Across the world we are all facing unprecedented times and are practicing safety protocols like wearing a mask, maintaining physical distancing and washing our hands frequently. Cyndi Kershaw, an undergraduate teaching assistant program coordinator for the School of Public Health, has been making cloth masks to help to stop the spread of COVID-19. She’s made over 100 masks and counting, with delivery spanning across the US from Maryland to California. She is asking everyone to donate funds in lieu of payment to the UMD Student Crisis Fund, the Campus Pantry, and/or Keep Me Maryland.

Spreading positivity and sharing messages of support is an important way to keep connected with one another while maintaining physical distancing. In the spirit of #KeepTogether, please enjoy a video message from our Dean Lushniak, as well as a #ShellsUnited video message from every one of our UMD academic deans.

Stephanie Grutzmacher MS ‘04, PhD ‘07, a former University of Maryland School of Public Health employee, is doing public health good during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing meals to ICU and ER healthcare workers throughout Maryland. While Stephanie now lives and works in Oregon, she remains a Marylander at heart. Stephanie has raised more than $6,000 with over 70 people from the School of Public Health, University of Maryland and friends across the US. Food will continue to be sent across the Maryland region as people continue to give and until the money runs out.

Cyndi Kershaw, an undergraduate teaching assistant program coordinator for the School of Public Health, is making cloth masks to help to stop the spread of COVID-19. Cyndi has made over 100 masks and counting, with delivery spanning across the US from Maryland to California. She is asking everyone to donate funds in lieu of payment to the UMD Student Crisis Fund, which has given over $570,000 to 1,200 students over the past few weeks.

Zeina Mohamad Alkhalaf didn’t plan to go into public health, at least not at first. She received a degree in communications and public relations and conducted humanitarian work through a non-profit. But at the age of 23, Zeina was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal disorder that affects around 200,000 individuals in the US every year and can lead to infertility, diabetes and even cancer.

A recent article in The Diamondback profiled a new group at the School of Public Health for LGBTQ+ students and allies. The group’s draft mission statement is to promote LGBTQ+ health equity and social justice by engaging in research, advocacy, education and leadership projects and initiatives at UMD and beyond. 

Human-induced climate change is disrupting nature’s calendar, including when plants bloom and the spring season starts, and new research from the University of School of Public Health suggests we’re increasingly paying the price for it in the form of seasonal allergies.

The Spring 2018 SPH faculty and staff assembly included plenty of great news about school and department-level accomplishments, and laughter and good cheer during the faculty and staff awards.

Dean Boris Lushniak spoke warmly about this being the culmination of the SPH ten-year anniversary celebration, highlighting the various celebrations that happened over the course of the academic year. He noted that the SPH commencement ceremony, happening this Saturday, May 19th, will mark the end of our anniversary year and the start of our second decade. 

The Gamma Zeta chapter of the Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health at the University of Maryland School of Public Health is pleased to announce its 2018 inductees. At the induction ceremony and awards reception on May 14, 2018, Dean Boris Lushniak and Principal Associate Dean Dushanka Kleinman inducted 16 students, seven faculty members, five alumni and one honorary member, Mr. Mark Luckner. The ceremony also recognized student research poster winners from each department of the school.