UMSUMMERENRICHMENTPROGRAMNEWSLETTER Summer2016

Issue:Summer2016

ReleaseDate:August15,2016

2016UMSEPCOHORTPAINTINGTHEROCK INTHISISSUE

HelloandhappysummerSEPfamilyandfriends.Severalnewsworthythingshavehappenedsincewelastwrotetoyou.

Welcome

Cohort31,welcometotheSEPfamily!The31stCohortwasamazingandexcelledatsomanygreatthingsthissummer.WewelcomedCohort31onMay31stinthegreatSEPtradition–aneveningreceptionatPizzaHouse.Aftersixsitevisits,twocommunityserviceevents,18finalpresentations,one400meterrace,and70one-on-onemeetings,thiscohortbecameanotherforthehistorybooks.

FirstCohortasDirector

FirstSEPsummercomplete!IwashumbledeverydaybythepassionourSEPstudentsexhibiteddayinandoutastheyexperiencedhealthcareandlearnedmoreaboutaddressinghealthdisparities.Iwanttothanktheteamfortheteamwork.Myarrivalalsomarkedthebeginningofafull-timeprogramdirector.Mr.ChrisClarkecomestousfromChicago,andisdoingagreatjobcarryingtheoperationalweightofSEP.WebroughtinagreatincomingHMP,Ms.LeslieCerpa(SEP’15,HMP‘18),tosupporttheresidentialcomponentofthe

program.Also,Iwanttothanktwomoreteammembersthatcarriedtheloadupuntilthestartofthesummer.ShekinahSingletery(SEP’13,HMP16’)andErinLichtensteindidexcellentworkduringtheschoolyear,andespeciallybringingusalltothefinishlinewiththe30thAnniversaryevents.

ThankYouDr.L

After44yearsattheUniversityofMichiganasastudent,facultymember,researcher,andSEPDirectorfor30ofthoseyears,Dr.Lretiredwithwell-deservedfanfare.Icannotexpresshowmuchhisadvice,mentorship,andavailabilitymeanttomycareerpath.NowasafacultymemberinHMP,Ilearnmoreandmoreeachdayabouthiseffortsandlegacyasafixtureinthedepartment.

Dr.Lichtenstein,thankyouforbeingyousincewemetin1998.Yourbrandedpersonalityhelpedtoshapemycareer.ItservesasanenergizingfoundationformyroleasSEPFacultyDirector.Yourgreatcareerasafacultymemberisalsoashinningexampleofputtingyourresearchwhereyourpassionlies.Istrivetobethechangeaswell.

UMSEPCohort31Thisyear,UMSEPinvited22studentstoparticipateinthe2016SummerEnrichmentProgramasthe31stcohort.

Page2

SEP2016FarewellDinnerUMViceProvostRobertSellersprovidedawell-receivedaddress“AStudent’sCalltoAction”toourstudents,preceptors,andpartners.

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Hello,Welcome,First,ThanksbyEbbinDotson,FacultyDirector

UMSUMMERENRICHMENTPROGRAMNEWSLETTER|Summer2016 2

Twomonthsago,weembarkedonan8-weekjourneytolearnmoreabouthealthdisparities,healthcareorganizations,andthehealthcaresystemasawhole.Wealsohadagreatopportunitytolearnfromandgrowwith22studentsfromacrossthecountrythatsharedsimilarinterestsandpassions.Itisourhopethatthisexposurestrengthenedyouroverallknowledge,passionandskillsinawaythatencouragesyoutobecomethetransformationalleadersweknowyoucanbe.

Asacohort,youtookanimportantnextstepinaddressinghealthdisparitiesbycommittingyoursummertothisprogram.Weareveryproudofyourgrowth,youreagernesstolearnandgratefulforyourcontributionstotheprogram.AlthoughyouhavecompletedthenecessaryrequirementstobecomeapartoftheSEPfamily,yourjobisnotdoneyet.YounowhavetheresponsibilityofnotonlyrepresentingtheSummerEnrichmentProgram,butyourinstitutions,organizations,preceptors,mentorsandthecommunityyouwishtoserve.

OnbehalfofDr.EbbinDotsonandtheSummerEnrichmentProgramfamily,wewelcomeyouasthe31stSEPCohort.AsnewalumsofSEP,youarejoiningadistinct,accomplishedandcaringfamily.

