National Public Health Week at Creighton

Vending Health: Transforming Public Health Access in Omaha, Nebraska

Registration Link

This session will dive into how to implement health resource vending machines to boost health equity and access, particularly in underserved areas, offering a guide for other public health agencies.

Presented by:

• Leah Casanave, Douglas County Health Department, Division Chief, Community Health, Nutrition and Clinical Services
• Jennifer Benitez-Albiter, Douglas County Health Department, Community Health Educator
• Sam Davey, Douglas County Health Department, Epidemiologist
   

APHA Kickoff Forum – Public health in the age of deception: Confronting the misinformation crisis

Register here

When misinformation spreads as fast as a virus, public health must respond quickly. False and misleading information is eroding trust in public health, widening inequities, and undermining prevention efforts. APHA's National Public Health Week Forum will dig into what’s driving the problem of misinformation — and what we can do about it. 

Join this national webinar to explore practical, evidence-based strategies for cutting through the noise, strengthening clear and transparent communication, and helping communities spot credible information. Leading experts will share lessons from recent successes, the importance of cross-sector partnerships, and how to prepare today’s workforce to respond effectively in real time. Learn how you can be part of the solution. Join online or in Washington, DC. 
 

Mayors Advancing Physical Activity, Mental Well-Being and Social Connection

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This webinar from APHA will highlight how mayors in communities across the nation are taking actionable steps to advance physical activity, improve mental health and boost social connection. Drawing on real examples from the National Forum for Heart Disease & Stroke Prevention’s Move with the Mayor® initiative, the session will showcase how city leaders are building sustainable programs and policies that strengthen community health. You will hear from mayors representing a mix of geographies and population sizes who have demonstrated leadership through Move With the Mayor. 
 

This Is Public Health: Share Your Public Health Story

Register: Webinar Description and Registration – Zoom

Join the Association of Schools & Programs of Public Health webinar series ASPPH Presents. This event will be a live conversation with alumni of the TIPH ambassadors' program about the experiences that shaped their public health journeys. Panelists will share how they discovered public health, what a public health degree can open across diverse career paths, and the real-world skills it builds, from data and program planning to policy, community engagement, and health equity.
 

Communicating with Diverse Communities

Register: Webinar Description and Registration - Zoom

Join the Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health’s professional development webinar featuring two speakers presenting about health communication and culture and communicating with diverse communities to advance public health.
 

Ready. Set. Action! #NPHW Flood the feed

Join APHA for our online live forum.

Joining Information
 

Building Well-being, Promoting Community Life and Supporting Neighbors

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This webinar from APHA will explore how individuals and communities can nurture mental health and well-being, support one another, and strengthen social connections in the face of life’s challenges. Panelists will discuss the connection between personal wellness and thriving communities and share practical actions people can take to support themselves and their neighbors.
 

The State of Health in Nebraska

In this recording provided by the Public Health Association of Nebraska (PHAN), Dr. Ali Kahn, Dean of UNMC College of Public Health presents an annual State of Health in Nebraska including the top cause of mortality and morbidity in Nebraska, along with trends.

View the recording
Passcode: YS!sT+6X
 

Just show up!

This session will provide practical insight into how risk perception influences preparedness behaviors and how public health professionals can strengthen resilience through effective communication. A timely and engaging topic, especially as climate driven flooding continues to affect many communities across the Midwest.  

Presented by: Dhitinut “DT” Ratnapradipa, PhD, Professor and Program Director in Master of Public Health, Department of Clinical Research & Public Health, School of Medicine

Brought to you by: Creighton University – Community Oriented Primary Care Program Common Ground monthly seminar. Common Ground is an interprofessional forum focused on health disparities. 
 

Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health presents one of its monthly professional development sessions during NPHW. Participate in a recording of the webinar, and also access other webinars that are part of the 2025 professional development series.

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Access the entire 2025 professional development series

This webinar commemorates the 30th anniversary of NPHW will highlight the comprehensive impact of public health and will explore the future of public health by addressing "what's next." Presented by the American Public Health Association (APHA).

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This webinar recording explores the key issues and challenges related to intellectual and developmental disabilities through powerful stories and perspectives that highlight the urgent need for action to promote equity and inclusion. Presented by the APHA.

