April 18, 2000

Laura L. Rasar, MPH, CHES

Accreditation Specialist

Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)

800 Eye Street, NW, Suite 202

Washington, DC 20001-3710

Dear Ms. Rasar:

This letter is written in response to the CEPH site visitor report and your letter dated March 15, 2000. New Mexico State University is seeking initial CEPH accreditation for our Master of Public Health in Community Health Education program (initiated in the Fall of 1996). The site visit was held February 7-8, 2000 and the draft report of the site visit team was received with your March 15 letter. According to your letter, you must receive by April 20, 2000 our corrections and written response. These are provided below.

First, please allow me to extend a sincere word of thanks to you and the other site visitors for the professional and productive site visit in February. The time, effort and expertise of the site visitor team was greatly appreciated. Secondly, I would like to extend similar remarks for the written report prepared by the site visitors. This detailed feedback is extremely helpful, particularly for new programs such as ours seeking initial accreditation. We are certainly aware of the number of hours required to prepare such a detailed report. Thank you.

We greatly appreciate the opportunity to respond to the comments and suggestions provided in the site visitor’s written report. Our responses are a combination of clarification, new information, additional information, and one or two substantive disagreements. The self-study document was completed in the Summer of 1999. With a new and rapidly-developing program, there have been several important changes since the self-study was prepared and we may not have been successful in highlighting these changes to the site visitors. Finally, the site visitor’s written report contained several very good suggestions that we have been able to incorporate in the past few weeks.

In keeping with the CEPH accreditation criteria format, the following comments are made beginning with the Introduction and proceeding sequentially with Criterion I. In each case, the page number referenced refers to the site visitor’s draft written report; the italicized text has been abstracted from their report.

The program has yet to establish a formal way to track or obtain feed back from its alumni. It would be beneficial for the program at this early stage of development to capture the enthusiasm of the program’s students, alumni and community members by developing a mechanism by which to formalize their input into program planning and evaluation.

We agree. To date there have been 10 students who have graduated from our program; six of these just graduated last year (1999). This suggestion has been addressed as follows:

1. An "Exit Interview" form has been developed for our MPH students and is available on-line at our web site located at www.nmsu.edu/~hlthdpt. A copy of this form is provided in Attachment A. This is an initial form that we hope can be revised and expanded to provide even more information.
2. This matter has been assigned as one of the charges to the newly created "MPH Oversight Committee." The structure and function of this committee are provided in Attachment B.
3. It is our intent to conduct regular alumni surveys, now that we are beginning to develop a small cohort of alumni.

The commentary from the site visit team lies primarily in three areas. First, the MPH program does not have its own distinct mission. Second, the program has developed objectives only for the instructional goals and for a portion of the service goals. Third and last, the site visitors observed a strong commitment on the part of the program to focus on under-served populations, particularly those residing on the US-Mexico border, but this was not captured in the mission statement.

We agree. These suggestions have been addressed as follows:

1. An MPH program mission statement has been developed and is listed in Attachment C. Further, this mission statement has been posted on-line at our web site located at www.nmsu.edu/~hlthdpt.
2. Program objectives have been clarified to distinguish between instruction, research and service. These are listed in Attachment C. These objectives will be posted on-line at our web site located at www.nmsu.edu/~hlthdpt.
3. The MPH program mission statement now reflects our commitment to focus on under-served populations, particularly those residing on the US-Mexico border. Please see Attachment C.

We agree. These suggestions have been addressed as follows:

1. The organizational chart for the Department of Health Science has been revised to reflect the distinct identity of the program. A copy of this chart is provided in Attachment D.
2. Our web pages have been updated with a link to SOPHE’s current code of ethics located at http://www.sophe.org/AboutSophe/Ethics/Abridged_Version.htm. We are in the process of posting on our web the new combined SOPHE/AAHE code of ethics, which will be reinforced in MPH 500 and in MPH 597 next Fall.

1. The MPH program has developed an initial ethics statement, provided in Attachment E. This statement has also been posted on-line at our web site located at www.nmsu.edu/~hlthdpt.

We agree. These suggestions have been addressed as follows:

1. The Department of Health Science has established an "MPH Oversight Committee." The structure and function of this committee are provided in Attachment B.
2. This newly created MPH Oversight Committee will include a representative from the current MPH students. One function of the committee will be to ensure that MPH students have a role in the decision-making that affects their program. In the interim, meeting minutes will continue to be sent via email to graduate students.

The site visit team was concerned, based on a review of the syllabi and discussion with students, that the curriculum provides a thorough base of knowledge in general public health but provides only minimally adequate specialty knowledge in community health education. In particular, the team noted that the program needs a greater emphasis in management and administration of health education programs. The site team was concerned that certain courses are repetitive or do not address the topic cited in the title. A formalized system of curriculum and individual syllabus review, which also takes into consideration evaluation from students, alumnae and preceptors, would alleviate this problem.

We agree. These suggestions have been addressed as follows:

1. Beginning this Fall, 2000 the faculty in the Department of Health Science will be conducting a course-by-course review of all syllabi for all courses offered by the department. The intent of this review is to ensure that: a) the objectives for each course are current and appropriate, b) any overlap among courses is essential and not duplicative, and c) course objectives match the content of the course.
2. This matter is listed as one of the charge items for the newly-created MPH Oversight Committee.

