News and Events in College of Health and Human Development

2009

The College of Health and Human Development and The School of Nursing invite you to join them in Pink Zone - Breast Cancer Awareness and Lady Lion Basketball: Participate in this global effort to assist in raising breast cancer awareness on the court, across campuses, in communities, and beyond.
Health and Human Development Alumni Maintain NFL Athletes’ Health: During football season, many Penn State alumni are competing on television screens nationwide, vying to score or stop the next touchdown and get one step closer to the Super Bowl. But Penn State’s role in the NFL extends beyond the playing field, ensuring that people like Kerry Collins ’94 LIRBS, Robbie Gould ’05 Business, and Bobby Engram ’95 EXSCI stay strong and healthy. As athletic trainers, alumni from the College of Health and Human Development give players across the country the opportunity to make that next touchdown or tackle.
Researchers Examining Family-Strengthening Intervention: Penn State researchers are modifying and evaluating an existing family-strengthening intervention to broaden its effectiveness. The study is funded by a $3.3-million grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Alumna receives award for excellence in health care: Joyce F. Jackson ’75 S P A, president and chief executive officer of Northwest Kidney Centers in Seattle, has been named the recipient of Washington’s 2009 Warren Featherstone Reid Award for Excellence in Healthcare. The annual award is presented to health care providers and facilities in Washington that exhibit exceptional quality and value in the delivery of health services.
Professor appointed president of Academy of Leisure Sciences: Dr. Linda Caldwell, professor of recreation, park and tourism management, was elected president of the Academy of Leisure Sciences, effective October 14, 2009. The academy comprises nearly 100 elected members who have made major contributions to the study of leisure sciences.
H1N1 pandemic gives students a chance to learn and help others: Although dangerous, the H1N1 pandemic is giving three Nursing students and one Health Policy and Administration student a chance to get hands-on experience with epidemiology. The four students are interns with the Infection Control and Prevention department of University Health Services, where they help help others stay healthy, coordinate and run vaccination clinics, and monitor the spread of H1N1.
Study abroad helps student understand Iraqi refugee experience: When a group of Iraqi refugees showed up at her door one evening, Emily Thompson, a Kinesiology major, was not surprised. She had invited them over. In return for helping them perfect their English skills, they would be participants in a qualitative research project she had created. Her goal in the project was to learn about their experiences as refugees—about what it was like to be cast out from their homeland.
New study to give detailed picture of behavior, health, and well-being: A familiar technology is giving Penn State researchers a new view of human behavior and interpersonal interactions. Armed with cell phones, research participants will be submitting data in real time after every significant interaction (five minutes or longer) for three straight weeks. Researchers aim to provide a detailed description of how emotions, physical health, and personal interactions affect each other throughout the day.
Thoughtful words help couples stay fighting fit: Couples who bring thoughtful words to a fight release lower amounts of stress-related proteins, suggesting that rational communication between partners can ease the impact of marital conflict on the immune system. "Previous research has shown that couples who are hostile to each other show health impairments and are at greater risk of disease," said Dr. Jennifer Graham, assistant professor of biobehavioral health. "We wanted to know if couples who use thoughtfulness and reasoning in the midst of a fight incur potential health benefits."
Students become partially deaf for a day in audiology course: Students taking Dr. Judith Creuz’s introduction to audiology course (CSD 230) wear an ear plug for one day to experience what it would be like to have hearing loss. Creuz, who wears a hearing aid because of her own hearing loss, says she wants students to know what it’s like to live in her world. Students in Creuz’s class also have the opportunity to brush up on diagnostic skills in Penn State’s audiology clinic. All in all, the semester gives students a chance to get a first-hand look at audiology through the eyes of both patient and practitioner.
