BYU Public Health

By Ashley Kearl, BPHA Communications-Technology Officer

The BYU Public Health Association (BPHA) hosted an annual Opening Social for faculty and students on Thursday September 17, 2009. The Student Athletic Building Conference Room gave the event a great ambiance and was an ideal location for the event.

Public Health and School Health students gathered with professors to converse and have an opportunity to network. This activity provided student an opportunity to meet professors, become familiar with the tracks, learn about involvement in research, and learn about internships and volunteer opportunities. Students were also educated about BPHA and encouraged to join. The students remarked that they had a great time talking to each other, as well as the professors. One health promotion student, Lee Goates came to the open house with a concern about internship requirements. She said “After talking one-on-one with Dr. Thackeray I learned that my job at the Student Health Center can qualify as my internship. I was really glad to have the chance to talk about my concerns, and am relieved to know I won’t have to quit my job”. Many of the professors also commented that they also enjoyed having the chance to talk to students outside of the classroom.  The event was a complete success. Over 90 people attended and the room was buzzing with conversation and networking the whole hour.

Professors who attended and participated: Dr. Brad Neiger , Dr. Ray Merrill, Dr. Gordon Lindsay, Dr. Len Novilla, Ms. Emily McIntyre, Mrs. Stephanie Fugal, Dr. Josh West, Dr. Steve Thygerson, Dr. Alton Thygerson, Dr. Rosemary Thackeray, Dr. Carl Hanson, Dr. Michael Barnes, Dr. Randy Page, Dr. Cougar Hall

Students who planned and ran the event:
Ashley Arrington – President
Blake Andersen- Secretary
Ashley Kearl- Communications/ Technology Officer
Daniel Kim- Pre-Professional Vice President
Oliver Johnston- Health Promotion Vice President
Yasu Morita- Health Science Vice President
Cory Garr- School Health Vice President
Allison Anderson- Epidemiology Vice President
Miriam Cariello- Student Council Rep
Katie Homer- Department Student Journal

The BPHA Presidency would like to thank: The professors and Health Science staff members who gave their help and who participated, Mrs. Stephanie Fugal, the SAB custodial staff, and all who attended.