1. Prior to the site visit team’s arrival, MPH program faculty examined and compared program syllabi to program objectives; revisions to the syllabi were completed to establish more consistency. Further, the appropriate program competencies were added to MPH course syllabi.
2. The site visit team was provided with a copy of these revised syllabi (reference notebook #3, Spring 2000 syllabi), but they admitted to not having time to review them on-site during their visit. In defense of the site visit team, revision of course syllabi was completed after the final copy of the self-study was submitted. In defense of the program, our faculty worked very hard to complete these syllabi revisions before the site visit team arrived.
3. Regarding the issue of learning objectives being specific to health education as opposed to general public health, this is a valid concern that will be reviewed by the MPH Oversight Committee. We will continue to consult the joint AAHE/SOPHE graduate standards for guidance, and we will improve our efforts to include these graduate standards in the MPH 570-series courses (community health education core courses).

The comprehensive examination is currently tailored to individual student interests and needs. Although adequate for student assessment purposes, the faculty may want to consider having at least a portion of the examination be common for all students.

We agree; this is an excellent suggestion. The MPH Oversight Committee will be charged with developing standard questions addressing basic public health knowledge and community health education concepts (with variable questions in the student’s area of interest still at the discretion of the final examination committee).

1. The assigned rating of "This criterion is not met" should be changed due to the following reasons:
2. Part of the site visit team’s assigned rating may have been due in part to a deficiency in the self-study document --- on page 61 it provides a list of "Samples of faculty scholarly productivity over the past three (3) years." Even though our vitas were all listed in the self-study appendix, the site visitors may have made their decision based only on this short list of samples.
3. In Attachment F there is a comprehensive list of scholarly productivity for all current MPH faculty since the program’s inception in the Fall of 1996. This list includes over 50 publications, over 30 research grants and contracts, and over 60 presentations generated by the nine (9) current MPH faculty over the past four (4) years.
4. The primary emphasis of NMSU is on teaching, which is reflected by consistently heavy teaching loads in all departments campus-wide. In the Department of Health Science, faculty are required to teach six (6) courses per year. In addition, they are responsible for advising, serving on thesis committees, supervising student field experiences, supervising independent studies, etc.
5. Despite significant expectations in teaching and service to the university and to the profession, faculty in the MPH program as a whole have made remarkable accomplishments in scholarly productivity as illustrated in Attachment F.
6. While we agree that SoAHEC, BHETC and the GMNE Kellogg grant are under-utilized opportunities for fostering scholarly productivity, the program should not be penalized for this.
7. The College of Health and Social Services recently submitted a proposal to the Paso del Norte Health Foundation requesting funding of up to $1,000 per student project (up to 100 projects) to fund student research. These projects must focus on health promotion efforts. Students in the MPH program would be ideally suited as applicants through this Collaborative Health Promotion Projects Assistance initiative.

However, the site visit team agreed that the department lacks faculty depth in the community health education discipline. The team agreed that, at a minimum, the department would be best served by replacing the vacated health education position with an additional tenure-track health education faculty member before its faculty complement to other disciplines within the public health profession.

We agree.

1. The MPH program is fortunate to have three full-time tenure-line health educators, two of which are CHES certified. We have three additional full-time tenure-line faculty with expertise in environmental/occupational health, epidemiology, and health care administration/management. Three part-time, doctoral-prepared faculty members are regularly utilized for their teaching expertise in statistics, public health, and health education. One of these three is CHES certified. Additional doctoral-prepared community and public health educators/practitioners are available within the community to teach graduate-level courses, advise student thesis research, and supervise student field experiences.
2. We completely agree that at least one additional CHES-certified health education faculty member is needed in a full-time tenure-line position, and we will continue to aggressively pursue this within the budget constraints of the university.

The department should be encouraged to seek tenure-track appointments of faculty who can provide the content, expertise, and cultural perspectives consistent with the program’s mission to provide teaching, service and scholarship relevant to border health issues in the Southwest.

We agree. Job announcements for future tenure-line faculty searches will include a statement to this effect.

The team was concerned that 10 [students] had started but left the program since 1996. Because there is no tracking system in place, there were no data to explain why these students dropped out. It is recommended that exit interviews be conducted with those who formally announce they are leaving the program so that the department can use this information to improve its admission and retention processes.

We agree. A detailed spreadsheet of basic information (student’s name, social security number, entering grade-point-average, psychometric examination scores, gender, race, and previous degrees earned) on all applicants and current students was initiated more than one year ago. The spreadsheet also lists names of alumni, where they are employed, contact information and starting salary. As the program continues to grow this tracking system for all students (including alumni) will continue to evolve as well. I think we are off to a good start, but we do need to improve our tracking of students who leave the program without graduating. An exit interview form has been developed (Attachment A) for graduating students, and will be modified to accommodate students who leave the program prior to completing all degree requirements. This matter has been listed as a charge item for our MPH Oversight Committee.

The team suggests, however, that given the geographic area, the program may wish to consider a focused recruitment effort on Native Americans in the future.

