of combining research and practical experience.

鈥淭he thing that excites me the most about this creative scholars’ showcase is the coupling of research and practice,鈥 he said. 鈥淏oth are very important, but when you combine the two, the knowledge gained in research can be used to make a difference in the real world.鈥

Emmanuel Azu doctoral student presenting his research at Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health Creative Scholars Showcase, April 9, 2025

Emmanuel Azu, is pursuing a doctorate in public health with a focus on biostatistics and is among the students working to make that difference. He presented his research on the efficacy of school feeding programs in Nigeria, an experience that has been an invaluable stepping stone in his professional and academic career.

鈥淢y current research has really helped me improve my writing and presentation skills,鈥 he explained. 

Azu added that opportunities to communicate with the public have served as essential points of connection in his career, something befitting of this year鈥檚 theme.

鈥淢y ultimate professional goal is to optimize health data management in underserved communities, he said. 鈥淭o do that, you have to be able to relate to the community, and platforms like these  give me the confidence to talk about my research in public and even connect with people of different backgrounds.鈥

The intersection of communication and public health is also particularly poignant for

Tobi Oloyede, a second-year DrPH student focusing on community health. She presented a poster highlighting her practice experience with .

Oloyede鈥檚 project originated from a communications and advocacy class. She worked with staff at Child Advocacy Services in Statesboro to create fact sheets that would be used as a part of a larger communications plan by the organization to prevent child abuse.

Oloyede emphasized the value of working and learning in the community. 

鈥淭his experience taught me about the power of combining data and design,鈥 she said. 鈥淏efore, I just thought it was a matter of using Canva to create something that looked good. It turned out to require a lot more precision. Our design and language were inspired by the data and specific objectives we had to reach the community.鈥

Plenary speaker Stacy Smallwood, Ph.D, also reiterated the benefits of a multidisciplinary approach to public health. He currently serves as the executive director of the Wake Forest School of Divinity鈥檚 Faith COMPASS Center.

Smallwood spoke about the Center鈥檚 efforts to end the stigma around HIV/AIDS in the South, and the vital role faith communities can play in empowering those who may be dealing with illness and social marginalization.

The importance of communication and connection in addressing public health challenges and improving outcomes is something that Research Associate Dean , recognizes, and it is in part why she spearheaded the effort to make the Creative Scholars Showcase happen.

鈥淥ur faculty mentor students in practice, engagement, and research initiatives,鈥 she said. 鈥淭he Showcase provides a platform to share the results and foster collaborations within the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health and the Georgia Southern community. Through this initiative, we believe students learn the value of dissemination and their role in enhancing the college’s research profile.鈥

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糖心Vlog Graduate: A Journey of self-discovery /2025/05/20/georgia-southern-university-graduate-a-journey-of-self-discovery Tue, 20 May 2025 16:06:11 +0000 https://ww2.georgiasouthern.edu/news/?p=23879 Shaped by the resilient spirit of her Gullah Geechee heritage in Harris Neck, Georgia, Kay'La Brennon鈥檚 path at 糖心Vlog has been one of self-discovery. Her first semester as an undeclared major revealed her true calling: public health.

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糖心Vlog Graduate: A Journey of self-discovery

Shaped by the resilient spirit of her Gullah Geechee heritage in Harris Neck, Georgia, Kay’La Brennon鈥檚 path at 糖心Vlog has been one of self-discovery. Although she initially applied as a nursing major, her first semester as an undeclared major revealed her true calling: public health.

Reflecting on this shift, Brennon shared, 鈥淲hat pivoted me was realizing that I wanted to become a physician. After becoming involved in research, I realized I wanted to become a physician-scientist, leading me to find the major that would allow me to fulfill these passions and interests. Public health is an interdisciplinary field that allows me to fuse all my identities and interests in uplifting communities.鈥

Taking dual enrollment courses in high school enabled Brennon to start her college career early and quickly dive into research, the invaluable hands-on learning experience Georgia Southern provides undergraduates and graduate students.