Asyoucontinuedownyoureducationalandprofessionaljourneys,wepromisetoencourage,support,andpromoteyoualongtheway.Ourinvestmentinyouisreal.

WelcometotheUMSEPFamily!

UMSEPSTUDENTCOHORTS

UMSEP2016StudentProfiles

UMSEPAlumniDirectory

UsheringinaneweraofSEPcreatedawindowofopportunitytoretooltheSEPcoordinatorposition.Wecompletelyrevampedtherole,increasingitsresponsibilitytoaDirector,lobbiedforafull-timesalary,andaddedaresearchanddisseminationsectiontothejobdescription.Afteraquick,yetthoroughsearch,SEPofferedthepositiontoagreatcandidate…

ChristopherA.Clarke,MPAacceptedourofferandjumpedrightinonApril26th,2016asthenewProgramDirectorofSEP.PriortojoiningtheUniversityofMichigan,Mr.ClarkeservedastheDirectorofDiversityInitiativesattheUniversityofIllinoisatChicago’sSchoolofPublicHealthwherehewasresponsibleforthedesign,implementationandevaluationofdiversityrecruitmentandretention-related

programming.Mr.Clarkebringsover8yearsofprofessionalexperiencetotheUniversityofMichigan,workingprimarilyoncollegeaccessinitiativesforstudentscomingfromunderrepresentedbackgrounds.Hisresearchinterestsarefocusedonhealthcaremanagement,policy,leadership,diversity,andhealthdisparities.

Mr.ClarkereceivedhisMastersofPublicAdministrationdegreewithaconcentrationinOrganizationalManagementfromRooseveltUniversity'sCollegeofArtsandSciences.HeearnedhisBachelorofArtsdegreefromConcordiaUniversityWisconsin’sCollegeofEducation,doublemajoringinEducationalStudiesandJustice&PublicPolicywhileminoringinHealthEducation.

WelcomeCohort31byChrisClarke,SEPProgramDirector

ANewProgramDirector…

ChristopherA.Clarke,MPAProgramDirector,UMSEPProgramDirector,UMHealthEquityLeadershipPipelineCollaborative

UMSUMMERENRICHMENTPROGRAMNEWSLETTER|Summer2016 3

Membersofthe31stSEPcohortpauseforaphotographduringtheCocktailHour.

Ms.JoyCalloway(SEPPreceptorandSEPAlum‘87)duringthekeynoteaddressbyDr.Sellers.

FASTFACTS

75%UnderrepresentedMinorityStudentsin2016Cohort

70%PreceptorshavepreviouslyacceptedSEPstudents

3.5AverageundergraduateGPAofacceptedSEPCohort

OnThursday,July28,2016,studentinterns,preceptors,alums,partnersandsupportersoftheSummerEnrichmentProgramgatheredtocelebratethecompletionofthe31stconsecutivecohortoftheSEP.TheFarewellDinnerwasfilledwithlaughs,networkingandsharedmemorieshighlightingtherichhistoryoftheprogram.

Dr.EbbinDotson(SEPFacultyDirectorandSEPAlum’98)wasthefirsttowelcomeguestsbysharingthesignificanceofthisannualoccasion.Dr.Dotson,aformerSEPparticipantwashonoredtoseehisjourneycomefullcircle,nowintheleadershiproleofSEP.Asdinnerbegan,Dr.Dotsonchallengedgueststoatriviagameof“GuessThatCohort”wherephotographsfrompreviouscohortsweredisplayedandeachtablewasaskedtoidentifytheyearbelongingtothecohort.Thisgamewasmoredifficultthansomehadanticipated(evenforDr.L).

Asdinnerwenton,thereweretonsoffood,laughs,andnetworkinginanticipationforourkeynoteaddress.

KeynoteAddressfromDr.RobertSellers

Thisyear,theSummerEnrichmentProgramwashonoredtohaveDr.RobertSellersspeakduringtheFarewellDinner.

Dr.SellersservesasViceProvostforEquity,Inclusion,andAcademicAffairsattheUniversityofMichigan’sOfficeoftheProvost.AsViceProvost,Dr.Sellersworksonmattersrelatedtodiversityattheuniversityaswellasabroadrangeofacademicissuesincludingthebudget,facultytenureandpromotions,andstudentenrollment.AnativeofCincinnati,Ohio,Dr.Sellersdiscussedhiseducationalandprofessionaljourney,attendingHowardUniversitywhereheearnedAll-Americahonorsinfootball.Dr.SellerswouldeventuallyearnhisinPh.D.fromtheUniversityofMichigan.