We agree. The MPH Oversight Committee has been charged with the following: "Initiate recruitment efforts to ensure a student enrollment that continues to represent the racial and ethnic diversity of the Southwest, particularly Hispanic and Native Americans." However, since Southern New Mexico has only one major North American tribe (the Mescalero Apache in Ruidoso – 90 miles away) we must admit that our primary focus in on students of Mexican American ethnicity. The MPH program at the University of New Mexico focuses more on the Native American student. This is appropriate since most Native American tribes (Navajo or Dine and the Pueblo tribes) are in Northern and Northwestern New Mexico.

Currently there is no handbook specific to the MPH program that describes its policies and procedures, opportunities for participation in governance, availability of computers and other resources, internship sites and requirements, nor information about its student association.

Over the past two years the department has conducted a major revision and expansion of its web site. The MPH program has its own "leg" in these web pages, and a significant amount of information that is normally included in a student handbook is already on-line. Prospective, newly admitted and even current students are encouraged to consult our web page in all written and verbal correspondence. Our web pages continue to evolve on a daily basis. The site visit team provides (above) some good suggestions for additional information for inclusion. It is our intent to continue utilizing this resource as the most effective method for distributing our electronic version of a student handbook. A hard copy of the MPH program web pages is always available in the department office. Our web site is www.nmsu.edu/~hlthdpt.

As the MPH program grows and the faculty advising load increases, the department may want to consider making its advising system more systematic, including requiring students to meet with the advisors upon admittance to the program, developing a student handbook, expanding student advisement documentation records, and incorporating career counseling information into a graduate seminar course.

We agree. These are excellent suggestions that have been included as a charge item for the MPH Oversight Committee. Immediate attention has been given to the inclusion of career counseling as part of the existing MPH 597 seminar course.

All students interviewed were aware of the opportunity to participate in faculty meetings, but they attended very seldom. While notices of the meetings, as well as minutes, are posted on the listserve for both faculty and students, a more formal and focused effort to get student involvement in MPH operations would enhance the image and effectiveness of the graduate and professional education.

We agree. The newly created MPH Oversight Committee will have as a standing member an MPH student representative.

The Department is also exploring the development of creating a Southwest SOPHE chapter as a student organization, which would include MPH students at its core. Should this effort be successful, a SOPHE student representative would likely be added to some MPH committees.

The team had two major observations regarding program evaluation and planning. First, it is impossible to evaluate a program without very specific, pre-determined measures against which to compare it. Particularly now, while the program is still in its nascent stage, there is a need for a mission and a strategic plan specific to the MPH program. Developing these will establish a starting point for evaluation and future planning. Second, the issues pertaining to the MPH degree cannot be dealt with adequately by addressing solely separate components because this approach prevents focusing on the program as a unit. In the opinion of the site visit team, there should be a committee or group whose charge is to develop and periodically evaluate the MPH program. It should be the mechanism by which all of the separate evaluation components are filtered. The overarching interest of this committee should be to protect the interests of the MPH program.

We agree. This suggestion has been addressed as follows:

1. An MPH program mission statement has been developed and is listed in Attachment C. Further, this mission statement has been posted on-line at our web site located at www.nmsu.edu/~hlthdpt.
2. Per the excellent suggestion of the site visit team, an "MPH Oversight Committee" has been created. The structure and function of this committee are provided in Attachment B.
3. One charge of the committee will be to periodically evaluate the program’s mission statement, goals, objectives and measures, for the purpose of program evaluation and planning.
4. The College of Health and Social Services has just completed its strategic plan for 2000-2005. Once approved by the new College Dean (due to be in place by August 1, 2000), the health science department and all college programs will be expected to address as many of these new college initiatives as possible. The MPH strategic planning effort will begin in the Fall of 2000.

Last, the document was significantly out of date. Often new programs are very dynamic, but the self-study process allows for revisions to be made up until about six weeks prior to the on-site visit. Because this document was already out-of-date, the task of the team was much more intensive in terms of information gathering, rather than evaluation.

The document was not significantly out-of-date. In fact, the document was current as of Summer, 1999 when the self-study process was completed. A tremendous amount of effort was made to provide a self-study that was as up-to-date as reasonably feasible. Our young MPH program is indeed in a dynamic and growing stage, but the statement quoted above seems a bit harsh.

Again, please allow me to thank all of the site visitors for their extensive efforts in providing a detailed review of our program. The self-study process has been extremely constructive. The results of this effort have strengthened our program, which will only provide a better educational opportunity for our students.

Sincerely,

Stephen D. Arnold, Ph.D.

Academic Department Head

Cc: Dean Virginia Higbie

Associate Dean Jeffrey Brandon

MPH Program Faculty

Attachment A: MPH Program – Student Exit Interview Form

Attachment B: MPH Oversight Committee – Structure and Function

Attachment C: Revised Program Mission Statement and Objectives

Attachment D: Organizational Chart

Attachment E: Ethics Statement

Attachment F: Scholarly Productivity Of Current MPH Faculty Since Inception

Posted on-line at www.nmsu.edu/~hlthdpt.

