Release

UAlbany School of Public Health Receives Gold Award from U.S. Distance Learning Association

Contact: Catherine Herman (518) 437-4980

ALBANY, N.Y. (October 20, 2005) -- The University at Albany School of Public Health has received a Gold Award for Excellence in Programming in Satellite Higher Education from the United States Distance Learning Association. The award, for a satellite broadcast entitled "Genomics and Public Health: Where are we now and where are we going?" was announced during the Association's fall meeting in Long Beach, Calif.

The award-winning broadcast was produced by the UAlbany School of Public Health Continuing Education Program as part of its monthly "Third Thursday Breakfast Broadcast" (T2B2) series and aired on July 21, 2005. It can be viewed on the University at Albany Web Site at www.albany.edu/sph/coned/t2b2genomics.htm.

Featuring Muin Khoury, M.D., and director of the Office of Genomics and Disease Prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the program described in practical terms the potential for integrating genetics and genomics into public health programs, policy and research.

"Genomics and Public Health: Where are we now and where are we going?" introduced key concepts and challenges in the developing field of genomics. The live broadcast reached public health professionals at more than 120 sites in 20 states. It was also the centerpiece of a two-day, interdisciplinary conference on campus organized by Timothy Hoff, associate professor of health policy, and Karen Greendale, director of the genetics program at the New York State Department of Health.

The Award for Excellence in Distance Learning Programming acknowledges major accomplishments in distance learning and recognizes the University at Albany School of Public Health for its outstanding, comprehensive distance learning service.

Through its partnership with the State Health Department, UAlbany's School of Public Health offers students immediate access to internships at the Health Department, Albany Medical College and variety of other public and private health institutions throughout New York State. Students have unique access to study the most profound health issues facing us today: the threat of bioterrorism; the spread of HIV/AIDS and other emerging diseases; the lack of affordable and accessible healthcare for individuals and families; environmental hazards; substance abuse and social violence; maternal mortality in developing countries; the promises and threats of genetic engineering; protecting food and water supplies, research on genetics and genomics and their application to health care, and conducting health outcomes and patient safety research.