HPM News

News of the Division of Health Policy and Management

April 2008

Mike Davern awarded 2008 AUPHA John D. Thompson Prize

Mike Davern, Assistant Professor in HPM has been awarded the 2008 AUPHA John D. Thompson Prize for Young Investigators. This award was established to honor John D. Thompson, a professor of health administration education, who set teaching, commitment to learning, collegial relationships, and health services research standards which are without peer. The Prize recognizes young investigators based on their contributions to the research literature in the field of health services.

Former US General Surgeon gives keynote address at Alumni & Friends Scholarship Gala

Despite the late arrival due to the weather conditions, Richard H. Carmona, the 17th Surgeon General of the United States spoke on April 10th at the Nicollet Island Inn to the School of Public Health faculty, associates, students, and friends in honor of National Public Health Week. Dr. Carmona’s career has focused on prevention, preparedness, health disparities, health literacy, and global health. Others highlighted at the Gala include Ulric P. Gibson, author of Water Well Manual, an international best seller and Finnegan-Mosberger Family Fellowship recipient John Li. Both the MHA Alumni Association/Foundation and SPH Division of Health Policy and Management sponsored tables at the event.

2008 AHA Chairman William Petasnick provides guest lecture

The 2008 American Hospital Association’s Board of Trustees Chairman William Petasnick, MHA class of 1970, spoke to faculty and students on April 17th as part of the “Leadership and Affecting Change” course through the MHA program. Petasnick addressed health policy issues, accountability, and quality of care. He encouraged students to get involved in policy early in their careers. “The most important role of being a healthcare executive is being a social change agent,” said Petasnick, CEO of Froedtert Healthcare System, an academic and community-based healthcare system in Wisconsin. Petasnick further discussed health policy debates taking place at the federal level.

Student News

Two PHAP students placed at DHS

Nome Xaphakdy and Geeta Naidu were selected for the highly competitive Executive Pathways Internship Program with the Minnesota Department of Human Services-Nursing Facility Rates & Policy (NFRP) Division. Nome will be working on a first-of-its-kind Statewide Diversity/Cultural Competency Initiative for Nursing homes in Minnesota assisting in the evaluation of mini-grant programs, which provides funding for providers to implement programs and services that recognizes diversity and cultural competency among facility staff and residents and assist in the development of a provider resource guide for culturally competent care and staffing. Nome will graduate this spring. Geeta is a current JD/PHAP student.

Melissa Nelson awarded post-doc fellowship

PhD student, Melissa Nelson was awarded a NRSA (National Research Service Award), postdoctoral fellowship in mental health services research; it is a 2-year position at Rutgers’ Institute for Health, Health Care Policy, and Aging Research. Melissa will graduate this spring and her fellowship will begin at the end of June.

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