鈥淛oining research projects my freshman year and attending and presenting at conferences ignited my passion for it,鈥 she recalled. 鈥淚 wanted a career where I could impact patients directly through patient care and breakthroughs, and developments in research.鈥

In her years at Georgia Southern, Brennon was an Honors College student, Goel Scholar and chaired the Dean鈥檚 Student Advisory Committee, which provides a forum for students to address their concerns in the .

Now that she is graduating this May with a bachelor’s degree Brennon admits her years of study have been filled with challenges, victories and failures. But the confidence she gained is what surprised her most.

鈥淚鈥檓 from a very rural county and have been pretty shy and reserved my whole life,鈥 the public health scholar explained. 鈥淏eing in college, I鈥檝e broken out of my shell and gotten to know so many amazing people and shown my leadership skills in many positions. From starting an organization on campus, Resourceful Ambassadors of Medicine (RAM), to joining my illustrious and impactful sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (AKA), I鈥檝e spread my wings and seen my own capabilities.鈥

During her time on the Statesboro Campus, Brennon actively engaged in opportunities that fostered her commitment to service, including leading volunteer trips with Serve912, and participating in the Southern Leaders program. Those experiences resonated deeply with her involvement in AKA, a sorority with service at its foundation.

鈥淧art of its purpose is service to all mankind,鈥 Brennon stated. 鈥淥ne big principle in my life is community, and that is where my heart is鈥 and so being a part of this sisterhood, I could impact the community.鈥

Brennon鈥檚 journey at Georgia Southern was deeply influenced by her upbringing. Born in Angleton, Texas, and raised with both an older sister and an older brother, she experienced both joy and sorrow. Her brother passed away at age 19. Her family returned to Harris Neck near Savannah, Georgia, to help care for her grandmother who had Alzheimer鈥檚 disease. Still, the new graduate remembers her early life warmly. 

鈥淢y childhood was always filled with family, love and joy no matter the circumstances, she said. 鈥淢y family has always supported each other, with prayer being in the midst of it all.鈥

These strong family bonds instilled in her a remarkable resilience, a quality she identifies as a significant achievement during her college years.

鈥淓ven when things get tough, and they surely do, I find a way to get things done,鈥 she affirmed, adding that she credits her mother鈥檚 strength and caring for her drive and motivation. 鈥淪he鈥檚 the kindest, strongest and most loving person I know, so I am honored to be her daughter and make her proud. I thank her and my Oma for their support and desire to see me succeed.鈥

As she looks back, Brennon recognizes her time at Georgia Southern has been transformative, extending far beyond academics. She acknowledged, 鈥淢y perception of myself has changed. I鈥檝e learned more about my capabilities and what I used to perceive as possible. I have no doctors in my family, which played into the reason I applied to Georgia Southern as a nursing major. I did not see being a physician, let alone a physician-scientist, as a possibility.鈥

Brennon is ready to embark on a future she once didn鈥檛 imagine. She will work as a Doctoral Diversity Program Scholar at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore and is eager to impact a new community through her research and volunteer efforts.

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Georgia Southern鈥檚 Center for Addiction Recovery receives major funding from Georgia Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust /2025/05/14/georgia-southerns-center-for-addiction-recovery-receives-major-funding-from-georgia-opioid-crisis-abatement-trust Wed, 14 May 2025 19:34:40 +0000 https://ww2.georgiasouthern.edu/news/?p=23812 Georgia is in the midst of an opioid crisis. However, widespread implementation of public health interventions is creating a positive impact, with opioid overdose deaths declining sharply in the state since mid-2023. 糖心Vlog鈥檚 Center for Addiction Recovery, housed in the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health (JPHCPH), continues to be involved in translational research, helping Georgia respond to this public health emergency.