Duringhiskeynoteaddress,Dr.Sellersspokeabouttheimportanceofaddressinghealthdisparitiesandsharedthejourneyofhismother,whoovercameracialandeducationalinequalitiestoeventuallyopenoneofthefirstcommunityhealthcentersinCincinnati,servingfamiliesinimpoverishedcommunitiesinthe

RECEPTION

SEP2016FarewellDinner

ThisisthetimeofyearwherewecelebratetheaccomplishmentsofSEPinternsandshowourappreciationtothosethathelpedmakeSEPpossible.

SEPPreceptors,Alumni,PartnersandSupportersattendedtheFarewellDinnerattheMichiganLeague’sVandenburgRoomonJuly28,2016.

UMSUMMERENRICHMENTPROGRAMNEWSLETTER|Summer2016 4

greaterCincinnati,Ohioarea.Dr.Sellerswentontodiscusshisphilosophyonsuccessandhowitisnotyoursalone.Heemphasizedthatnoonehasachievedsuccessontheirownandthat,successinfactbelongstothenextsetofpeopleyouintendtohelp.

Inclosing,Dr.SellerssharedthesignificanceoftheUniversityofMichigan.“AllroadsleadtoMichigan”,wasDr.Sellerspitchasheemphasizedhowlargethealumninetworkoftheinstitutionwas,sharingstoriesofUMreachbothnationallyandglobally.Dr.Sellersdiscussedwhatadegreefromthisinstitutionwouldmeanandencouragedthemtoconsiderbecomingapartofthe“GoBlue”nation.

InasignofgratitudetoDr.Sellers,SEPinternJosephGyasi,onthebehalfofthe31stSEPcohort,presentedDr.SellerswithaUniversityofMichiganfootball

filledwiththesignaturesofthe31stcohort.

Thankyou,Dr.Sellersforthewordsofwisdomandencouragement!

AwardsandRecognition

Asthenightdrewclosertoanend,thetimearrivedforSEPleadershiptorecognizetheaccomplishmentsofthe31stCohort.AsthenamesofeachSEPinternwascalled,theywereaccompaniedtothestagebytheirSEPpreceptorstoreceivetheircertificateofcompletion.InternsalsoreceivedaphotographwiththeirpreceptorandSEPleadershiptobeusedasalastingmemoryofthisgreatexperience.

Thehighlightofthenightcamewhenanewawardwasintroducedandgiventoonedeservingstudentintern.

Overthelastfewmonths,SEPleadershiphadbeensecretlyplanningtounveiland

recognizesignificantcontributionsgivenbyoneSEPintern.Whenannounced,thisawardcaughtmanybysurprise,butwhentherecipientwasannounced,therewererumblesofcheers,tearsandastandingovation.

Moretocome…….

ClosingRemarks

Inclosing,SEPProgramDirectorChrisClarkethankedthosethatmadethisyear’sprogramasuccess.Hespecificallyacknowledgedpreceptorsfortheirsupportandmentorship,Dr.Dotsonforhisleadershipandvision,Ms.LeslieCerpaforherharkworkandcommitmenttomakingthisprogramasuccessandlastbutnotleast,Dr.RichardLichtensteinforcreatingthisprogram31yearsago.Dr.L’spassionandcommitmenttoservicein1986hasgivenusasafespacetoaddresshealthdisparitiesandbecometransformationalleadersinourcommunities.

ThankyouSEPFarewellDinnerGuests!

UMSUMMERENRICHMENTPROGRAMNEWSLETTER|Summer2016 5

RichardLichtenstein.SEPFounder.Socialjusticepioneer.CommunityBasedParticipatoryResearcher.Ofcoursewecangoonforpages.TheSEPFamilyspentmuchoftheyearcelebratingDocforallofhishard-workanddedicationoverthepast30years,andtheSPHNetworkcelebratedhis44yearsofservicetopublichealth.ForthefutureSEPCohorts,wewantedtocrystallizehislegacyinasmall,butmeaningfulway.TheRichardLichtensteinLeadershipAwardwasborn.