1. PURPOSE

The purpose of this oversight committee is to develop and periodically evaluate the MPH program. This committee is also responsible for MPH admission decisions; curriculum review; development and revision of mission, goals and objectives; program evaluation; program planning; strategic planning; and other issues that affect the MPH program. In addition, this committee is responsible for assuring the relevance of the MPH curriculum, the quality of instruction, the suitability and recruitment of students, the insightfulness of research, and the adequacy of resources.

2. STRUCTURE

Committee Chair: MPH Program Coordinator

Committee Members: Two or three MPH program faculty, one alumni representative, one MPH student representative, and one community representative.

Ad Hoc Members: Department of Health Science Curriculum Committee Chair

3. INITIAL CHARGE

1. Establish a formal mechanism to track and obtain feedback from MPH students, alumni and community members.
2. Ensure that the MPH program maintains an identity that is separate and distinct from the other programs in the department.
3. Develop criteria by which the committee can determine if the MPH program is fulfilling its mission statement.
4. Ensure that MPH students have a role in the decision-making that affects their program
5. Develop a formalized system of curriculum and individual syllabus review, which also takes into consideration evaluation from students, alumni and preceptors. Ensure that the curriculum provides a balance between public health, community health education, and management and administration of health education programs. Ensure that any overlap among core MPH courses is essential, not redundant.
6. Ensure that program and course learning objectives provide appropriate emphasis to community health education preparation, and not just to general public health.
7. Develop standard questions for MPH final examinations that address basic public health knowledge and community health education concepts (with variable questions in the student’s area of interest still at the discretion of the final examination committee).
8. Ensure that exit interviews are completed with those who leave the program (either by graduation or other).
9. Continue to maintain and further expand a detailed record of those students who apply, enter, and exit the program.
10. Initiate recruitment efforts to ensure a student enrollment that continues to represent the racial and ethnic diversity of the Southwest, particularly Hispanic and Native Americans.
11. Ensure that MPH Program web pages are expanded to include information specific to the MPH program that describes its policies and procedures, opportunities for participation in governance, availability of computers and other resources, internship sites and requirements, and information about the MPHSO student association
12. Consider making the advising system more systematic, including requiring students to meet with advisors upon admittance to the program, expanding student advisement documentation records, and incorporating career counseling information into a graduate seminar course.

The mission of the Department of Health Science is: "To preserve and enhance the health of the public and prevent illness and injury through education, research and service programs."

Education - The primary responsibility of the Department of Health Science is to provide quality education in the areas of public health at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Research - The Department of Health Science supports the advancement of knowledge and enrichment of its academic programs through research and other creative endeavors. Please see Criterion VI for a description of the department's philosophy on research.

Public Service - The Department of Health Science provides public service that advances the profession and meets the education and health needs of people of New Mexico and beyond.

"Because we teach in the U.S. Mexico Border area, where around 30 percent of the population are poor and 28 percent have no access to health care, and

Because we know that every life has equal value, and

Because we are dedicated to excellence in the practice of promoting individual, family, organizational, and community health,

We state our ethical responsibilities as follows:

Our responsibility, through our students is to educate people for the purpose of promoting, maintaining, and improving individual, family and community health, which will, in turn make people more productive and improve their economic status.

Our responsibility to our students is to teach them that they are responsible for their professional behavior, for the reputation of their profession, and for promoting ethical conduct among their colleagues.

Our responsibility to our students is to teach them the boundaries of their limitations, that they are to recognize their professional competence and be accountable for it.

Our responsibility to our students is to teach them to promote integrity in the delivery of health education, respecting the autonomy of all people, especially the vulnerable, and recognizing the opportunities to advocate for justice.

Our responsibility to our students is to teach them to promote integrity in scientific investigation and evaluation.

Our responsibility to our students is to treat them with respect and dignity and to provide quality education that benefits the profession and the public."

Posted on-line at www.nmsu.edu/~hlthdpt.

Current MPH faculty are:

Arnold, Stephen

Brandon, Jeffrey

Buckingham, Robert

Escobedo, Luis

Krishnan, Satya

Meister, Edward

Mondragon, Delfi

Velarde, Lily

Vilchis, Hugo

Arnold, S.D. and E. Meister: Dairy Feedlot Contributions to Groundwater Contamination: A Preliminary Study in New Mexico. Journal of Environmental Health. September, 1999.

Arnold, S.D.: Dairy Herds and Rural Communities in Southern New Mexico. Journal of Environmental Health. July/August, 1999.

Arnold, S.D.: Industrial Hygiene Laboratory Manual. National Environmental Health Association, Denver, CO, 1997. (90 pages)

Brandon, J.E. (1997). Foreword to A Problem Based Learning Special Issue. Journal of Community & Family Health. 20(1), viii-ix.

Brandon, J.E. (1997). Foreword to A Community Health Interventions Special issue. Journal of Community & Family Health. 20(3), viii

Brandon, J.E. (1997). Health promotion efforts along the U.S.-Mexico border. IN: Bruhn, J.G., & Brandon, J.E. (eds). Border Health: Challenges to the United States and Mexico. Garland Reference Library of Social Sciences, Vol. 909, New York: Garland Press, 163-180.

