MSU Denver
Current news from our department
Trouble in the ozone: Denver’s declining air quality is a serious problem.
This year, Denver was ranked the seventh-most ozone-polluted city in the country. And in April, the Environmental Protection Agency admonished the city (for the second time in three years) as a “severe” violator of federal air-quality standards.
A recent study estimated that ambient ozone pollution, specifically, causes more than 800 deaths each year in Colorado. And as Denver once more starts to fall back to the notorious “brown cloud” days of the 1980s, the city’s pollution levels represent a growing threat to public health.
The good news, however, is that the state’s leaders don’t appear to be taking this news idly. Against stiff industry opposition, Colorado lawmakers last month passed an air-pollution bill that strictly regulates toxic air substances and goes beyond current EPA requirements.
“I agree with leaders across the state, including from our state health department, that recent events indicate a clear need to start taking climate change seriously,” said Erin Seedorf, Ph.D., assistant professor in MSU Denver’s Department of Health Professions. “It’s important that we push for bold climate-policy development.”
Together We Can Combat the Devastating Effects of Ageism and Ableism
Article by by Dr. Amy Dore, CLC Board Chair, Metropolitan State University Professor and Maddy Chapman, MHA at MSU Denver Alum, Director of Community Life, Someren Glen
Did you know that ageism is learned and developed during early childhood and continued throughout adulthood? Did you know 61 million adults in the United States live with a disability? Ageism and ableism plague every aspect of our society, affecting how we view others and ourselves and triggering job loss, memory issues, health complications, decreased lifespan, and even impacts our national Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Did you know that you can play a part in combating Ageism and Ableism?
Breaking barriers, saving lives
An ‘Afro-Latina, first-generation student, STEM enthusiast, proud immigrant’ and President’s Award winner perseveres to graduation.
Before Ines Calvete Barrios came to the United States, she lived in Barranquilla, Colombia, where she said she faced domestic violence, poverty and uncertainty.
Then, things got worse. In 2012, at age 12, she and her family came to Denver.
“Soon after we arrived, we found ourselves in an abusive, controlling and dark place,” said Calvete Barrios, the 2022 President’s Award winner for student achievement and Integrative Health Care major at Metropolitan State University of Denver.
Vaccination challenges in the latino community
Health Professions Professor Ricardo Gonzalez-Fisher, MD speaks to 9NEWS about the low vaccination rate in the Latino community and the vaccine clinics offered by his organization.
Fall 2021 MHA Hooding & Pinning Ceremony
We are very proud of our Fall 2021 MHA Graduates! The Hooding & Pinning Ceremony was held on December 15, 2021 at SpringHill Suites Denver Downtown at MSU Denver. We were honored by amazing speakers including the Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affair, Alfred W. Tatum, Ph.D. , the Interim Dean, College of Health and Applied Sciences, Hope Szypulski, Ph.D., our student speaker Blaine Cole, MHA and our keynote speaker, the CEO, Denver Health, Robin D. Wittenstein, Ed.D., FACHE.
If you missed the ceremony but would like to watch, check out the link below.
First-Of-Its-Kind Survey Aims To Stop Exodus Of Health Care Workers
MHA Professor Ezekiel Peters is part of a disaster preparedness coalition of health organizations in Colorado that is taking action to prevent widespread staff shortages in health care.
MHA Alumnae Featured on PBS 12
MHA Alumnae have joined community leaders on public television to discuss ageism, the future of work, technology and more amid COVID-19.
HEP Spring 2021 Newsletter
Read more about the Department of Health Professions including scholarship awards, new Faculty, and a contest to name our newsletter!
Historic Implications of COVID-19
Dr. Seedorf, MHA Professor, interviewed by 9news to discuss the unprecedented timeframe in which the COVID-19 vaccine was developed and approved.
Life expectancy in Denver varies depending on what part of the city you live in
MHA Professor and founding MHA Program Director, Dr. Amy Dore, speaks to why the differences in life expectancy are so stark in Denver.
COVID in Colorado: Stride Community Health Expands Vaccination Program
Professor Allison Draayer is leading the vaccine effort in the Denver Metro area in this CBS News Denver Article.
Cost of Care: Purchasing alliances for more affordable health care
Professor Chris Looby speaks to the importance of affordable health care in this Denver7 News story.
Families picking cost-sharing companies to save on health care
MHA Professor Jeff Helton, PHD speaks to the cost of health care in this 9 News Interview.