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This recorded webinar from the APHA provides an exclusive first look at new data from the Public Health Workforce Interest and Needs Survey (PH WINS), conducted by the de Beaumont Foundation. Explore the experiences, perceptions and challenges of public health employees under 35 years old, offering both data-driven insights and personal stories. Presented by the APHA.

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This special 30th-anniversary recorded webinar spotlights the profound impact public health has had over the years, from eradicating diseases and extending life expectancy to building healthier, more resilient communities. Expert panelists explored emerging challenges and shared strategies to overcome them. Hosted by ASPPH (Association for Schools & Programs of Public Health).

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This recorded webinar shares the transformative power of advocacy and partnership in shaping healthier communities and advancing public health priorities. Presented by the APHA.

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As climate change intensifies, so do its effects on mental health. From climate anxiety to trauma caused by extreme weather, communities are grappling with the psychological toll of our changing environment. Extreme heat, in particular, has been linked to increased stress, aggression and cognitive decline. Join APHA’s Center for Climate, Health & Equity in this recorded webinar exploring how climate trauma manifests, who is most affected, and why public health solutions are essential for building mental and emotional resilience. Experts share insights on public health interventions, policies and practical tools including mindfulness-based strategies to help communities cope. This was a live session – recording is not available.

A variety of resources are available at APHA’s Center for Climate, Health and Equity

Creighton University’s Juvenile Justice Clinic: Taking Action to Address Social Problems for At-Risk Youth

Access recording here

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Joy M. Suder, JD – Assistant Professor, Director, Juvenile Justice Clinic
Creighton University School of Law

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Karla Dush – Director, Community Connections
Creighton University School of Law

Resources:

• WOWT – Feb 5, 2024 - https://www.wowt.com/2024/02/06/creighton-university-expand-free-juvenile-legal-clinic-north-omaha/
• $1 million helps Creighton’s juvenile justice clinic aid at-risk youth creighton.edu news story, Feb. 15, 2024

Conservation Nebraska – Omaha Climate Resiliency Summit Film Screening

Film Screening of 2040

6:30 p.m. – Mike and Josie Harper Center, Ahmanson Ballroom, Creighton University

Panel discussion prior to the film with City Council President Pete Festersen, Marco Floreani (City of Omaha), a representative from Pale Blue Dot and Dr. Jesse Bell from the UNMC COPH. Brought to you by Conservation Nebraska and PHAN (Public Health Association of Nebraska).

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Tickets available in advance: Omaha Climate Resiliency Summit : What We Do : Conservation Nebraska (neconserve.org)
 

Health Professional Action in the Climate Crisis

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Cecilia Sorenson, MD
Director, Global Consortium on Climate and Health Education, Columbia University

Explore the current climate impacts on health, the impacts on health sector activities and ways in which health professionals are called to action. You are invited to view a previously recorded webinar.
Listen to the recording (shared with permission)

Biography
Dr. Cecilia Sorensen is the Director of the Global Consortium on Climate and Health Education at Columbia University, Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at Columbia Irving Medical Center, and Associate Professor of Environmental Health Sciences at Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University. As a physician-investigator at the nexus of climate change and human health, translating research into policy, clinical action, and education to build resilience in vulnerable communities are all focus of her research. Her recent work spans domestic as well as international emergent health issues related to climate change, including extreme heat, degraded air quality, extreme weather events, emerging infectious diseases, women’s health, and worker health. Dr. Sorensen is a member of the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change and serves on the National Academy of Medicine Action Collaborative for Decarbonization of the U.S. Health Sector. She is the co-editor of the textbook Climate Change and Human Health: From Science to Practice.

Creighton Community Collaborative – Supporting Healthy Futures

Introduction to Creighton Community Collaborative

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April Dixon, MPH - Program Manager with Creighton Community Collaborative, Creighton University

Learn about the Creighton Community Collaborative.
Listen to the introduction to Creighton Community Collaborative

Interview: Breaking Generational Cycles of Incarceration

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Erin Cooper, MS-CJC, Director of Research & Evaluation at RISE
In this interview, Erin Cooper shares insights into RISE’s focus on services to help the health and wellbeing of the person incarcerated, their family, their children and their community. To date, more than 200 system-impacted families are taking the first steps at healing, restoration and ending cycles of incarceration for their family. seeusrise.org

• Listen to the interview

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Interview: Health Prevention and Promotion with Local Latina Women and their Families

Virginia McGill, Executive Director, Families In Action/Familias En Accion
Lillian Miranda, Associate Director, Families In Action/Familias En Accion
In this interview, Virginia McGill and Lillian Miranda share how the initiatives they are passionate about align with their mission to come together as women and families to promote health, well-being and knowledge and to be role models for our children and community. Families In Action/Familias En Accion are a catalyst for hope and healing in the South Omaha community. This interview is offered with both English and Spanish responses. interfaithhealth.org

• Listen to the interview

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Syphilis: A Case-based Review

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Sara Bares, MD
Associate Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases
University of Nebraska Medical Center

You are invited to view a previously recorded webinar of a case-based review of syphilis.

