MCALLEN CAMPUS

Fall 2012

OUR MISSION The mission of the School

of Rural Public Health is

to improve the health of

communities, with

emphasis on rural and

underserved populations,

through education,

research, service, outreach

and creative partnerships Since 2004, the McAllen Campus has been housed in a 23,000-

square-foot facility providing space for laboratories, offices,

classrooms and conference areas used to deliver a wide range of

health training, clinical research, medical education, community

interventions and public health programs with local partners.

O u r C a m p u s

We are pleased to provide you with the first newsletter for the McAllen

Campus. Our goal is to inform our readers of Campus activities and

accomplishments. Texas A&M Health Science Center began the Master of

Public Health (MPH) program in McAllen in the year 2000 and moved to the

new campus in 2004. Having earned an MPH with the first students in the

program, I came full circle to the position of Director of the Campus in 2010,

proof that education is key to advancing in today’s competitive market. Working

with the faculty of the School of Rural Public Health and with the Health

Science Center administration, we have expanded the number of MPH

programs available at the Campus. The McAllen Campus is home to faculty,

staff, and students who utilize classrooms, a computer lab, videoconference and

seminar rooms and a biosecurity and environmental health lab. We invite the

community to visit the Campus and learn about the MPH programs, which are

open to working professionals as well as full-time students. Come and see how

we are Bringing Learning to Life

F R O M T H E D I R E C T O R

Olga C. Gabriel, MPH

Director

D e g r e e s O f f e r e d

G r a d u a t e s M a y 2 0 1 2

Master of Public Health

2012 Graduates:

Left to Right:

David Irizarry, Aldo E Martinez, Vidal

Quintanilla, Norma Garza, Assistant

Professor Miguel Zuniga, MD, Dr. PH,

Theresa Garcia, Cynthia Mora, Albert

Perez.

Not pictured: Eseosa Edionwe and Clara

Ramirez de Jerez

The McAllen Campus provides students the opportunity to obtain a degree of Master of Public Health

through the following programs:

Health Promotion & Community Health Sciences

Health Policy & Management

Environmental & Occupational Health

The Campus also has a certificate program for more limited studies in public health. Four professors based at

the McAllen Campus plus adjunct faculty teach courses to full- and part-time students whose diverse

backgrounds create a unique blend of learning resources. Additionally, professors from the main campus in

College Station teach courses through videoconference or the web, and they also travel to McAllen to teach

onsite.

Application Information

McALLEN CAMPUS

2101 S. McColl Rd.

McAllen, TX 78503

956.668.6300 www.srph.tamhsc.edu/mcallen

For more information contact:

Cynthia Torres-Beltran

Program Coordinator

956.668.6308

torres-beltran@srph.tamhsc.edu

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Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree from an

accredited college or

university

GPA of 3.0

Competitive GRE or GMAT

score (school code 7841)

Personal Statement

International applicants

must meet SRPH English

proficiency requirements

Application submitted

through SOPHAS at

www.sophas.org

Deadlines For Applications:

• June 1 for Fall admission

• October 1 for Spring

Admission

International Students:

• Fall Admission: March 1

• Spring Admission: August 1

Funding Opportunities:

• Financial aid and/or

scholarships available to

eligible students

A p p l i e d R e s e a r c h

Wa t e r T o w e r

Genny Carrillo-Zuniga, MD, MPH, MSPH, ScD

Assistant Professor

Environmental and

Occupational Health

S R P H M c A l l e n C a m p u s F a c u l t y

Ann V. Millard, PhD Associate Professor

Health Promotion and

Community Health

Sciences

Nelda Mier, PhD Associate Professor

Health Promotion and

Community Health Sciences

Miguel Zuniga MD, DrPH Assistant Professor

Health Policy and

Management

The latest form of support for the

growing McAllen Campus is the

branding of the newest one million

gallon water tower on S. McColl.