Third annual golf tournament raises $23,000 for professor’s research: For the third year in a row, proceeds from a charity golf tournament sponsored by Equipment Depot, of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, were donated to Penn State’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders to benefit the work of Dr. Janice Light, Distinguished Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders. A total of $70,000 has been donated to Light’s laboratory since the tournament and related fundraising efforts were initiated in 2007.
Culture clash in Africa is focus of free movie: Milking the Rhino, a documentary that explores how past conservation efforts in Africa have disconnected indigenous people from their traditional way of life, will be screened at 7:00 p.m. on November 17, 2009, in 110 Pattee Library (Foster Auditorium). The event is free and open to the public.
Faculty member inducted into American Academy of Nursing: Dr. Donna Fick, GCNS-BC, FGSA, associate professor in Penn State’s School of Nursing, was inducted into the American Academy of Nursing (AAN), as one of its 2009 fellows. She was inducted along with ninety-seven other nurse leaders at AAN’s annual awards ceremony and induction banquet in Atlanta, Georgia, on November 7, 2009.
Forum Speaker Series to feature Penn State professor of nutrition: Dr. Barbara J. Rolls, professor of nutrition and and the Helen A. Guthrie Chair in Nutrition at Penn State, will continue the 2009-10 Penn State Forum Speaker Series on Monday, Nov. 16 with a presentation, titled "Feeling Full on Fewer Calories." The talk will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the President's Hall at The Penn Stater conference center.
Work-family stress research highlighted at congressional briefing: Penn State researchers are examining how stress at work impacts employees and their families using a data collection method known as the "daily diary." Dr. Susan McHale, professor of human development and director of Penn State’s Social Science Research Institute, and three other investigators on the multisite Work, Family & Health Network presented data at a congressional briefing in October, titled “Workplace Practice, Health and Well-Being: Initial Research Findings from the Work, Family & Health Network.” McHale’s presentation focused on studying the effects of workplace stress using a daily diary.
Conference reveals complexity of NCAA sports–tax exemption debate: Whether or not NCAA sports should be tax exempt was the focus of a recent conference co-organized by the Department of Kinesiology. Several renowned experts convened to discuss some of the complexities of this debate. Participants discussed why NCAA sports are tax exempt, how tax exemptions are regulated in other organizations, and the relationship between financial revenue and colleges’ educational missions.
Longer toes, unique ankle structure aid sprinters: Longer toes and a unique ankle structure provide sprinters with the burst of acceleration that separates them from other runners, according to biomechanists. Dr. Stephen Piazza, associate professor of kinesiology, and his colleague Dr. Sabrina S. M. Lee '06g KINES, postdoctoral fellow at Simon Fraser University, Canada, studied the muscle architecture of the foot and ankle to look at the differences between sprinters and nonsprinters.
Hintz Family Student Center opens its doors to Health and Human Development students: Students in the College of Health and Human Development now have a place in Henderson Building where they can study, check e-mail, or meet up with friends. Room 10 Henderson Building has undergone a large-scale renovation and has been converted into the Hintz Family Student Center.
HPA professor to address impact of health care reform at Penn State Law conference: Dr. Deirdre McCaughey, assistant professor of health policy and administration, will be a panelist at an upcoming conference, "Lifting the Fog on Health Care Reform: Policy and Transactions." The goal of the conference is to "help participants understand the policy issues and assess the potential impact on the business community," said Samuel Thompson, Penn State Law professor.
Health and Human Development Events to Benefit Centre County United Way
Penn State Hotel and Restaurant Society names Kimpton’s Niki Leondakis 2009 Hospitality Executive of the Year
Insect Deli serves meal worms, crickets, and global nutrition awareness: At the annual Great Insect Fair, one professor and several students in the Department of Nutritional Sciences cooked and served delicious insects and tried to make it clear why people all over the world are eating bugs.
Collaborative program emphasizes team-based learning between nursing and medical school students
Iron…Works: John Beard Memorial Symposium to be held
Conti symposium to focus on healthy, cost-effective food
Awards ceremony to honor college faculty and staff
"Cook Like a Chef" show wins Mid-Atlantic Emmy
Center’s Inaugural Conference to Focus on Motor Control Research
