BW Psychology Grad Awarded Master's Assistantship

Ashely Smith '10

Recent BW graduate, Ashley Smith '15, is now working as a graduate assistant for the College of Public Health at Kent State University. While at BW, Smith combined studies in behavioral sciences and public health to essentially created a customized education in "Health Psychology," although her official major was psychology.

Smith (R) with BW professor Jen Perry on graduation day

Smith's exceptional grade point average of 3.988, combined with an impressive list of activities on and off campus during her undergraduate career, helped to land the assistantship as she pursue's a master's degree in public health with a concentration in social and behavioral sciences.

As a BW undergrad, the Berea native was especially active in BW's Psychology Department, serving as Psychology Student Research Coordinator, President of Psi Chi, Treasurer of the Psychology Club, and avid researcher.

Smith received BW's William Prokasy Award for her academic achievements and contributions to the field of psychology, and also was a White Rose Ceremony participant.

As she pursues her graduate degree, she is working on two separate grant funded projects. 

First BW Student Accepted to OU Medical School Under Primary Care Early Assurance Program

BW's Primary Healthcare Advancement Program has produced the first future doctor to win early acceptance to medical school at Ohio University-Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine (OU-HCOM). Nathan Katz '17 was honored at a celebratory dinner on the new Cleveland campus of OU-HCOM.

Katz, a biology (pre-med) major, has always wanted to be a primary care doctor. Being granted early acceptance to medical school as a junior is a dream come true for the Columbus native. "I've wanted to be a doctor since my senior year of high school after I started caring for my grandfather while he struggled with dementia in his old age."

The partnership with OU-HCOM is one of two early assurance medical school partnerships that BW has to offer.  The other links aspiring physicians at BW to Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. The Primary Healthcare Advancement Program blends coursework of BW's public health major and a medically oriented science curriculum, giving undergraduate students a foundation needed to successfully pursue primary care medical training.

Katz's advice to anyone looking for early acceptance to medical school? "Take things day by day and don't get overwhelmed by the requirements of the program or the course load!"

Her Haven for Humanity

When Sarah Cunningham ’16, turned 21 while en route to Uganda, she celebrated the milestone quietly. Her gift upon landing was a brilliant sunrise that beckoned her to a land sparse with economic surplus but rich with hope.

“My grandparents are missionaries there who started their own organization to aid children,” she said. “In December, I spent three weeks with them in Uganda doing research that will be used as part of my honors thesis at BW. As a public health major, I was living my dream…to work with women and children in developing nations.

“I visited the slums and conducted interviews with young women,” she continued. “They have suffered illness, pain, surgery, poverty and unfaithful husbands. Their lives were tenuous in many ways and filled with episodes of pain. Yet, they still smiled and carried on.

“When AIDS wiped out a generation of parents, girls grew up without mothers. Conversations about maturation, pregnancy and sex were not discussed in-depth," she noted.

An aspiring OB/GYN physician, Cunningham sees her trip to Uganda as one that united her passion for women and children’s issues with her career goal and heart for humanitarian service.

“I am so grateful for this opportunity,” she said. “The Baldwin Wallace Honors Program helped fund my trip and has done a great job encouraging me to achieve my goals. So, too, have the professors in public health, my church and family.

“I am also indebted to the people of Uganda. The images I saw and the stories I heard impacted me in many ways,” she acknowledged.

Upon leaving, she took with her research data and cherished memories of her grandparents. But also resounding within her heart were images and words blurred within the confines of pain and uncertainty that cut through the slums of Uganda with barbs of poverty, disease and abandonment.

But also with hope, courage and determination.

Psychology and Public Health Majors Serve in Ghana

For many students, summer includes bonfires at the beach, road trips with friends, and naps by the pool. Two Baldwin Wallace students, Nuha Alshabani ’15 (pictured above) and Mary McHale ’16, spent part of their summer serving in the Cape Coast of Ghana on issues related to public health and education. Both have plans to return to the African nation.

As part of their ProWorld-Intrax internships, Nuha and Mary assisted Cape Coast teachers in classrooms for students with disabilities. The pair also interned in a department for social welfare focusing on health promotion for such issues as HIV/AIDS awareness, personal hygiene, and basic first aid.

While living in Ghana, Nuha and Mary faced the challenges that come with cultural immersion. Both students noted that their liberal arts education at BW helped prepare them. Nuha said, “I realized how important a liberal arts education is and how it can prepare you for practical issues. I felt like I had knowledge in many different areas that I could draw on to help me in my internship and interactions in the community.”

Mary found the experience to be a confidence booster. “I think I have become a friendlier person. In Africa, everyone says hello to each other, and since I have left, I’ve definitely picked that up and do it in the States.”

As a Public Health major, Mary’s experience also supported her career development. She aspires to attend graduate school for public health and an accelerated nursing program after earning her undergraduate degree, and would like to serve in the Peace Corps. After graduation, Nuha hopes to apply her degree in Psychology towards becoming a child and family counselor.

This December, Mary and Nuha will return to Ghana to continue their internships during winter break.

BW Junior Wins Stilwell Scholarship

 

Amanda Feairheller '15 is one of two BW students awarded The Charles J. Stilwell Scholarship for her "outstanding performance in an internship."

Feairheller interned at The Free Clinic of Greater Cleveland last fall as part of her participation in BW's Urban Semester Program. She served as an HIV testing counselor for The Free Clinic's walk-in HIV testing program. She also worked with the Clinic's Syringe Exchange Program, one of only two in Ohio, as well as Project DAWN, which stands for Deaths Avoided With Naloxone.

"It was an honor to work with The Free Clinic and work on an issue that has devastated our community," said Feairheller. "It reminds me why I chose Public Health."

In addition to her Public Health major, with a minor in Chemistry and is a member of BW's public health club, Veritas. Last year, Feairheller was in the news for making a coast-to-coast bike ride for AIDS awareness.

BW Students Present at Renowned Public Health Conference

Amanda Feairheller '15

Robert Hood '14

Two BW Public Health students were among a select group of undergraduates to present projects at a highly esteemed national conference. Amanda Feairheller '15 and Robert Hood '14 joined researchers and clinicians who showcased their work at the recent American Public Health Association (APHA) annual conference in Boston.

Feairheller presented a poster showcasing research into "Barriers to using Telemedicine for Preventing Mental Illness in Rural Maine."

Hood's research poster presentation was titled "Self Reported Health Status and Barriers to Self-Management of Chronic Diseases Among an Undeserved Community in Rural Maine: Preliminary Findings."

The student research was based on an ongoing Community Based Participatory Research partnership between BW's Public Health program and the small fishing village of Lubec, Maine. The student research is mentored by Swagata Banik, Ph.D., associate professor and public health program director.

Top of Her Class

The BW Class of 2013 included an amazing number of accomplished graduates, but only one was presented with the the Milton T. Baldwin Prize for achieving the highest GPA among the 813 grads. Jennifer Evans of Strongsville earned a whopping 3.989 GPA en route to earning her degree in Pre-Physical Therapy and Public Health.  Jen will be attending Ohio State University to pursue a Doctorate of Physical Therapy. Read more on the Strongsville Patch news site.