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Georgia Southern鈥檚 Center for Addiction Recovery receives major funding from Georgia Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust

Georgia is in the midst of an opioid crisis. However, widespread implementation of public health interventions is creating a positive impact, with opioid overdose deaths declining sharply in the state since mid-2023. 糖心Vlog鈥檚 Center for Addiction Recovery, housed in the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health (JPHCPH), continues to be involved in translational research, helping Georgia respond to this public health emergency. The program has received nearly $800,000 in funding across four projects through Georgia鈥檚 Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust. The work officially begins this month and will continue over the next two years.

The research team includes Robert Bohler, Ph.D., and William Mase, DrPH, from the Department of Health Policy and Community Health in the JPHCPH, and Ryan Lofaro, Ph.D., from the Department of Public and Nonprofit Studies in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences. The four projects include:

-A two-year initiative to help critical access hospitals in rural areas of Georgia better respond to the opioid crisis in their communities;

-An 18-month training program to help recovery community organizations enhance the operation of their nonprofit organizations;

-A one-year research project to generate foundational knowledge on harm reduction services in Georgia;

-A two-year project to fund the enhancement of the collegiate recovery program at Georgia Southern.

There are 30 critical access hospitals across Georgia playing a crucial role in providing health care services in rural communities, including addiction prevention and treatment. The critical access hospital project, led by Mase, aims to improve these rural hospitals鈥 response to the opioid crisis and other substance-related issues by increasing prescription opioid safety and providing users with evidence-based addiction treatment. Specific attention will be given to opioid education, prevention, treatment and harm-reduction strategies in Georgia鈥檚 rural communities served by this network.

鈥淥ur established relationships with critical access hospital leadership statewide provide an opportunity to promote positive change concerning opioid use and overdose prevention,鈥 Mase said. 鈥淲e are honored to have been selected by Georgia鈥檚 Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust to do this important work to improve the well-being of community residents and reduce the financial and capacity strain placed on the state鈥檚 rural hospital network.鈥

Recovery community organizations like Freedom Through Recovery in Statesboro offer vital recovery support services to individuals with substance use disorders. The recovery community organization project, led by Lofaro in collaboration with Tina Patterson, Ph.D., Candice Bodkin, Ph.D.. and Cary Christian, Ph.D., from the Department of Public and Nonprofit Studies, aims to develop and implement a training and education series for organization directors and staff in Georgia. The goal of the initiative is to enhance skills related to managing organizational operations and services for individuals with opioid use disorder.

“Recovery community organizations do truly inspiring addiction and recovery work in our communities,鈥 Lofaro said. 鈥淲e hope to survey and interview directors about their organizational management needs, then apply our expertise to develop targeted training programs and a report with best practices.鈥

He added that their goal is to complement their knowledge in addiction and recovery with nonprofit management skills.

Harm reduction services, such as distributing naloxone to reverse an opioid overdose, are a critical component in addressing the opioid crisis. The harm reduction project, led by Bohler, aims to map harm reduction services in Georgia, with a particular focus on rural areas. In addition, the project will document state and local policies that may hinder or facilitate access to these services and examine the state鈥檚 harm reduction workforce through a statewide survey.

鈥淗arm reduction services save lives and can be an important touchpoint to link people to addiction treatment and other services,鈥 Bohler said. 鈥淥ur project will help us better understand these services in Georgia and provide actionable recommendations for their expansion.鈥

Collegiate recovery programs offer services, resources, community and programming for students to ensure they are able to both sustain their recovery and complete their education. Georgia Southern has had a collegiate recovery program since 2008. The new funding through Georgia鈥檚 Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust will sustain and enhance services offered to students. It will also help promote the program so that current and future college students at Georgia Southern can benefit.

鈥淭he collegiate recovery program at Georgia Southern has played a huge role in my success as a student, graduate assistant and a person in recovery,鈥 said Tom Harris, a Master of Public Health student and member of the collegiate recovery program. 鈥淭his new funding will expand access to the support and resources students need to thrive in these areas.鈥

Bohler has had the chance to watch multiple students involved in this program flourish by getting their college degrees, then going on to build successful careers.