MatthewCrumpton.Student.LeaderPassion.Dedication.Tirelessenergyforchange.Trailblazer.ThefirstofmanyRichardLichtensteinLeadershipAwardwinnerswasselectedwithgreatcare.ThestafftookcareallsummertonoticethesmallbitsofadvicefromDoc,andwhichstudentsexhibitedthespiritbest.

Nooneknewwewerewatchingandlistening,notevenDoc.WeaskedDoctodoonlyonethingduringtheFarewellDinner,spendfiveminutesdescribingthecharacteristicsandvaluesofagreatSEPstudent.Inhiswords,“Thecharacteristicswelookfor,whichsuccessfulUMSEPgraduateshavetypicallyexhibited,include:

Ø Agreatmind/intellectandadesiretocontinuelearning

Ø AstrongworkethicØ AcommitmenttosocialjusticeØ Apassionforexcellenceineverything

theydo

Ø ExcellentinterpersonalskillsØ Theabilitytoworkwithdiversegroups

ofpeopleandtocelebrateandmakeuseofthatdiversity

Beyondthesebasics,perhapsthemostimportanttraitthatsuccessfulleadersexhibit,duringtheirtimeintheUMSEPandafterwards,isacommitmenttohelpingpeopleandtoimprovingothers’lives.Ifourstudentsandalumnilosetrackofthisprimarygoal,theywillnotbecomethetypeofleaderthatUMSEPenvisions,regardlessoftheheightstowhichtheyascendintheirorganization.

DuringtheirtimeintheUMSEP,graduateschool,andbeyond,successfulpublichealthprofessionalsmustdevelopanabilitytounderstandthe“bigpicture”regardingthemyriadfactorsthatinfluencepopulationhealth.Theymustalsobewillingtotakealongviewontheircareers,becauseitwilltakemanyyearsofhard,excellentworkforanindividualtoreachthedecision-makinglevelinahealthorganization.

Finally,itisimportantthatUMSEPalumnineverconfusehavingaprestigious,highlypaidpositionwithbeingasuccessfulhealthcareorpublichealthprofessional.Instead,theymustaskthemselvesquestionslike:IswhatIamdoinghelpingthepopulationweserve,orisitjusthelpingmyorganizationormyself?AmIhavinganimpactonthehealthandqualityoflifeoflow-incomepopulations

andpopulationsofcolor?AmIdoingmoretoaddresshealthinequalitiesthansomeonewhodidnotgraduatefromUMSEPwouldbedoinginthisrole?TheanswerstothesequestionswillindicatewhetherouralumniaretrulyintegratingthelessonsoftheUMSEPintotheircareersandbecomingsuccessfulpublichealthleaders.”

ClassicDoc.Greatwordsmith.Unbeknownsttohimortheaudience,hewaspontificatingtheverycriteriaoftheaward–andwhatweobservedofMatthewCrumpton.

FarewellDinnerreveal.Thestudents,insurpriseandshockatthe$500giftattachedtotheaward,listenedintentlyforthewinner.Astudentstandingovation.Afirst.Alegacycelebrated.

GIVINGTOSUPPORTSEP

DonatetotheUMSEPAnnualFundonlineusingyourcreditcard,orcontacttheSPHDevelopmentoffice.Forquestionsaboutdonations,pleaseclickhere.

RichardLichtensteinLeadershipAward

UMSUMMERENRICHMENTPROGRAMNEWSLETTER|Summer2016 6

Throughoutthesummer,studentstookadvantageofthesomeofthediverseactivitiesandopportunitiesAnnArbor(andtheMidwest!)hadtooffer.Someoftheactivitiesincludedserviceevents,team-buildingexercises,andsimpleall-aroundfun!

OurfirstserviceactivityofthesummerwasvolunteeringfortheAmericanDiabetesAssociation’sMichiganTourdeCure,acyclingfundraisingevent,atWashtenawCommunityCollegeonJune11th.Ourvolunteerassignment:professionalcheering.Partofthe2016cohortgatheredaroundthestartlinetocheerthecyclistson,whileotherstudentsworkedtheregistrationbooth.AlthoughitwasanearlySaturdaymorning,thestudentsweretroopersandenjoyedsharingtheirtimeinsupportofthecause.

WhilesomestudentsvisitedculturalcentersinDetroit,suchastheDetroitInstituteofArtsandtheMotownMuseum,othersembarkedonatriptoBelleIsleorstrolledtheRiverwalkpromenadeattheDetroitInternationalRiverfront.

