Complete First Year of Studies, Check.

Andy

I thought I would sneak a short message in before all the “commencement blogs” are uploaded. Who cares about graduation anyway? Some of us have a whole other year left. This blog focuses on what’s important, the accomplishments of the Class of 2014 (Joking, congratulations to all the graduates!)

A few days ago, I hosted an end-of-the-year soiree before all departing to our respective summer internships. Good weather. Good drinks. Better friends. It is always a pleasure to get together and share in the festivities of fun-employment, at least for a day. As always, I was struck by the professional and intellectual diversity of our HMP cohort. The University’s resources are great, the faculty is outstanding, and football is a religion. However, when prospective students asked me, “What is the single greatest thing about Michigan?” I told them about my friends. Yesterday was only a reminder.

As I reflect on the past year, it seems surreal that year one has come to a close (grades pending). I look forward to hearing about all the incredible practicum experiences upon return. From Geneva to Los Angeles to right here in Ann Arbor, I am 110% confident that everyone will be a massive success and realize how valuable they truly are to the field of healthcare management and policy. I’ve always said, the sooner my friends become CEOs, the sooner they can hire me. I wish them all the best in their future summer endeavors.

For the few HMP Class of 2015 students who read this blog, here is some advice for next year: Hang out with us! Ask us for help. Internship opportunities, check. Best places to eat, check. Cheap places to “hydrate”, double check. We went through the process and are more than willing to assist. Just remember we are upperclassmen, hence cooler, smarter, and more accomplished than any of you…

Andy Mychkovsky is a first year HMP student at the School of Public Health.

A Little Friendly Competition

Ine

Now that I’m well into the final semester of my last year here at UM, the reality that the end is near is sinking in. As an executive board member of the Health Policy Student Association (HPSA), I and the rest of the board are taking a step back and allowing the next generation of members to exercise their agency. I became Professional Development chair almost a year ago with the idea to hold the first health policy case competition at SPH in order to give policy-interested students a chance to gain practical experience solving real-world issues, similar to the way management-focused students do in typical management case competitions. Though it was my brainchild, I must say most of the credit for bringing the event to fruition is the amazing Case Competition Committee that is comprised of mainly first-year HPSA members in Health Management & Policy (HMP), Social Welfare, Ross, and Public Policy. Their hard work and dedication have assured me that HPSA will be in good hands after the board graduates in May.

We would be happy to have as many interested graduate students from across campus participate in this competition as possible. For more information, see below.

Health Policy Student Association 

Case Competition

Calling all graduate and professional students:

Would you like to apply your classroom knowledge and internship experiences to real world challenges? Would you like to help solve health policy issues right here in Michigan? Would you like to work with fellow colleagues to earn some extra spending money?

The Health Policy Student Association invites you to participate in its first annual case competition to be held at the University of Michigan School of Public Health opening on March 13 with final presentations on March 22, 2013. This competition will be judged by academics and professionals from various backgrounds and sectors.

$2,500 for 1st place and $1,250 for 2nd place.

Eligibility:

Students from all graduate and professional programs at U of M are eligible.

Team composition:

• Teams are encouraged to be multidisciplinary
• At least two distinct graduate schools or departments must be represented
• Between 3 and 5 members
• Each student can only participate on a single team

Register your team here. 

Schedule:

• Monday, March 4, 5PM – Registration closes
• Wednesday, March 13, 5PM– Case released electronically
• Wednesday, March 20, 5PM –Solutions due electronically
• Friday, March 22, 9AM – Teams present solutions to judges (Presentations must be made in person at the School of Public Health. Refreshments will be provided.)

Please contact Marisa Fortuna (fortunam@umich.edu) with any questions.

Words of Rembrance by Clarence B. Jones on MLK Jr. Day

Andy

“Silence in the face of violence, is evil itself.” Just an example of one famous quote paraphrased by Clarence B. Jones, who spoke at the University of Michigan this past Monday. It was an honor to hear Jones speak on the day of remembrance for his friend and ally of the Civil Rights Movement, Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. During that historic time period, Jones was considered one of the closest political and influential confidantes of Dr. King. Serving as adviser, lawyer, draft speech writer, and friend, few knew him better.