鈥淚 am excited that we will be able to continue to offer these opportunities to current and future college students in recovery so that they can experience the same successes,鈥 he said.

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糖心Vlog ranked among nation鈥檚 Best Graduate Schools by U.S. News & World Report /2025/04/09/georgia-southern-university-ranked-among-nations-best-graduate-schools-by-u-s-news-world-report Wed, 09 Apr 2025 18:22:11 +0000 https://ww2.georgiasouthern.edu/news/?p=23629 The University鈥檚 Master of Public Health and Doctor of Physical Therapy programs were ranked No. 84 and No. 132, respectively, in a new survey by peer academic leaders.

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糖心Vlog ranked among nation鈥檚 Best Graduate Schools by U.S. News & World Report

U.S. News & World Report has ranked 糖心Vlog鈥檚 graduate programs among the best in the nation.

The University鈥檚 and Doctor of Physical Therapy programs were ranked No. 84 and No. 132, respectively, in a new survey by peer academic leaders.

Georgia Southern鈥檚 graduate programs in and stand out for their hands-on, practice-based curricula that provide students with hundreds of hours in practicum and full-time clinical practice. Students who choose to study public health also have the opportunity to specialize in one of seven concentrations, with in-person and online program options.

As the largest educational institution in Southeast Georgia, the University supports faculty and student research initiatives to serve rural and underserved communities, giving students the chance to assist distressed hospitals and make a difference before graduation.

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Leading medical journal publishes groundbreaking research by JPHCOPH faculty, students聽 /2025/02/05/leading-medical-journal-publishes-groundbreaking-discovery-by-georgia-southern-university-researchers Wed, 05 Feb 2025 14:40:44 +0000 https://ww2.georgiasouthern.edu/news/?p=23387 The Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition has published a groundbreaking discovery based on work from 糖心Vlog researchers. Doctoral students enrolled in a seminar on the epidemiology of chronic diseases have found a rising, positive trend in American adolescents: the liver health of youth aged 12 to 19 is improving.聽

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Leading medical journal publishes groundbreaking research by JPHCOPH faculty, students聽

The Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition has published a groundbreaking discovery based on work from 糖心Vlog Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health researchers. Doctoral students enrolled in a seminar on the epidemiology of chronic diseases have found a rising, positive trend in American adolescents: the liver health of youth aged 12 to 19 is improving.聽

The most common form of liver disease affecting this age range is known as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), which more than seven million American children suffer from. 

MASLD occurs when fat deposits in the liver damage the liver cells. Fatty buildup like this creates scarring over time which can lead to liver failure. 

But, years of clinical research by Georgia Southern researchers are beginning to pay off. Their studies, supported by the latest visual analytical tools, have led to a revolutionary breakthrough conclusion: the mean levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), a key biomarker for MASLD, have decreased in recent years.

鈥淭his improvement signifies the success of implementing population-wide interventions,鈥 explained Georgia Southern graduate student and study co-author Arshpreet Mallhi. 鈥淭he main findings encourage strengthening the interventions to curb the intake of a high sugar diet, especially fructose.鈥

Mallhi and her fellow co-authors Victoria Roy, Haresh Rochani and Keagan Kiely, led by Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health Epidemiology Professor Jian Zhang, MD, are pleased with their findings, but their research isn鈥檛 over yet.

鈥淭he ultimate goal is to improve the overall health of American children,鈥 explained Zhang. 鈥淥ur findings provide a more nuanced understanding of liver health trends among American youth. While the decrease in mean ALT levels is encouraging, the high prevalence of elevated ALT values calls for intensified clinical prevention and patient care.鈥 

The discovery brings hope to patients living with MASLD through research conducted at Georgia Southern. 