Objectives:

• Review the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and natural history of syphilis.
• Understand how to interpret syphilis serology.
• Identify appropriate treatment for syphilis based on clinical staging.

Listen to the recording here (shared with permission)

Biography

Dr. Bares joined the HIV/Infectious Diseases team at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in July 2013. She is an Associate Professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases. After receiving her undergraduate degree from Amherst College, Dr. Bares obtained her medical degree from Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. She trained in Internal Medicine at the University of Chicago where she was an intern, resident, and chief resident. Following her residency, Dr. Bares stayed on at the University of Chicago to complete a fellowship in Infectious Diseases. Dr. Bares is bilingual in Spanish and English. Her clinical and research interests include HIV treatment and prevention, HIV-related comorbidities, and HIV in women.

Guided Meditation 

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Lindsay Decker 
500-Hour certified yoga instructor, Training with the Center for Trauma and Embodiment Yoga Program 

Playlist for Guided Meditation 

3 Simple Guided Meditation Scripts (PositivePsychology.com) 

Take some time to slow down over the lunch hour to breathe and be present for 30 minutes. 

Centering and Celebrating Cultures in Health
April 3-9, 2023

The American Public Health Association (APHA) brings together communities across the United States to observe National Public Health Week as a time to recognize the contributions of public health and highlight issues that are important to improving our nation's health.

Creighton Sponsored NPHW Events

• Recordings and resources are available for the 2023 sessions.
• The content of the webinars is solely the responsibility of the presenters and does not necessarily represent the official views of Creighton University or the School of Medicine.
• If you have any questions about the webinars, email MPH@creighton.edu.

Leveraging Community to Benefit the Public’s Health: Local Perspective

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Stephen B. Jackson, MPH 
Former Chief Operating Officer, North Omaha Area Health (NOAH) Clinic

View the video here and the slide deck here.

Join us as Stephen Jackson examines the various dimensions of community and its critical role in an effective public health response. This critical role has been a fundamental concept as it pertains to population health for many years, however making the public health response equitable within a fragmented public health system has been difficult to achieve. This presentation takes a local look at what happens when technology and research end and the role of the community in achieving population health gains begins.    

Objectives

• Describe the various dimensions and complexities of our local community 
• Discuss equality vs. equity 
• Highlight the intersections between public health and community  

Biography

Stephen B. Jackson has spent his career fighting for civil rights, human rights, health equity and social justice. Jackson is a former president of the Omaha Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, inaugural chairperson for Creighton University’s Center for Promoting Health and Health Equality Advisory Board, former chair of the United Way of the Midland’s Heartland Blueprint, former chairperson for the Nebraska Urban Area Health Education Center, a former president of the Susan G. Komen Great Plains (Nebraska, South Dakota and North Dakota) Affiliate, a former public member of the Nebraska Advance Practice Registered Nursing Board, a site visitor for Public Health Accreditation Board and a board member of the American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska.  

Jackson served as the Chief Operating Officer for the North Omaha Area Health Clinic (NOAH). He was responsible for creating the strategic direction of the organization by overseeing the day-to-day operations while analyzing and articulating community health issues, proposing solutions and evaluating the organization’s work.  

Mr. Jackson has obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Jackson State University and a master's in public health degree from the University of Iowa alongside completion of some additional medical and graduate level courses. He is happily married to Dr. Donna Stewart, a licensed child psychologist. They have two children: Myles (16) and Arie (13). 

Rethinking Violence Prevention from a Systems Lens 

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Ace Devlin, PLMHP (name|they|all)
Mental Health and Wellness Manager, Black & Pink, Inc. 

View the video here and the slide deck here.

