These are not normal times. On one public health front, we continue to struggle with COVID-19 infection rates, increasing deaths, and the implementation of a vaccination program. But public health action goes well beyond the response to an infectious disease pandemic.

Robb Cohen ‘85 and Gail Schwartz believe in the power of a college education. They believe that it’s a transformative experience that offers students a chance to pursue new opportunities, communities and life paths. 

“A college degree offers technical knowledge and opens doors, but also, the whole college experience is one that contributes to independence and advances social equity,” said Robb. “We believe it should be accessible to all,” added Gail.

In medical research, diversity matters. It is key to equity in health promotion, health care delivery and treatment. 

However, the health care field continues to struggle to recruit African Americans for research studies, according to a new journal article from Health Policy and Management Professor Stephen Thomas. 

Leading scientific and medical experts are calling upon the Biden Administration to take immediate action to address inhalation exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus as a cornerstone of the COVID-19 pandemic response.

The University of Maryland School of Public Health has joined CommuniVax, a new research coalition funded by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative to strengthen the community’s role and involvement in an equitable vaccination campaign. 

During Summer 2020, May 2021 graduate Lily Centra interned at Hanger Clinic: Orthotics and Prosthetics’ Manhattan, New York, location. She was able to shadow Certified Prosthetist John Rheinstein and his colleagues. During her time at the clinic, she was exposed to a variety of patients with upper limb prostheses, lower limb prostheses and orthotics. Centra was also able to learn a plethora of prosthetic fabrication and modification techniques.