Nike Scientist Mario Lafortune to Present Distinguished Alumni Speaker Series Lecture
Conference Asks: Should Big-Time College Athletics be a Tax-Exempt Enterprise?
Study to examine whether high-antioxidant spices improve health
Student Rides to Third Place in World Surf Kayak Championships
Researchers seek clues to hypertension’s origins, impacts
Conference to promote sustainability in education
Dalai Lama to Engage in Education Reform Dialogue at Upcoming Conference
Marlatt to present 2009 Bennett Lecture in Prevention Science
Susquehanna Health, Penn State announce strategic alliance
Program to train educational scientists gets under way
Gerontology Center appoints new leader
New historical marker celebrates biomechanics at Penn State
Professors’ Research Informs State Recreation Plan
New partnership provides volunteer opportunities to students
Scientist receives lifetime achievement award in behavior genetics
Penn State prepares for H1N1
Probing Question: Are 'superfoods' really nutritional powerhouses?
New program prepares students to work with immigrant children in rural areas
School of Nursing creates Web portal for nurse continuing education
RPTM names new department head
Nursing professor receives lifetime achievement award
Juran Fellowship Enhances Student's Research
Professor makes reform suggestions at White House health care meeting
Student awarded prestigious Winston Fellowship
Methodology Center's Summer Institute improves research skills
Faculty and alumna selected to contribute to first-ever National Physical Activity Plan
A healthy marriage may improve health
Siblings target of intervention program
Students embark on summer-long research exchange program (part 2)
Adult day care is better care
Doctoral candidates win SPR Cup
Professor receives grant to study immigrant Medicaid usage
Student receives award to study cognition in pregnancy
Zero tolerance alcohol policy good choice for parents
CSD students help Special Olympians hear
Can arguing predict developmental problems in infants?
Pennsylvania Rural Health Conference set for June 2 and 3
Health Policy and Administration student accepted to Kaiser Foundation scholars program
Professor to conduct first large-scale steroid study
Student’s struggle to overcome near-death accident culminates with commencement
Students embark on summer-long research exchange program (part 1)
Skin color clue to nicotine dependence
Inclusive recreation program positively impacts military personnel
Penn State center offers innovative food product testing
Drug combination leaves users vulnerable to addiction
Tourism project empowers Tanzanian communities
Professor selected to participate in ethics seminar
Professor receives fellowship to develop better oral nursing care for elders with dementia
Fundraising run/walk will benefit professor’s autism research
Davis reappointed member of Pennsylvania Commission for Women
Research team to study child care in rural Pennsylvania
New simulation laboratory to be unveiled at Nursing anniversary celebration
Professor aims to understand and fight leading cause of death in older women
Penn State plays integral role in $35 million stress project
Wray to present lecture on memory and retirement decisions
Teaching teachers mindfulness to foster education, improve well-being
"Iron Chef" fundraiser benefits Food Bank
Four HHD grad students receive awards at research exhibition
HHD students serve others on spring break
Professor to receive award from Society for Research in Child Development
Mobile clinic brings health care to rural Pennsylvanians

Bagley Slated to Give 2009 Mayers Lecture
Alumni Society Board reaches 100 percent participation in giving
Sainburg to discuss evolution of handedness at 2009 Pattishall Research Lecture
“Iron Chef” competition, open house to highlight Nutritional Sciences alumni weekend
Zatsiorsky honored with 2009 Faculty Scholar Medal
Professor To Evaluate Bilingual School Readiness Program
Faculty Member Participates in Sixteenth Annual National Collegiate Emergency Medical Services Conference
Second Degree Option Receives University and State Board of Nursing Approval
Team-Based Diabetes Care Fetches More Value For Dollar
Zarit’s Schmitt Russell lecture to discuss family care
Grant funds project studying infant sleep patterns and parenting
Penn State Program Aims to Reduce Teen Pregnancy Rates
Pennsylvania Task Force Recommends Educational Approach to Reducing Trans Fat Consumption
Six College of Health and Human Development students receive teaching award
The College of Health and Human Development and the School of Nursing invite you to join them in Pink Zone - Breast Cancer Awareness and Lady Lion Basketball

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News and Events in College of Health and Human Development

2009

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