Many of the systems we have created to prevent interpersonal violence and promote public health have low buy-in and trust from the public, rendering them ineffective. The burden of this disconnect is often misplaced, sometimes onto the very individuals and communities experiencing violence. In this session, we will explore ways that public health systems are contributing to violence in the lives of the people and communities we serve, and how we as individuals can be a part of a movement for change.  

Objectives

• Identify at least two ways that violence prevention/public health systems cause harm 
• Describe how violence and control are connected processes 
• Identify one change you can commit to that will address this problem 

Biography

Ace Devlin (name|they|all) is a provisionally licensed mental health provider. They hold a masters in science from the University of Nebraska Lincoln in Marriage & Family Therapy, with a minor in Medical Family Therapy. Ace is the Mental Health and Wellness Manager at Black & Pink and has an online private therapy practice. They serve on the board of the Nebraska Association of Marriage and Family Therapy.  

Ace has worked in public health for nearly 10 years. Their work has encompassed sexual health education, health promotion and mental health. Their primary focus and specialization is working with LGBTQ+ people who have experienced interpersonal violence. 

Reimagining Black Maternal Health 

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Ashlei Spivey 
Executive Director, I Be Black Girl

View the slide deck here.

This session will explore the framework of reproductive justice and how I Be Black Girl is using the approach to reimagine Black Maternal Health in Nebraska. 

Objectives

• Participants will be able to define reproductive justice
• Participants will explore how to apply justice frameworks into their medical institutions
• Participants will challenge their assumptions related Black people with the capacity for pregnancy

Biography

Ashlei Spivey is a bold leader that actively works to create just communities. In her work as an ecosystem builder, philanthropist and social entrepreneur, she champions racial and gender justice to create catalytic and sustainable system change. Ashlei founded I Be Black Girl five years ago when she saw the deep community need to create spaces specific for Black women, femmes and girls, and she has built the organization in service of expanding meaningful access to resources in Nebraska. 

Guided Meditation 

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Lindsay Decker 
500-Hour certified yoga instructor, Training with the Center for Trauma and Embodiment Yoga Program 

Playlist for Guided Meditation 

3 Simple Guided Meditation Scripts (PositivePsychology.com) 

Take some time to slow down over the lunch hour to breathe and be present for 30 minutes. 

Public Health-Meeting the Needs of Diverse Communities 

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Donna Polk, PhD, LMHP 
Chief Executive Officer, Nebraska Urban Indian Health Coalition, Inc.  

View the video here and the slide deck here.

In recent years, all the major public health and medical organizations have come to understand racism as a public health issue. Despite this acknowledgement, our increasingly diverse American population is still plagued by disparate outcomes for some of its members. Additionally, the public health workforce does not reflect the diversity of society. Amplifying the voices of the communities most impacted by these disparities is key for public health practitioners. How can practitioners use community assessments as an opportunity to partner with community members? What role can community members play in the assessment process? 

Objectives

• The audience will better understand what public health involves 
• Gain an understanding of the role that communities have within public health 
• Explore the strengths and weaknesses of public health programs locally 

Biography

Dr. Donna Polk has been the Chief Executive Officer of the Nebraska Urban Indian Health Coalition (NUIHC) since 1991. NUIHC’s service area includes Omaha, Lincoln and Sioux City, Iowa. Programs and services include behavioral health, transitional housing, primary care, suicide and meth prevention, tired moccasins elders and transportation. She also supervises interns and practicum students from area colleges and universities. Polk describes her proudest, most recent accomplishment as the construction of the Eagle Heights Apartments, affordable housing located in South Omaha. Her local volunteer portfolio includes No More Empty Pots, Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center Community Advisory Board, St. Francis Community Advisory Board and Creighton University Center for Promoting Health and Health Equity. 

Dr. Polk received her doctoral degree in Administration, Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her dissertation topic was “A Study of The Cultural Beliefs of Advanced Practice Nurses.” She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in University Studies and a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology, both from UNL. She is the author of Black Men and Women of Nebraska. Polk is a Licensed Mental Health Practitioner. 

APHA Sponsored Events

To view all APHA sponsored events for the 2023 National Public Health Week, including recordings, please visit their events webpage.

APHA’s Daily Themes for Health Week

• Monday – Community
• Tuesday – Violence Prevention
• Wednesday – Reproductive and Sexual Health
• Thursday – Mental Health
• Friday – Rural Health
• Saturday – Accessibility
• Sunday – Food and Nutrition