Texas A&M celebrates National Public Health Week 2018

The Texas A&M School of Public Health will once again host an array of events in the Brazos Valley to celebrate National Public Health Week (NPHW) April 2–6, with numerous activities open to the public.

The week will kick off with multiple events on Monday, April 2, beginning at 10:00 am, when College Station Mayor Karl Mooney and Bryan Mayor Andrew Nelson will read and present a signed proclamation to Dean Jay Maddock in the lobby of the school’s administration building declaring National Public Health Week in the Brazos Valley. The winners of the “This is Public Health” photo contest will be announced. Also, Gathright Award winners—the outstanding student at the sophomore, junior and senior level—will be recognized.

At noon, motivation speaker Stephen Mackey, along with Brigadier General Joe Ramirez, commandant of the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets, and Texas A&M mascot Reveille, will kick off the World Fit Walk Event on the steps of the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center. The school is supporting this six-week campaign designed to motivate and encourage youth to increase their physical activity. Individuals can choose to track their physical activity online and engage in the global effort to inspire elementary and middle school youth to stay active. Each Friday for six weeks at 11:30 am, participants will meet at the School of Public Health to walk one mile. At the event Monday, General Ramirez will also discuss “Mission Readiness,” a national security organization that advocates for smart investments to help our young people grow up “citizen ready”—prepared to succeed academically and stay physically fit.

Later in the day, the Research Poster Student Showcase will be on display for public viewing in the school’s classroom building. Beginning at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, students will be available to discuss their research findings and answer questions. Light refreshments will be served. Research posters will be displayed the entire week for viewing.

On Tuesday, April 3, the school will host a blood drive in the Medical Sciences Library from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

On Wednesday, April 4, at 4:30 p.m. in the school’s classroom building, Associate Dean of Research Marcia Ory and Dean Jay Maddock will announce the winners of the student research poster competition.

“Understanding New Categories of Diabetes” will be the Brown Bag Lunch & Learn on Thursday, April 5, beginning at 12:45 p.m., featuring health educator Mary Parrish from the Brazos County Public Health Department. The event will be held in room 108 in the classroom building.

The week’s festivities will conclude on Friday, April 6, from 6:00–8:00 p.m. in front of Must Be Heaven (100 S. Main St.) during First Friday in Downtown Bryan where volunteers will provide guided tours of walking trails the school helped the city develop. The Brazos County Health Department will participate in this event, and promotional materials and door prizes will be distributed.