Public Health in My Community

Community Events

Farmer's Market

farmmarketThe Columbus Public Health Farmer's Market kicked off its fourth season in July 2008 with more vendors than ever before. The market, funded in part by the College of Public Health, provided nutritious food options to Columbus' Downtown and East Side neighbors who live in areas with limited access to fresh produce.

View photos from this event.

 

Students in the Community

studentsSPHS -- In addition to their course-related and practicum projects, students are involved in service in a variety of ways. There are two student organizations within the college. The Society of Public Health Students (SPHS) is comprised of all students currently enrolled in the College of Public Health. The organization's mission is to be a conduit for communication of public health issues with students, faculty and members of the surrounding community, and to provide networking opportunities for those interested in public health careers.

  • The organization meets regularly to plan community service activities, social gatherings and professional development events.
  • SPHS annually organizes a successful food drive with all donations benefiting the Mid-Ohio Food Bank.
  • Another regular service activity takes place at COSI (Center of Science and Industry, a Columbus museum emphasizing children and families): every month students from CPH select a topic and present information at a table at COSI. Some recent topics have included autism, breast cancer awareness, and SIDS.
  • Students also regularly participate in National Public Health Week, typically with events and information aimed at the OSU student population. In 2008 students participated in a fundraiser and walk for MS at the Columbus Zoo.

Email Chris Volpe, SPHS president, for more information.

Find more about the Society of Public Health Students (SPHS)

 

AFHE -- The second student organization is the Association of Future Healthcare Executives (AFHE). Membership is open to MHA students and other graduate students interested in healthcare professions. The overall goal of AFHE is to facilitate opportunities for students to accomplish their professional objectives, specifically for those who are seeking careers in health care management. AFHE has been involved in a variety of service activities, including work at the Physicians Free Clinic, reading to children with developmental disabilities, and donations such as a food drive at Thanksgiving and toy collection in December.

Email Kyle Dorsey, AFHE president, for more information.

Visit the AFHE website

 

Faculty and Staff Service

The College of Public Health deals with service as an integral component, as expressed in the college's mission statement: We protect and improve the health of the people of Ohio, the nation and the world... Collaborating with government and other partners, we develop solutions to current and emerging public health problems. Service is thus identified as a core part of what the college is striving to do. The college implements this mission through specific activities, and by demonstrating that it values those activities. The table here provides some highlights of the College's service activities.

One example where research, service and education have merged is the Columbus Congregations for Healthy Youth initiative.