We are very thankful to the City of

McAllen and the Public Utility

Board Members for recognizing the

Campus’ education, research and

outreach initiatives that focus on

improving the lives of children and

families living in our communities

in the Rio Grande Valley. We are

in a progressive area with unique

and diverse backgrounds, issues,

and growing needs. Our focus is to

assist the City and communities of

the Rio Grande Valley meet those

needs. Again, thank you!!

O u t r e a c h

Faculty are actively involved with

communities through schools – a great

avenue to reach children and families who

benefit from interventions. Dr. Carrillo

focuses on asthma, eliminating triggers,

and providing education on treatment and

prevention. She guides Respiratory

Therapists from South Texas College, who

educate children on the use of peak flow

meters and management of their asthma.

Drs. Millard and Mier have worked to

improve lifestyles for those with diabetes

or obesity. Their grants have led

communities to improve infrastructure

such as street lighting, walking trails, and

safe cycling to schools. Faculty also

provide other public health initiatives.

We applaud their successes!

Faculty at the McAllen Campus are helping to meet local needs through projects funded in public health

prevention including prevention and control of chronic health problems, especially type 2 diabetes, obesity

and asthma. In pilot projects and partnerships with clinics, hospitals, school districts, and various

community-based organizations, these efforts are improving public health and implementing program

evaluation to encourage enhanced efficiency and effectiveness in healthcare and population health. Some

projects provide measures for improving health population-wide through life style changes while other

projects contribute to advancing the frontiers of scientific knowledge in public health and culturally

appropriate behavioral and public policy interventions.

F a c u l t y H e a l t h T i p s

E d u c a t i o n L e c t u r e s

Asthma Triggers……Do You Know What They Are? By Genny Carrillo, MD, MPH, MSPH, ScD.

Asthma in children is a chronic disease that can not only be deadly but, is also disruptive to a child’s

learning. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children with asthma

account for almost 15 million missed school days a year. The irony of this disease is that is preventable

and can be controlled when managed properly. Most people have heard about asthma, but few know what

can cause or aggravate the disease. “It is not well known that the majority of asthma triggers are in or

around the asthmatic child’s home,” says Dr. Genny Carrillo. “These triggers are in our natural

environment and include mold, dust mites, pet dander, rodent and insect droppings, excessive moisture,

chemical fumes, cleaning products, pesticides, and cigarette smoke.”

Examples of actions that can be taken to better manage asthmatic conditions include:

• repairing any water leaks inside or outside the home to avoid mold;

• keeping the home free of clutter in order to reduce dust and other allergens;

• limiting the number of plush toys in a child’s bedroom;

• keeping pets outdoors;

• using eco-friendly cleaning products;

• avoiding the use of pesticides; and,

• assuring that cigarettes are not smoked inside the home or in vehicles.

“Taking these simple measures can greatly improve air quality and the general environment of an asthmatic

child, resulting in better respiratory health,” says Dr. Carrillo.

Texas A&M HSC McAllen Campus in collaboration with Edinburg CISD and International Valley Health

Institute invite the community to hear Gil Peñalosa, MBA, renowned advisor on livable cities, economic

development, and social marketing. Mr. Peñalosa will present the Vibrant & Healthy City Initiative at a

forum for policy makers and leaders of the community on Wednesday, August 29th at 3:00 pm at the

Edinburg City Hall, Council Chamber. The public is invited. Call 383-3823 for more information.

Dr. Jose Lopez, an Occupational & Industrial Health

Physician, delivered a lecture on the latest information

on Workers’ Compensation. The McAllen Campus, in

collaboration with the local speaker, was the venue for

the education lecture. Held for local city and county

officials, HR administrators, school districts and local

businesses, Dr. Lopez discussed new changes in rules

and practices related to forms, claims, record keeping,

and medical examination requirements. Dr. Lopez

cited examples of what he looks for when examining a

patient that is seeking certification as a driver and the

importance of good health in order for the employee to

pass certification. Dr. Lopez is currently a student at

the McAllen Campus and is working on his MPH in

Health Promotion and Community Health Sciences.

U p c o m i n g E v e n t s