In a brilliant and authentic display of oration, Jones proclaimed, “Except for Abraham Lincoln and the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863, Martin Luther King Jr. in 12 years and 4 months from 1956 to 1968, did more to achieve political, economic, and social justice in America than any other event or person in the previous 400 years.” It seems almost inconceivable, that during a time of racial oppression, lack of social media or internet, and limited popular support, that one man could amass such a following that would change the course of history in this great nation.

Listening to first-person testimonials about the week leading up to the famous “I Have A Dream” speech, opposition to the Vietnam War, and the “Letter from Birmingham Jail”, would have seemed to be enough. However, Jones also weaved a story of anti-violence together, calling to arms action against inaction. He implored the audience to realize the world of violence has many faces, and lies beneath society’s eyes like molten lava. It does not have to be fatal to affect communities. The need for a fierce urgency to make investments toward improving the quality of life, a non-violent future. In the words of Dr. King, “The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it. Through violence you may murder the hater, but you do not murder hate.”

Lastly, Jones reflected on his feelings when President Barack Obama was first elected as President of the United States in 2008. After succumbing to a rush of emotion, tears filled his eyes. Not for the electoral results, but tears for all those people who made that election possible. Without the collective work of the Civil Rights Movement and sacrifices of millions, we would have never seen such history made. I cannot emphasize enough the goosebumps that appeared on the audience’s skin when listening to the methodical, yet emotional reaction delved so rich in the history of the Civil Rights Movement. To think he stood side by side with arguably the most influential person from American history regarding civil rights was awe inspiring.

When asked, “Who today is most like Martin Luther King Jr?” Jones answered with a rhetorical question, “Who today is most like Shakespeare, like Leonardo Da Vinci, like Michelangelo? No one.”

Andy Mychkovsky is a first year HMP student at the School of Public Health.

This Time

Desiree

Hi Everyone,

School is back in full swing and I am exhausted already. Between being a full-time student, having various leadership roles, and job hunting (which is a full time job in itself), I find myself either super late or super early.

I know that I must cherish this time. UM SPH is a special place.

I am looking forward to many great things this semester:

• The 26^th Annual PHSAD Minority Health Conference, which will focus on the importance of effectiveness and best practices of HIV/AIDS prevention among youth. To register, please go here: http://tinyurl.com/umphsadconference2013
• Expanding quality improvement project opportunities for IHI Open School Members
• Completing what I hope will be my terminal degree
• Beginning my career and truly becoming a change agent
• Restaurant Week in Ann Arbor
• Enjoying the rest of my time as a student
• Learning as much as I can and utilizing every resource that I have not used in the past
• Whatever else may come

What are you looking forward to this semester?

Happy Retirement Pat O’Kray, You Earned It!!!

Andy

“Happy Retirement to You, Happy Retirement to You, Happy Retirement Dear Pat, Happy Retirement to You!”

Today faculty, students, and staff met in the GLC Leadership Room to celebrate the illustrious career of Pat O’Kray.  Having served 15 years at the School of Public Health, she has amassed the greatest amount of knowledge and most importantly, respect, from the entire department.

These past few months, Pat has served as a confidant, resource, and friend to me and my many classmates. Without her guidance, I know with absolute certainty, my transition to graduate school life would have much more difficult. From internships, to class scheduling, to responding to a barrage of random emails, she is one word, wonderful.

Pat O’Kray did not work for the University of Michigan Health Management and Policy department, she embodied it. On behalf of the entire HMP 2014 class, we will miss you.

Andy Mychkovsky is a first year HMP student at the School of Public Health.

Guide to being an effective graduate student

Andy

How to be an effective graduate student:

1. Be social, even if it pushes the boundaries of your comfort zone. Your peers not only represent the future of healthcare, but also your next two years. Draw on various personalities and backgrounds to enhance your overall experience.
2. Don’t take graduate school too seriously. Nobody gets out alive.
3. Despite what others say, I strongly suggest you work during school. Not only will it provide some income, but more importantly allow you to apply the knowledge gained. This will not only refine your own skills, but also reinforce your reasons for pursuing a degree in public health.
4. Please don’t research to just get published. Research, then use it to solve real problems. My single greatest critique of academia is the exorbitant amount of research that is never applied or implemented to solve a practical solution in the world.
5. Never underestimate your professional background. Literally everything is relevant in public health.
6. Your classmates will make or break your graduate school experience. I’m biased, but I think my friends are the single greatest reason I’m enjoying my experience here at Michigan.
7. Professors are people too. Talk to them.
8. If you were accepted into this program, you are smart. However, so is everyone else. Never underestimate anyone.
9.  DO NOT spend all your time at the School of Public Health. Attend football games, play intramural sports, take classes at the policy school, attend lectures across campus and actively seek out other students from various disciplines.
10. Don’t forget to vote! (Let’s move Forward…)

Andy Mychkovsky is a first year HMP student at the School of Public Health.