FortheFourthofJulyweekend,severalstudentsleftAnnArborinordertoexploreChicago,A.K.A.TheWindyCity.Asidefromindulgingindeepdishandmoredeepdish,studentsexploredseveralofthecity’sattractions,suchasTheBeanatMillenniumPark,WrigleyField(maybethiswillbetheyear,Cubs),andreveledinthefireworksshowalongthelakefrontatnight.

Somestudentstookthetwo-hourdrivetoSandusky,Ohioforadaringandfun-filleddayatCedarPoint.WithLakeEriesurroundingtheamusementpark,therollercoastersprovidedabeautifulviewfromthetop.Sixrollercoasters,eighthours,and10shadesoftanlater,wewereexhaustedandreadytoheadbacktoAnnArbor.Ofcourse,thedaywasn’tcompleteuntilwecalculatedhowmanyactualminutesof“ridetime”wehad

ontherollercoasters.Ourestimatedtotal:ameasly10-12minutes.

Oneofourfinalsummeractivitiesincludedarelayrace,paint,andaninfamousUofMrock.OnJuly23rd,studentsandstaffwokeupforarelayracefortheagesbetweenMr.ChrisClarke,theProgramDirectorandlegendaryathlete,andMs.TereCooley,astudenttrackstarfromUCF.ItwasTeamTerevs.TeamChris,andboywasitacloseone!TeamTeredefeatedTeamChrisbymilliseconds!

Afterthatmorningrelayrace,wewenttothecornerofWashtenawAve.andHillSt.toconquerTheRock.InthewordsofDr.Dotson,“Wewalkedtoit,paintedit,anddabbedit!!Teamworkmakesthedreamwork.”Insodoing,studentswereintroducedtoanhistoricUofMtraditionandwerereadytofinishtheirlastweekstrongasateam.

BeingapartoftheSEP2016staffhasbeenablessing.IamhumbledtohavebeenabletogivebacktoSEPwithmytime.Asamemberofthe30thCohortin2015,SEPrepresentsadefiningsummerinmypersonalandprofessionaltrajectory.SEPreaffirmedmydesiretogointohealthmanagementandpolicyandhasmademeeagertobeginmyfirstyearasagraduatestudentintheDepartmentofHealthManagementandPolicyattheUniversityofMichigan’sSchoolofPublicHealth.Ihopethatmembersofthisyear’s31stcohortfoundsimilarvalueinagreatsummerasapartofSEP.Here’sto30moreyearsofSEP!!!

LEARNMOREABOUTSEPSEPNews

NewTradition-SEPRelayRace

ABUSYSUMMERFORSEPSTUDENTS

PaintingtheRock

VolunteeringatTourdeCure

SaturdayatCedarPoint

SEPinChicagofor4thofJuly

SEP2016StudentActivitiesbyLeslieCerpa(’15),ResidentSupportSpecialist

UMSUMMERENRICHMENTPROGRAMNEWSLETTER|Summer2016 7

OnMay5-6,2016,theSEPandUMSPHcommunitygaveaproperfarewelltoDr.RichardLichtenstein.Withtwoseparate,butequallyengagingevents,SEPcelebratedintruefashion30yearsofChangingtheFaceofHealthLeadership.

TheDinnerProgramMasterofCeremony,Ms.JoyCallowaydelightedover300attendees.Duringthesecondday,Dr.Lichtensteinmovedthe200Symposiumparticipantsfromaconversationonthepast30yearstoaconversationonthenext30yearsofSEP.BillMannsandMayraAlvarez,bothformerSEPstudents,providedheart-feltkeynotereflectionsaround30yearsofSEP.

Dr.Lichtenstein’sfinaladdressastheSEPDirectorandUMSPHHMPfacultymemberwasawell-craftedcalltoaction.Itaskedeachoneofustobeapartofthenext30yearsofsocialjusticeinitiativesinhealthcare.ItalsothankedmanypeoplethathelpedtomakeSEPasuccess.Here,weincludeanexcerptfromhisacknowledgementletter…

TostartaprogramliketheUMSEPandtokeepitrunningsuccessfullyfor30yearsisdefinitelynotaone-personjob.

First,IwanttothankallofthepeoplethroughouttheUniversityofMichiganwhohavegiventheirencouragementandsupport–financialandotherwise–overtheyears.Inaddition,dozensofHMPstaffandstudentshaveworkedtomaketheUMSEPrunsmoothlyandtoensurethattheparticipantshavethebestpossibleexperience.Wewouldnotbeheretodaywithoutyou.

