JHCIRP Makes an Impact at APHA Annual Conference
Pictured L to R: Andy Lincoln, Mary Sewell, Keshia Pollack Porter, Shannon Frattaroli, Vanya Jones, Renee Johnson, Himani Byregowda, Elizabeth Parker, Elise Omaki at the annual JHCIRP Alumni Breakfast.
The American Public Health Association’s annual conference was held November 12-15 in Atlanta, GA. Injury Center faculty and students were excited to participate in this year’s proceedings with multiple oral and poster presentations, and we were proud to host our annual alumni breakfast to reconnect with current and former students.
Alum Evelyn Shiang (BA, 2023) was awarded with an Outstanding Student Paper Award from APHA’s Maternal and Child Health Section for her abstract “Injury prevention in home visiting models eligible for federal maternal, infant, and early childhood home visiting (MIECHV) program funding” and shared about her research during the Greg Alexander Outstanding Student Oral Session. The special session features student-led research projects related to maternal and child health, such as the association between limited English proficiency and birth outcomes in an immigrant population, identifying gaps in maternal standards of care in a prison population, and evaluating perinatal insurance continuity in Medicaid expansion. Ms. Shiang’s presentation summarized the extent to which MIECHV programs deliver curriculum and services regarding parental health and wellbeing, child abuse and neglect and unintentional injury prevention. “It was an amazing opportunity to present at such a scale,” said Ms. Shiang of her experience. “The session brought together a great diversity of maternal health topics. I’m glad I could share our injury work with folks who weren’t previously familiar.” Pictured: Evelyn Shiang shows off her award.
Core faculty and Associate Director of Training & Education Renee M. Johnson was awarded the 2022 Excellence in Science award from the Injury Control and Emergency Health Services (ICEHS) Section of the American Public Health Association. She received her award at this year’s award ceremony, along with the 2023 winner, Motao Zhu of Ohio State University. The Excellence in Science award from ICEHS recognizes an individual for outstanding dedication and leadership in the science of injury/violence prevention with contributions and achievements that have a significant and long-term impact on the field. “This award is particularly meaningful because it comes from my peers,” said Dr. Johnson about her award. She noted that the injury and violence research community has a strong tradition of supporting one another, and encouraged attendees to develop new partnerships to tackle today’s injury problems. Dr. Johnson was nominated for her work in the epidemiology of overdose prevention, unintentional injury, and youth violence. In addition to her accomplished scholarship, Dr. Johnson is known as a dedicated mentor and an award-winning instructor who is deeply committed to training the next generation of public health professionals. Congratulations, Renee! Pictured: Renee Johnson (center) receives her award from ICEHS member Kathleen Carlson (left) and ICEHS Chair Lauren Pierpont (right).