Brandon, J.E., & Majumdar, B.(1997). An introduction and evaluation of problem-based learning in health professions education. Journal of Community & Family Health. 20(1), 1-15.

Brandon, J.E., Crespin, F., Levy, C., & Reyna, D.M. (1997). Border health issues, IN: Bruhn, J.G., & Brandon, J.E. (Eds). Border Health: Challenges to the United States and Mexico. Garland Reference Library of Social Sciences, Vol. 909, New York: Garland Press, 37-72.

Bruhn, J.G. & Brandon, J.E. (Eds). (1997). Border Health: Challenges to the United States and Mexico. Garland Reference Library of Social Sciences, Vol. 909, New York: Garland Press, 1-215.

Buckingham, R.W. Handbook of International Health. Allyn & Bacon. To be published Fall 2000 or Spring 2001.

Buckingham, R.W. I’m Pregnant, Now What Do I Do? Prometheus Books, Buffalo, NY (1997)

Buckingham, R.W. The Hospice Care Handbook . Prometheus Books, Buffalo, NY (1996)

Buckingham, RW, & Meister E (2000). Hospice care for the child with AIDS. (Accept for publication, date pending). The Social Science Journal

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Malircher A, Sharp D, Escobedo L.G., Derrick S, Chang M, Eriksen M, Pirkle J, Ashley D, Mannino D, Huang P, Hewman M) Recall of Phillip Morris Cigarettes, May 1995-March 1996. MMWR 1996;45:251-254.

Dow y Garcia Velarde, L.A., Starling, R., Wallerstein, N.B. Identity and Early Adolescents via Social Change Activities. In Understanding the Self of the Early Adolescent. (Eds.) Brinthaupt, T.M. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press. To be published.

El-Bassel, N., Krishnan, S., Schilling, R., Witte, S., & Gilbert, L. Acceptability of the female condom among female and male STD patients. AIDS Education and Prevention, 10(5), September/October 1998.

El-Bassel., Krishnan, S., Witte, S., Schilling, R., Catan, V., Pollin, S. Correlates of intention to use the female condom among women taking methadone. Women’s Health Issues, 8(2): 112-122, 1998.

Escobedo L.G. Ashes to Ashes: America’s Hundred-Year Cigarette War, the Public Health, and the Unabashed Triumph of Philip Morris (Book Review). New Engl. J Medicine 1996;335:981.

Escobedo L.G., Caspersen CJ. Risks Factors for Sudden Coronary Death: A National Perspective. Epidemiology 1997;8:175-180.

Escobedo L.G., Giles WG, Anda RF. Socioeconomic status, race, and Death from Coronary Heart Disease. Am J Preventive Medicine. 1997;13:123-130.

Escobedo L.G., Kirch DG, Anda RF. Depressed Mood, Major Depression and Cigarette Smoking Initiation Among Latinos. Addiction; 1996;9:113-119.

Escobedo L.G., Peddicord JP. Long-term trends in cigarette smoking among young US adults. Addictive Behaviors 1997;22:427-430.

Escobedo L.G., Peddicord JP. Smoking Prevalence in US Birth Cohorts. Am J Public Health 1996;86:231-6.

Escobedo L.G., Reddy M, DuRant R. The Relationship Between Cigarette Smoking and Risk Behaviors Among US Adolescents. Arch of Pediatrics and Adol Medicine 1997;151:66-71.

Escobedo L.G., Reddy M, Giovino GA. The Relationship Between Depressive Symptoms and Cigarette Smoking In U.S. Adolescents. Addiction 1998;93:433-440. US DHHS (Major contributor and reviewer). Tobacco Use Among US Racial/Ethnic Minority Groups; A Report of the Surgeon General (1998).

Escobedo L.G., Reddy M, Giovino GA. The Relationship Between Depression and Cigarette Smoking In U.S. Adolescents. Addiction 1998; 93:433-440.

Escobedo L.G., Zack MM. Comparing Sudden with Non-sudden Coronary Heart Disease Deaths in the United States. Circulation 1996;93:2033-2036.

Faulkner D, Escobedo L.G., Zhu BP, Chrismon J. Race and the incidence of cigarette smoking among adolescents in the United States. J Nat Cancer Institute; 1996;88:1158-1160.

Giovino GA, Tomar SL, Reddy MN, Peddicord JP, Zhu BP, Escobedo L.G., Eriksen MP. Attitudes, knowledge, and beliefs about low-yield cigarettes among adolescents and young adults. In: Smoking and Tobacco Control Monograph No. 7. National Cancer Institute, 1996, pp. 39-57. NIH Publication No. 96-4167.

Gougelet, R.M., Dow, L.A., Wallerstein, N.B. Adolescent Social Action Program (ASAP). In Case Studies in Emergency Medicine and the Health of the Public Jones & Bartlett Pub. Inc. Sudbury, MA. 1996

Helitzer, D., Yoon, S.J., Dow y Garcia Velarde, L., & Wallerstein, N.B. Process Evaluation of Adolescent Health Promotion Program. To be submitted to Journal of School Health. 1999

Krishnan, S & Hilbert, J. In search of sanctuary: Addressing issues of domestic violence and homelessness at shelters. Women’s Health Issues, 8(5), 1998.