IwanttospeciallythanktheexcellentcoordinatorswhohaveworkedforUMSEP

throughtheyears:JoyCalloway(1999),CarmenHarrison(1999-2006),SháDuncanSmith(2006-2010),NicoleDickelson(2010),CharlitaDaniels(2010-2013),RelandoThompkins-Jones(2013),AshleyGreen(2013-2016),andErinLichtenstein(temporary).

TheheartoftheUMSEPhasalwaysbeentheinternshipsitesatwhichourstudentsareplacedduringthesummer.Thanksgotoalloftheexecutives,staff,andpreceptorsatthese60organizationsthroughoutSoutheastMichiganwhohavefinanced,trained,andmentoredUMSEPparticipants.Youhavemadetheprogramwhatitistoday.

TheUMSEPalumnicommunityhasbeenthebiggestsupporteroftheprogram,actingaspreceptors,mentors,panelists,andcommitteemembers.Membersofthe2016committeesarelistedonthenextpage,butIwouldliketoextendmygratitudetoeveryonewhohasgiventheirtimeandexpertisetotheprogram.Bypayingitforward,youensurethatfutureparticipantshavethesamewonderfulexperienceyoudid.

Specialthanksto:LesterMonts,LarryWarren,BobSheehy,MartinPhilbert,PaulaLantz,KyleGrazier,DavidMendez,DavidHutton,ChristyHarrisLemak,JulietRogers,andShawnBoykin.Iwouldalsoliketoacknowledgetheearlyfundersoftheprogram:theKelloggFoundation,theBlueCrossBlueShieldofMichiganFoundation,theMetroHealthFoundation,theRuthMottFoundation,theUnitedAutomobileWorkersInternationalUnion,theFordMotorCompanyFund,theUMSPHOfficeoftheDean,andtheUMOfficeoftheProvost.

UMSEP30thAnniversarySymposiumandCelebration

UMSUMMERENRICHMENTPROGRAMNEWSLETTER Summer2016

DearFamily,ItiswithregretandresolvethatIinformyouofthepassingofoneofourown,Ms.MelvaHardy.MelvagraduatedwithherMHSAin2000,wasaSummerEnrichmentProgramparticipantin1997,andservedasthePresidentofthePublicHealthStudentsofAfricanDescent(PHSAD)duringhertimehereatSPH.SheunexpectedlypassedawayonThursdayFebruary11th,2016.Melvahadrecentlylaunchedanewventure,ImagineMD,afterseveralyearsleadingeffortsattheUniversityofChicagoStudentHealthService.

IwillrememberMelvaformanythings.Sheembodiedthedrive,excellence,andcompassionthatweallwanttohaveasprofessionalsinhealthcare.Nowasafacultymembersome15yearsafterinitiallymeetingMelva,andteachingsimilarmindstobethebestpublichealthprofessionals,Iamthankfulforthefriendshipwebuilt.Furthermore,andIcannotunderscorethisenough,MelvaHardymodeledthebestofdiversitythatsomanyprogramswanttohaveintheirstudentbody.

ToSPHandHMP,pleasemakesuretocelebrateMelvaasanoutstandingalumnus.Compassionisouronehumancharacteristicthatallowsustoappreciatecontributionsofpeople,andmoreover,theirintent.Melvawasanactivealumnus,andalwaysmadesuretoputyoufirstonherprofessionalsupportprioritylist.

ToPHSAD,MelvawillbePHSADtome.Ifyouwanttoknowwhatfamilyfeelslikeinagraduatestudentorganization,talktomeoranyoneelsethatservedorparticipatedwhenMelvawasactiveinPHSAD.WhenImether,MelvawasPHSADPresident.SheandherVice-President,StaceyDavis,weretheperfectstudentorganizationandfamilycomplement.TheyintroducedmetoPHSADinawaythatIwillcherishforever.Melva’sengagingsmileandnurturingtenacitymadehersuchagreatstudentorganizationleader.

