Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Public Health Student Association held its first annual Healthy ‘Dores Week from March 31 to April 4, featuring free social and educational events open to all students. Events included an end overdose training, a mindfulness and meditation workshop and the annual Global Health Symposium.
Julia Landivar Donato, a second-year public health master’s student and organizer of the event, spoke on the purpose of Healthy ‘Dores Week.
“[Healthy ‘Dores Week is] part of the [Public Health Student] Days, just with a broader commitment to the Vanderbilt community to get everyone connected with public health,” Donato said.
Global Health Symposium
Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health Student Advisory Council hosted its annual Global Health Symposium on April 1, from 5-7:30 p.m. CDT in the Student Life Center Board of Trustees Room. PHSA partnered with Vanderbilt’s Institute for Global Health to highlight the importance of interconnectedness within public health on both the local and international levels.
Students were able to view posters and presentations created by undergraduate and graduate students, special guests and faculty. Students were able to network with and gain insight from professional organizations such as the Tennessee Department of Health, Siloam Health, VUMC, PHSA and the Career Center.
First-year Jennie Li spoke on her takeaways from the symposium.
“I went because I’m interested in exploring medicine, health and society as a major,” Li said. “[At the event], I learned that even undergraduates can get involved in research experiences such as the ones I saw in the global symposium.”
Additionally, first-year Zimo Fan talked about the clarity she received from the Chair of the Board at Siloam Health Center and keynote speaker, Douglas Heimburger. Heimburger provided advice for students currently deciding on a career path.
“The talk reminded me that I always have the opportunity to explore my interests and that it’s never too late to do so,” Fan said. “I don’t need to rush into deciding my future career path right now.”
Other events
The week also featured a Narcan and fentanyl testing training session on March 31, led in partnership with the End Overdose organization at Vanderbilt. The event included a presentation on the dangers of fentanyl, guided practice on testing with fentanyl strips, instruction on how to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose and a game of bingo on the key takeaways of the workshop.
“In the End Overdose training, we wanted people to learn real skills that could possibly save a life,” Donato said.
On April 2, PHSA hosted “Lap and Lunch” in the Masters of Public Health building as the event was moved inside due to inclement weather. Students gathered outside the Vanderbilt Bookstore for lunch beforehand, and outdoor games such as volleyball and badminton were provided during the event.
Donato spoke on the way the Lap and Lunch aimed to reach the intersection of physical and mental health.
“Our other events include meditation, physical activity, nature and community building, which are all great for mental health,” Donato said.
The week ended on April 4 with the healthcare networking night hosted by Owen Graduate School of Management and PHSA. The event brought together students, faculty and alumni from both the health sciences and business fields. Donato explained that this event was meant to allow attendees to engage in healthcare and gain interdisciplinary networking opportunities.
“Our networking event is an opportunity for master’s students to network across disciplines and be able to further their professional development in healthcare,” Donato said.