Krishnan, S. (1996). Health Education at Family Planning Clinics. Strategies for Improving Information about Contraception and Sexually Transmitted Diseases for Low Income Women. Health Communication, 8(4): 353-366.

Krishnan, S., Durrah, T., & Winkler, K. (1997). Coverage of AIDS in popular African American magazines. Health Communication, 9(3): 273-288.

Krishnan, S., Hilbert, J., VanLeeuwen, D; Kolia, R. (1997). Documenting domestic violence in rural communities. Family & Community Health, 20(3): 32-48.

Mondragón, D., "Hispanics in the Southwest U.S.", Chapter in Mondragón, D., Editor, Religious Values of the Terminally Ill: A Handbook for Healthcare Professionals, Fordham University Press, Bronx, NY, published June 1997.

Mondragón, D., Editor, Religious Values of the Terminally Ill: A Handbook for Healthcare Professionals, Fordham University Press, Bronx, NY, published June 1997.

Mondragón, D., Barnes, M., Brandon, J., "Who Teaches Patients in Managed Care? Preliminary Results," The American Journal of Health Behavior, Under Review.

Mueller, E. Mondragón, D., "Ethical Implications of Type I, Type II Error in Patient Competency Assessment," December 1996, Nebraska Medical Journal.

Wallerstein, N.R., Sanchez-Merki,V. & Dow, L.A. Freirian Praxis: A Case Study of the Adolescent Social Action Project. In Community Organizing. (Ed) Minkler, M. NJ: Rutgers. University Press. 1997

Zhu, BaoPing, Escobedo L.G, Giovino G, Eriksen M. Cigarette Smoking Among Asian American and Pacific Islanders (letter). J Nat Cancer Institute; May, 1996.

Alba, S., Mondragón, D., "Adolescent Pregnancy: A Cost Approach," in Las Cruces Bulletin, November 21, 1996.

Arnold, S.D.: What is the Future of Environmental Health? Illinois Environmental Health Association (IEHA) News. Volume XXIV, No.3, May/Aug, 1997.

Dow, L., Editor. Peacemaker: Violence Prevention Newsletter. New Mexico Dept. Of Health. 1995-97.

Ethridge, B., Mondragón, D., "Medicaid’s Role in New Mexico Managed Care," Las Cruces Sun News, August 21, 1997.

Mondragón, D., El libro, Religious Values of the Terminally Ill, in Amigos: Cada Cabeza is un Mundo, Vol. VIII, No. 11, Aspectos Culturales, Santa Fe, Winter 1997-98, pp. 4-6.

Arnold, S. and D.T. Smith (1998). "Border Health Education Training Center." UNM School of Medicine. $69,637 received. (flow-through funds from DHHS/HRSA/PHS AHEC Program office).

Arnold, S. and D.T. Smith (1998). "Border Health Education Training Center." UNM School of Medicine. $69,637 received. (flow-through funds from DHHS/HRSA/PHS AHEC Program office).

Arnold, S. and D.T. Smith (1998). "Federal Model State-Supported AHEC Program." UNM School of Medicine. $65,000 received. (flow-through funds from DHHS/HRSA/PHS AHEC Program office).

Arnold, S. and D.T. Smith (1999). "Border Health Education Training Center." UNM School of Medicine. $75,000 received. (flow-through funds from DHHS/HRSA/PHS AHEC Program office).

Arnold, S. and D.T. Smith (1999). "Federal Model State-Supported AHEC Program." UNM School of Medicine. $80,000 received. (flow-through funds from DHHS/HRSA/PHS AHEC Program office).

Arnold, S. and D.T. Smith (1999). "New Mexico State AHEC Subcontract." UNM School of Medicine. $85,000 received. (flow-through funds from DHHS/HRSA/PHS AHEC Program office).

Brandon, J.E. (1996-1998) "So. NM Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Cooperative Agreement"--funded through subcontract with University of New Mexico School of Medicine (flow-through funds from DHHS/HRSA/PHS AHEC Program office). ($133,871 received)

Brandon, J.E. (1996-1998) "So. NM Border Health Education Training Center (BHETC) Cooperative Agreement"--Original & Continuation Proposals" funded thr ough subcontract with University of New Mexico School of Medicine (flow-through funds from DHHS/HRSA/PHS HETC/AHEC Program office). ($186,603 received).

Brandon, J.E. and Mondragon, D.: (1996-1999) "Allied Health Careers Opportunity Program", US DHHS/PHS/Bureau of Health Professions, Division of Disadvantaged Students. ($530,000 received).

Krishnan, S.P. (1998-2000) NIJ Grant: This research will examine the use of formal support systems (courts, law enforcement, and domestic violence shelters) by women in abusive intimate relationships for a period of one year. Funding in the amount of $152,506.00 has been awarded for 2 years (1998-2000) to conduct this research for the next two years. I am the Principal Investigator (PI) on this grant on which Dr. Judith Hilbert, Department of Social Work is my collaborator.

Ortiz, S; Vilchis-Licon, H. et al. Binational Health Information and Education Network. Project funded with $10,000 by El Paso del Norte Health Foundation (10/99) and $204,000 by National Library of Medicine (2/00).