TheenergyinPHSADmeetingswasloving.Duringanygivenmeeting,youinteractedwithfirstyearstudents,secondyearstudents,doctoralstudents,professorsandstaff,andalumnispeakers.OfcourseIalwaysattendedforthefood,butIamsureothersdidaswell.Itwaspartoftheambiance,similartogoinghomeandknowingyouaregoingtobefed,andcango

backforseconds.Melvatalkedwitheveryone,andhadtherespectoftheschooltomovethePHSADagenda.Thedoctoralstudentsservedasthehistoricalmemoryandwisdomoftheorganization.Thefacultyjumpedintohelpguidethepoliticsoftheconversations.Themasters’studentswerethezingandenergyofeventsandplanning.Itworkedwell.

IwouldtakemyPHSADlessons,manydirectlyasaresultofMelva’sguidance,withmethroughmynextcoupleofcareerstops.Asadoctoralstudent,IhelpedrestartaBlackGraduateStudentAssociationatCal,aswellasaminorityhealthconferenceatCal.Inmyfirstfacultyrole,UTSPHinHouston,Iwouldgoontosponsorthedevelopmentofastudentorganization,andhelpafewofthestudentsstartaPHSAD.IusedthesamePHSADformulaforsuccesseachtime.MyideashadMelva’sinfluencealloverthem.

ToSEP,thereisacamaraderiepridethatcomeswithbeingacohortparticipant.ItbeginswiththestateofaffairsyouwereinbeforeSEP,andthenconnectstoDr.Lichtensteinandhispassionfordoingtherightthing.Finally,itmanifestsitselfincollegialityastheolderalumnigetthechancetopreceptand/ormentorcurrentSEPparticipants.IhadthisconnectionwithMelvaHardy.Overtheyears,IbumpedintoMelvahereandthereatconferencesandUMalumnievents,andtheneventuallyendedupinhercity…Chicago.ItwasnotlonguntilIwouldrunintoMelva.Irememberthedayandevent,summerconcertseriesinthepark.Iwasgoingtothemidweekoutdoorparty,andMelvahadalreadytore’upthefloorand

washeadedhome.Wehuggedandparted.Iexplainedtomywife,“ThatwasMelva.Shewaseverybody’smotheratUMSPHwhenIwasthere.Greatperson.ShemadeusparticipateinthestudentorganizationPHSAD.”Melvalookedgood,wasingreatspirits,andasusual,crackedthatbigsmileasshesetonherway.

Second,IreconnectedwithMelvaataconferenceorevent,andlearnedofherboldmovetoventureouttobeginastartup.Afterseveralyearsataworldclassinstitution,theUniversityofChicago,Melvawasgoingto“riskitallononegameofpitchandtoss.”Fascinating,jealous,happyforher,proud.ImagineMDwashernewventure,aconceptinthemakingwhenIheardaboutit,andIcouldnothavebeenhappier…readmoreimpressedinherdecision-makingandresolve.Shesaiditwastimetochallengeherselfinadifferentway.UofChicagowassafe,butMelvawantedtheadventure.Rather,Melvamadeadventureforherselfinsomanyways,thisventureincluded.

IlastconnectedwithMelvainDecember2015,updatingheronmymovetoUMSPH.Shewasinthemidstofa100daysofhappinesschallenge.For100days,sheplannedtolivelifetothefullest.Awesomeconcept.ThatwasanotherexampleofthefearlessnessIappreciatedinMelva.Inmyfirstfewweeksasafacultymember,itdidnottakelongformetomentionMelvatoastudent.In1-1conversationswithacoupleofstudentsthissemester,Ipickeduponthestudents’desiretomixhealthadministrationwithentrepreneurship.Iknewexactlywhichalumtoconnectthestudents.Furthermore,becauseofMelva’scharacter,Iknewwhatkindofadvicetheywouldeventuallygetfromher.

IbelievethereareenoughUMSPHstringsouttheretohelpconnectinterestedstudentstomoreexamplesofentrepreneurship.IamconfidentthattherewillbemoreoutstandingleaderstotakeupthemantleofPHSADanditsfamilyspirit.IknowthatSPHwillcontinuetorecruitandgraduategreatstudentsthatgoontodogreatthingsinpublichealth.IamalsoencouragedthatHMPwillcontinuewithacommitmenttodiversityinthemannerthatfoundMelvaHardyviaSEPrecruitmentefforts.ButIwouldberemissifIsuggestedthatwewouldhaveanotherMelvaFrancineHardy.Shewillbemissed.

Saddened,EbbinDotson

MyOpenLettertoSPH–MelvaHardy