Urban Health Program Celebrates 40th Anniversary
The UIC Urban Health Program (UHP) celebrated its 40th Anniversary with a gala on September 22, 2018 and 15 public health alumni, faculty and staff were honored for their contributions to health-related fields. The mission of the UHP is to provide programming, resources, and support for pre-health and health professional students, dedicated to addressing persistent health disparities in minority populations and improving the quality and availability of healthcare in underserved urban areas. UIC students enrolled in UHP receive a comprehensive orientation for health professional programs, an academic seminar series, test preparation, individualized mentoring, career planning, and networking opportunities. Since its inception in 1978, UHP has recruited, retained and graduated more than 7,000 traditionally underrepresented students who now work in health-related fields.
UHP program directors are in all of the health science colleges at UIC and Dr. Nadine Peacock serves as Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion at the School of Public Health. In this role, Dr. Peacock and her colleagues work to have meaningful inclusion and integration of groups and individuals as part of an active process to enhance the work and educational environment of the School of Public Health. This is a deliberate step towards equity and social justice.
“I can’t emphasize enough how influential the Urban Health Program has been on the success of our public health students over the years,” said Dr. Peacock. “Some of our most accomplished alumni were participants in UHP pipeline programs at the elementary, high school, undergraduate and graduate levels. Many of these alumni now serve as valued community partners as well as mentors to our current students. We are honored to have so many of them recognized at the anniversary event.”
The diverse student body at the School of Public Health was one of the main reasons that Wayne Giles was interested in moving to Chicago to become the school’s 6th dean in 2017. As the first African American to hold the post, Dr. Giles said he was energized by the opportunity to engage more students with public health. “Our mission is committed to diversity. By celebrating the unique contributions of students, faculty, and staff, we support a more enriching learning environment and foster a truly global community,” Giles said. “We strive to build an inclusive community that promotes SPH’s commitment to justice, respect, and humility for the communities served by the public health field.”
Several public health students and staff volunteered to help make the 40th celebration a success. Two current students, Rodney Johnson and Darlene Nalasco Magana, were honored as 2018 Student Achievers and the following SPH alumni, faculty and staff who were recognized as Distinguished Honorees:
- Sikiru Adefuye (MPH ‘99)
- Ms. Karen Aguirre (MPH ‘17)
- Dr. Shaffdeen Amuwo (MPH ‘76)
- Dr. Lisa Aponte Soto (PhD ‘13)
- Dr. Damon Arnold (MPH ‘92)
- Dr. Mabel Blackwell
- Dr. Joseph Day (DrPH ‘11)
- Dr. Rosalba Hernandez (MS ‘10, PhD ‘12)
- Dr. Wade Ivy (PhD ‘09)
- Dr. Michael A. McGee (MPH ‘96)
- Dr. Suzet McKinney (DrPH ‘09)
- Dr. Bambade Shakoor-Abdullah (PhD ‘92)
- Ms. Curtisteen Steward
- Dr. Kathy Tossas-Milligan (PhD ‘18)
- Mr. Juan Wantig (MPH ‘18)