Velarde, L.D. (1997) Minority Supplemental Grant. National Institute of Health/National Institute of Alcohol, Addictions, & Abuse. Amount: $32, 921.

Arias, J.; Vilchis-Licon, H.; Hart, Rebecca. Pediatric blood lead levels in the Chihuahua Border Region. (1-2/99).

Arnold, S. (1999). "Border Health Office WIC 1999." State of New Mexico Department of Health. $214,272 received.

Arnold, S.D. (1998). "Dairy Herds and Rural Communities in Southern New Mexico." State grant awarded by the New Mexico Border Health Office, District III, Public Health Division, Las Cruces, NM ($12,500 received).

Arnold, S.D.: Comprehensive air sampling survey (dust, oil mist, organics) and noise exposure survey. American NTN Bearing Company, Elgin, IL. November, 1997. $3,730.

Arnold, S.D.: Comprehensive air sampling survey (dust, oil mist, organics). American NTN Bearing Company, Elgin, IL. October, 1997. $3,026.

Arnold, S.D.: Comprehensive air sampling survey (dust, oil mist, organics). American NTN Bearing Company, Elgin, IL. April, 1997. $2,514.

Arnold, S.D.: Evaluation of employee noise exposure. APL Engineered Materials, Urbana, IL. 1996. $1564.

Arnold, S.D.: Evaluation of new personal protective equipment product. Safety-Tech Communications, Inc., Champaign, IL. 1996. $500.

Arnold, S.D.: Noise sampling survey. Roughhouse Company, Bloomington, IL. 1997. $1,012

Arnold, S.D.: Provided expert opinion on occupational exposure to paints. Calwell McCormick, Charleston, West Virginia. January, 1998. $500.

Arnold, S.D.: Provided expert opinion on occupational exposure to ribavirin aerosol. Lapuyade Law Firm, Denver, CO. 1997. $945.

Brandon, J.E. (1996-1998) "So. NM Area Health Education Center (AHEC) State Cooperative Agreement"--Original & Continuation Proposals" funded through subcontract with University of New Mexico School of Medicine (flow-through funds through New Mexico legislature). ($144,514 received).

Brandon, J.E. (1996-1999) "Proposal to Support the NM Border Health Office", funded by the New Mexico Department of Health. ($635,453 received).

Hart, Rebecca; Vilchis-Licon, H.; Landen, M.; Esteban, E. Pediatric blood lead levels in the Luna and Grant counties, New Mexico. (1-2/99)

Simons, V., S. Arnold, et al. (1998). "Community-Based Solutions to Illegal Dumping." Competitive federal grant submitted to the U.S. Environmental protection Agency ($7,000 received).

Simons, V., S. Arnold, K. Richards (1999). "The effect of residential proximity to dairy herds on acute respiratory and gastrointestinal illness in children." Competitive private grant submitted to Paseo del Norte ($48,000 received).

Vilchis-Licon, H. Analysis of the Emergency Medical Services of Columbus, NM (on going).

Vilchis-Licon, H. Estimation of Migrant Farmworker Population in Dona Ana County (on going).

Vilchis-Licon, H. Estimation of Vaccination Missing Opportunities rate in Dona Ana County Health Clinics (on going).

Vilchis-Licon, H. Orozco G. Estimation of STD's incidence among prostitutes of Palomas, Chihuahua, Mexico (on going).

Vilchis-Licon, H. Study of STD's among NMSU students (on going).

Barnes, M., Mondragón, D., Brandon, J., Neiger, B., "Assessing the Role and Cost/ Effectiveness of Certified Health Education Specialists in Managed Care Organizations," Managed Care Health Promotion Sessions, American Public Health Association Convention, Washington, DC, November 17, 1998.

Brandon, J.E.: "How Guidelines Have Helped Professional Programs", Co-Presenter with Dr. Kathy Miner of Emory University. Presented at the National Congress for Institutions Preparing Graduate Health Educators, Dallas, TX, February 10, 1996.

Brandon, J.E.: "Undergraduate Health Education Program Accreditation: The SOPHE/AAHE Baccalaureate Program Approval Committee", co-presented with Hawkins, M., Cissell, W., Kittleson, M., Weingert, D. At the National Society for Public Health Education Annual Convention, Indianapolis, IN, November 8, 1997.

Brandon, J.E: "Assessing the role and cost-effectiveness of certified health education specialists in managed care organizations", co-presented with Barnes, M., D. Mondragon & B Neiger. Accepted for presentation at Public Health Education & Health Promotion Section of the American Public Health Association annual convention, November 17, 1998 in Washington, D.C.

Buckingham, R.W. Hospice in the 21^st Century. (Keynote Speaker) October 22-26, 1998. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC

Buckingham, R.W. Hospice in the 21^st Century. (Keynote Speaker) March 17-19, 1998. Mexico City, Mexico

Buckingham, R.W. Physician Assisted Suicide in the Hospice Setting (Lecture) November 24, 1998. University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ

Buckingham, R.W. Future of Hospice in America for the 21^st Century. (Lecture) May 5-7, 1999. University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN.

Buckingham, R.W. Hospice Care for the Imprisoned Terminally Ill. (Lecture) October 21-22, 1999. University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC.