鈥淭he changes we鈥檝e seen are moving in the right direction,鈥 explained Stuart Tedders, Ph.D., epidemiology professor and dean of Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health. 鈥淭he statistics show a lot of promise for multi-level social-engineering efforts. It motivates us. There鈥檚 more to learn, more to do and more we can improve on.鈥

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College of Public Health professor wins international research award聽 /2024/09/23/college-of-public-health-professor-wins-international-research-award Mon, 23 Sep 2024 15:16:30 +0000 https://ww2.georgiasouthern.edu/news/?p=23052 Gulzar Shah, Ph.D., professor and department chair of Health Policy and Community Health in the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health was recently awarded a 2024 Best Researcher Award by the organization International Academic Achievements.聽

International Academic Achievements recognizes scholars who have made significant accomplishments in the field of education, research and scholarly work that have global recognition and impact.

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College of Public Health professor wins international research award聽

Gulzar Shah, Ph.D., professor and department chair of Health Policy and Community Health in the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health was recently awarded a 2024 Best Researcher Award by the organization International Academic Achievements.聽

International Academic Achievements recognizes scholars who have made significant accomplishments in the field of education, research and scholarly work that have global recognition and impact.

Gulzar Shah, Ph.D., professor and department chair of Health Policy and Community Health in the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health (JPHCOPH), was recently awarded a 2024 Best Researcher Award by the organization International Academic Achievements.聽

International Academic Achievements recognizes scholars who have made significant accomplishments in the field of education, research and scholarly work that have global recognition and impact.

鈥淎s department chair, Dr. Shah has been consistent in leading by example through excellence in scholarship,鈥 said JPHCOPH Dean Stuart Tedders, Ph.D. 鈥淎n impactful scholar, he embraces JPHCOPH values of passion for improving the health of rural and underserved populations and making a difference in the lives of those we serve.”  

Recognized for honorable achievement in innovative research in the categories of social determinants of health, health equity and child nutrition, Shah garnered the accolade for his published work in Children, an international, peer-reviewed, open-access journal on children鈥檚 health. 

“This award not only reflects individual achievement but also the collaborative and supportive environment that our college fosters,” Shah said. 

Shah鈥檚 multi-sector work experience spans over 29 years with appointments in both academia and public health practice agencies, nationally and internationally. Prior to joining JPHCOPH in 2012, he was the lead research scientist at the National Association of County and City Health Departments and the director of research at the National Association of Health Data Organizations prior to that. He also served at the Utah State Department of Health for six years, contributing significantly to patient safety projects, maternal and child health research, informatics projects and health services and systems research.

His broader research interests include eHealth and public health informatics; data improvement; health equity, social determinants of health and health disparities; and Public Health Services and Systems Research (PHSSR). Specific PHSSR areas of research interests include accreditation of health departments; public health workforce; public health finance; evidence-based public health and practice-based research; quality improvement; and global HIV services. 

Shah won Georgia Southern鈥檚 2016 Award for Excellence in Research. Recognized for his contributions, he was listed in the 2019 Marquis Who鈥檚 Who for his outstanding achievements in health. Shah holds numerous editorial leadership roles in prominent public health journals. He serves on the editorial board of the American Journal of Public Health and is the consulting editor for biostatistics for the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice. He also contributes as an editorial board member for the scientific journal, BMC Public Health, in public health informatics, is a topic editor for the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health and is an associate editor for Frontiers in Public Health.

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Georgia Military College and 糖心Vlog provide pathways for post-Bachelor-level degree pursuits /2024/03/08/georgia-military-college-and-georgia-southern-university-provide-pathways-for-post-bachelor-level-degree-pursuits Fri, 08 Mar 2024 22:08:00 +0000 https://ww2.georgiasouthern.edu/news/?p=22609 In the spirit of academic cooperation, Georgia Military College (GMC) and 糖心Vlog (GSU) have solidified an articulation agreement, emphasizing their commitment to academic collaboration. The agreement streamlines the transition of GMC Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) graduates into graduate programs offered at GS through the Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies, the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, and the Parker College of Business.