The Epitome of Busy

Eboni

This semester has been extremely busy thus far. I do not believe anyone could have prepared me for how this semester would go. Learning how to balance things is definitely key. Of course school alone keeps one occupied enough. Along with that, I have been going thru the administrative fellowship process in which I put together packets consisting of personal statements, cover letters, resumes, letters of recommendations, and transcripts, for different healthcare organizations. I sent 18 packets off to 18 different organizations with a goal of working for one of them come July 2013.

2012 NAHSE Case Competition Team (Semifinalists)

I’ve also spent a lot of time this semester analyzing a case for the National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE) Case Competition, in which I and 2 colleagues competed in this October. I can truly say that was the most extensive project/presentation I have worked on during graduate school. We applied many concepts learned in class to a real life business case for Catholic Health Partners, located in Toledo, OH. We presented our case analysis, business plan, and recommendations to executives during the NAHSE Conference in Houston this past month. We made it to the Semifinals, but honestly, the most rewarding part of the process was bonding with my teammates. The NAHSE Conference is an educational conference for healthcare executives where you attend workshops, professional development events, luncheons, and most importantly, network with other healthcare administrators. The Michigan HMP network is extremely vast, which is a very good sign of the future success one can attain.

PHSAD at Food Gatherers

As President of the Public Health Students of African Descent (PHSAD), I have been busy encouraging my fellow students to attend professional development meetings and participate in service projects/activities. The most challenging part of being a student leader is engaging fellow students. Everyone is busy, and in order for students to attend events, they have to feel as if it will be worth their time. We have a few more events planned for the semester from outreach to an alumni panel. In addition to these things, we are also planning for a Minority Health Conference which will be held on February 22, 2013. We are very excited about this event and I will post more about it in the next few months.

My classes are going very well. I am taking Finance, Health Law, Operations Research, Environmental Health, and I finished my 1 credit Transformational Leadership course. I like all but one of my classes this semester, and despite this semester being one of my most challenging,  I truly feel as if I am learning skills to take with me as I jumpstart my career.

Live in the Big House!

In order to stay sane, I manage to incorporate a fun activity into every weekend. I am a HUGE football fan, and have attended every game except one this semester. The tailgates are a great time to bond with classmates and interact with one another outside of SPH. I was in the building when Michigan won their 900th game, and it was an even sweeter victory because they beat Michigan State! I have 2 more home games left as a student, which is extremely bittersweet. I will definitely miss my cohort once we all graduate.

The key to success this semester is learning how to balance everything. Once everything is balanced, things will fall into place. Hope I didn’t scare you all off from attending graduate school! Have a great week and GO BLUE!

Driving? Turn the Phone Off!

Andy

Driving is debatably the biggest public safety and public health issue of our nation. It is the leading cause of death among Americans ages 1 to 34, and the leading cause of long-term disability for all (McMillin, 2010). Statistically speaking, it is the single most dangerous activity most of us will do today. Skydiving or flying are insurmountably much safer activities, despite what our society believes. So why as a nation do we allow any mobile phone use in the car by the driver, something that drastically increases the probability of an automobile accident to persist?

As noted in the NYTimes article, “AT&T Chief Speaks Out on Texting at the Wheel”, research has shown that texting while driving increases ones risk of a crash beyond that of even an impaired driver with a 0.8 blood alcohol level (Richtel, 2012). A large majority of the population believes the BAC legal limit driving law to be a necessary piece of legislation. It only seems obvious to ban something more dangerous than something that is already banned.