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Georgia Military College and 糖心Vlog provide pathways for post-Bachelor-level degree pursuits

In the spirit of academic cooperation, Georgia Military College (GMC) and 糖心Vlog (GSU) have solidified an articulation agreement, emphasizing their commitment to academic collaboration. The agreement streamlines the transition of GMC Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) graduates into graduate programs offered at GS through the Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies, the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, and the Parker College of Business.

Georgia Military College is dedicated to expanding avenues for students to realize their educational aspirations beyond the undergraduate level. In harmony with this ethos, 糖心Vlog extends its graduate programs to GMC BAS graduates, opening doors to advanced academic pursuits and career opportunities. Georgia Southern offers a diverse range of degree programs tailored to meet the evolving needs of today’s workforce.

“We are excited about this collaboration with Georgia Southern, which will undoubtedly enrich the academic landscape for our students and contribute to their professional growth,” said Lt. Gen William B. Caldwell, IV, USA (Ret), president of Georgia Military College. “This partnership offers a well-defined and supportive pathway for students pursuing graduate degrees, with both institutions committed to guiding and assisting students at every stage of their journey.”

Under this transformative agreement, GMC BAS graduates with enthusiasm for academic advancement can explore various program options at GSU, including the Georgia WebMBA庐 (WebMBA), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Logistics and Supply Chain Management (MSLSCM), Master of Criminal Justice and Criminology (MSCIC), Master of Public Administration (hybrid -track) (MPA), Master of Health Administration (MHA), Master of Public Health (MPH), alongside Graduate Certificates in Cybersecurity (CCyb), Logistics and Transportation (CLT), Nonprofit Management, Leadership, and Innovation (CNMU), and Public Health (PHC).

鈥溙切腣log is committed to providing leading-edge educational opportunities that ensure student success while meeting industry demands,鈥 said Georgia Southern President Kyle Marrero. 鈥淲e are proud to partner with Georgia Military College to offer a clear pathway to academic and career achievement with Georgia Southern’s valuable graduate degrees.”

For further details on the expansive opportunities made available through this agreement, interested parties are encouraged to contact either academic institution.

Georgia Military College is an accredited public-independent liberal arts college with multiple satellite locations throughout the state of Georgia, a Global Online Leadership College, and a main campus in Milledgeville serving both residential cadets and non-cadet/non-residential commuter students and intercollegiate athletes. GMC is a federally recognized Predominantly Black Institution (PBI) with 56% of the student body being minority students. A primary focus of Georgia Military College is awarding Associate Degrees and preparing students for transfer to four-year colleges and universities.  A second focus is to provide pathways for students to attain their four-year Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) Degree. Georgia Military College鈥檚 mission is to produce educated citizens and contributing members of society in an environment conducive to the development of the intellect and character of its students. 鈥淪tart Here…Go Anywhere!鈥 For more information about Georgia Military College, visit . Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/georgiamilitarycollege, follow us on Twitter @GaMilCollege and Instagram @_georgiamilitarycollege.

糖心Vlog, a public Carnegie Doctoral/R2 institution founded in 1906, offers approximately 155 different degree programs serving more than 26,100 students through 10 colleges on three campuses in Statesboro, Savannah, Hinesville and online instruction. A leader in higher education in southeast Georgia with expert faculty, the University is focused on public impact research and engaging learning opportunities through knowledge and know-how that prepare our students to take ownership of their lives, careers and communities. Visit .

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糖心Vlog announces Fulbright US Scholar Award for 2023-2024 /2023/06/05/georgia-southern-university-announces-fulbright-us-scholar-award-for-2023-2024 Mon, 05 Jun 2023 18:10:08 +0000 https://ww2.georgiasouthern.edu/news/?p=21809 A noted 糖心Vlog public health professor has earned a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program award in All Disciplines to Latvia for the 2023-2024 academic year from the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.