Now some of you will say, texting is regulated in some states. This is obvious, however I’m wondering if we need a ban of total mobile phone use by the driver in the car. Plain and simple, mobile phones distract a driver in numerous ways. Manual manipulation of the phone such as texting or dialing significantly detracts from the time spent viewing the road. Unless you were blessed with the ability to use your two eyes independently, this presents a huge problem. In addition, there exist many distracting effects of the phone conversation through emotion or cognitive reasoning. Studies have shown that splitting cognition between two events greatly reduces the efficiency of any single activity. This is evidence to support the ban of total mobile phone use in the car, since the duration of a typical phone conversation can be up to two orders of magnitude greater than the time required to dial or answer the phone (Strayer, 2003).

Someone dies in a highway crash every 13 minutes (American Osteopathic Association). We must pass legislation that bans mobile phone and other electronic devices use while driving. Is even one life worth a text or phone call? What if that life was yours or your loved ones? The phone call can wait, especially if it’s your last.

Andy Mychkovsky is a first year HMP student at the School of Public Health.

Grad School Orientation Recap

Andy

Disclaimer: This blog post is about a week old. However I felt it was still important to offer some insight into what all incoming HMP students encountered during our 4-day orientation week. Please excuse the tardiness (due to studying…) and enjoy:

Day 1:

Orientation breakfast starts at 7:15am and I have only one thought, “Why so early?” After deciding to walk, Sophia (HMP student) and I end up arriving just in time to inhale a bagel and sit down for opening statements. Despite the morning, majority of students excited to begin. A few introductions from SPH staff later and we’re off to algebra testing. One scantron sheet later and official events are over. Lunch with some fellow classmates at Ashley’s and day 1 is in the books.

Day 2:

All departments in the School of Public Health have Tuesday off. Well except HMP because we’re more hardcore (sarcasm). We start with a scavenger hunt that moonlighted as a self-guided campus tour and icebreaker in one. Not sure how team, “We’re not running” did, but our faculty led discussion on Atul Gawande’s book, “Better” leaves us no time to rest. On a side note, I would recommend it to anyone interested in healthcare.

Nighttime activities include a student, faculty and alumni social event. I am always impressed by the level of success achieved by Michigan alumni, but even more refreshed by their willingness to offer a helping hand to the next generation.

Day 3:

Everything today revolves around the Practice Plunge. A group field trip with other incoming students from the public health, focused on interdisciplinary learning and communication. The anti-silo or anti-HMP only hangs out with other HMP student’s effect. My bus is off to visit Wayne County Public Health Department.  Upon arrival, we are guided into a room of public health professionals to hear a day in the life. The intricacies of the public health department with respect to disease control, immunization and emergency preparedness are informative, with the most entertaining discussion revolving around food safety inspection. Just don’t expect to look at a restaurant the same ever again.

Day 4:

The University of Michigan School of Public Health administration starts the day with a rousing collection of speeches tailored to excite and motivate the incoming class. I specifically remember a point when each respective department must cheer when called. I think it’s pretty obvious the Health Management and Policy crew wins (I really hope you’re not taking me literally). With spirits soaring high, we break for lunch, followed by a brief informational session on career services and a meeting with my academic advisor.

Next blog post will either be about classes or the HMP social life. Also, I know some of you have questions, feel free to comment and I will respond best I can.

Andy Mychkovsky is a first year HMP student at the School of Public Health.

I Encourage You To Fall In Love

Desiree

Hi Everyone,

My name is Desiree McLain. I am a second-year Master of Health Services Administration student in the Department of Health Management and Policy. I hail from Detroit Michigan, but have roots all over the south.

I cannot believe that school begins today! Although I could use another week of summer fun, I am actually excited about my second an final year as an MHSA student in the BEST department in the school – Health Management and Policy! My classes seem very interesting, and I get to reunite with all of the great friends that I have made here at SPH!

At the forefront of my mind, besides coursework, is finding a rewarding position post-graduation that will jumpstart my meaningful and illustrious career.

I have many interests in health care, one being in the areas of patient safety and quality improvement. I fell in love with this area last year through my participation in IHI Open School.

IHI Open School provides opportunities for students to gain exposure in patient safety and quality improvement through collaboration with various departments throughout the University of Michigan health system. I find it to be a great way to gain experience working in a clinical setting with physicians and in an interdisciplinary team. 

I want everyone to fall in love with patient safety and quality and process improvement as I have.  I know that everyone won’t, but I will try to successfully woo as many people this year as I can!

If you are interested in learning more information, feel free to contact me at dyjm@umich.edu.