Yelena N. Tarasenko, DrPH, is a professor at the Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Environmental Health Sciences at Georgia Southern鈥檚 Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health. Her Fulbright project is titled 鈥淪trengthening research and teaching capacity in cancer prevention globally.鈥

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糖心Vlog announces Fulbright US Scholar Award for 2023-2024

A noted 糖心Vlog public health professor has earned a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program award in All Disciplines to Latvia for the 2023-2024 academic year from the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.

, is a professor at the at Georgia Southern鈥檚 . Her Fulbright project is titled 鈥淪trengthening research and teaching capacity in cancer prevention globally.鈥 She will be collaborating with personnel and students at the Faculty of Medicine and Institute of Clinical and Preventive Medicine at the University of Latvia, as well as colleagues at the International Agency for Research on Cancer to help improve cancer care coordination and screening in Latvia and 14 European countries participating in the 鈥淭owards gastric cancer screening implementation in the European Union鈥 project. Given Tarasenko鈥檚 expertise in legal and cancer epidemiology, she will engage in (i) implementation research focused on cancer screening and patient navigation, and (ii) teaching activities focused on fostering research productivity (e.g., guest lecturing, curriculum development, advising, and mentoring).

Tarasenko is among more than 800 U.S. citizens who will teach or conduct research abroad for the 2023-2024 academic year through the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program. Fulbrighters engage in cutting-edge research and expand their professional networks, often continuing research collaborations started abroad and laying the groundwork for forging future partnerships between institutions. Upon returning to their home countries, institutions, labs, and classrooms, they share their stories and often become active supporters of international exchange, inviting foreign scholars to campus and encouraging colleagues and students to go abroad.

As Fulbright Scholar alumni, their careers are enriched by joining a network of thousands of esteemed scholars, many of whom are leaders in their fields. Notable include 62 Nobel Prize laureates, 89 Pulitzer Prize recipients, 78 MacArthur Fellows, and 41 who have served as a head of state or government. Since 1946, the Fulbright Program has provided more than 400,000 participants from over 160 countries – chosen for their academic merit and leadership potential – with the opportunity to exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to challenges facing our communities and our world.

“This is a wonderful validation of Dr. Tarasenko鈥檚 scholarship and expertise, and another example of Georgia鈥檚 Southern鈥檚 expanding reputation for public-impact research,鈥 said Carl Reiber, Ph.D., 糖心Vlog provost and vice president for academic affairs. 鈥淔ulbright scholars are among the world鈥檚 most talented academicians, and we congratulate Dr. Tarasenko for this achievement.鈥

More than 800 U.S. scholars — faculty members, artists, and professionals from all backgrounds — teach or conduct research overseas through the annually. In addition, over 2,000 U.S. students, artists, and early career professionals from all backgrounds in more than 100 different fields of study receive awards annually to study, teach English, and conduct research overseas. 

鈥淚鈥檓 excited to help expand our expertise on global health and develop a relationship with the only classical university in Latvia,鈥 Tarasenko said. 鈥淭his proposed project meets the university鈥檚 strategic pillars, as its leadership looks for ways to create and encourages opportunities for the exchange of teaching, research, scholarship, and professional development. It also meets the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health鈥檚 values and goals in terms of thinking globally and acting locally.鈥

The is the U.S. government鈥檚 flagship international educational exchange program and is supported by the people of the United States and partner countries around the world. The Fulbright Program is funded through an annual appropriation made by the U.S. Congress to the U.S. Department of State鈥檚 Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Participating governments and host institutions, corporations, and foundations around the world also provide direct and indirect support to the Program. In the United States, the Institute of International Education supports the implementation of the Fulbright U.S. Student and Scholar Programs on behalf of the U.S. Department of State, including conducting an annual competition for the scholarships. For more information about the Fulbright Program, visit. 

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