Buckingham, R.W. Hospice Care in the 21^st Century: New Practices and Problems. Nov. 10-16, 1999. San Francisco, CA.

Buckingham, R.W. Hospice of the Valley. (Lecture) March 25-26, 1999. University of Arizona, Hospice of the Valley. Tucson, AZ and Phoenix, AZ

Hilbert, J., & Krishnan, S. Substance abuse, suicide, and domestic violence: Addressing mental health needs through shelter based services. An oral presentation at the American Public Health Association (APHA) meeting, Indianapolis, November 1997.

Hilbert, J., Krishnan, S., McNeil K., & Newman, I. Respite or Transition? Results from a Q-factor analysis study at a domestic violence shelter. An oral presentation at the upcoming American Public Health Association (APHA) meeting in Washington DC, November 1998.

Krishnan, S., & Hilbert, J. Domestic violence among ethnically diverse rural populations. An oral presentation at the American Public Health Association (APHA) meeting, Indianapolis, November 1997.

Krishnan, S., & Hilbert, J. In search of sanctuary: Addressing the issues of homelessness and domestic violence. An oral presentation at the American Public Health Association (APHA) meeting, Indianapolis, November 1997.

Krishnan, S., El-Bassel., N, Witte., S, Schilling., R, Gaeta., T, Delgado, P. Coupon redemption for female condoms: Results from an emergency room study. A poster presentation at the American Public Health Association (APHA) meeting, Indianapolis, November 1997.

Krishnan, S., Hilbert, J., & VanLeeuwen, D. Domestic violence among Hispanics: Implications for services in rural communities. An oral presentation at the upcoming American Public Health Association (APHA) meeting in Washington DC, November 1998.

Krishnan, S., Hilbert, J., Pase, M., & Hoffman, R. Domestic violence and battered women: Use of hospital emergency rooms in rural communities. An oral presentation at the upcoming American Public Health Association (APHA) meeting in Washington DC, November 1998.

Meister, E.A.: Health promotion in the USA. Shanghai Medical School, School of Public Health, Shanghai, China (1998).

Mondragón, D., Division of Minority Health, Nebraska Department of Health, Annual Minority Health Conference, Invited Keynote speaker, The Health of the Poor: Retributive Justice, Lincoln, NE, October 21, 1998.

Mondragón, D., Nebraska Humanities Council: Hospital Ethics Committee Workshop, "Respect in the Mosaic: Supporting Patients of Many Faiths." Awarded 1996.

Pase, M., Hoffman, R., Hilbert, J., Krishnan, S. Battered women’s perceptions of ED nurses’ roles in a Southwest hospital. A poster presentation at the annual Western Institute of Nursing conference in Phoenix, AZ, May 1998.

Vilchis, H.L. Surveillance alert system among Chihuahua-New Mexico-Texas. 56th US-Mexico Border Health Association Annual Meeting. Monterrey, Nuevo León. 6/1998.

Vilchis, H.L. Age-adjusted mortality rates. Binational Mortality Data Analysis Workshop. Pan American Health Organization-National Center for Health Statistics (CDC). Piedras Negras, Coahuila. 8/1997.

Vilchis, H.L. Age-adjusted mortality rates. Binational Mortality Data Analysis Workshop. Pan American Health Organization-National Center for Health Statistics (CDC). Nogales, Sonora 7/1997.

Vilchis, H.L. Binational Border Health Information System in Chihuahua-New Mexico-Texas. Interagency Coordination Committee Annual Meeting. EPA, CDC, HRSA, NHIOS, DHHS. Phoenix, AZ. 6/1997

Vilchis, H.L. La salud en el entorno de la frontera norte de Mexico, de cara al tercer milenio. 3rd Medical Anthropology and Traditional Medicine Meeting of Northern Mexico. Mexican National Institute of Anthropology and History. 10/1997.

Vilchis, H.L. The successful Binational Health Information System of Chihuahua-New Mexico-Texas. Projects that work!. UT System. South Padre Island, TX. 10/1998

Vilchis-Licon, H., Reyna, D.M, Notzon, F., Villas, P., Ortega, L., Dutton, R.J.: "Binational Healthy Gente 2010 Health Objectives." Partnerships for Health in the New Millennium Conference. Washington, DC. January 24-28, 2000.

Arnold, S.D.: " Dairy Herds and Rural Communities in Southern New Mexico." Paper presented at a 30-minute talk at the New Mexico Public Health Association Annual Conference, Ruidoso, NM. 1999.

Arnold, S.D.: Assisted with the instruction of a 1-day OSHA 10-hour training course, presented at Illinois State University. April, 1997.

Arnold, S.D.: Panelist for roundtable discussion: A Multidisciplinary View of the Endangered Species Act. Presented at Illinois State University, College of Arts and Sciences, Science and Society series. October, 1997.

Hilbert, J., & Krishnan, S. Understanding the dynamics of cultural differences in help-seeking behaviors of rural battered women. An oral presentation at the 16^th Annual BPD Conference, Albuquerque, NM, October 1998.

Hilbert, J., Krishnan, S., & Kolia, R. Creating a meaningful research learning experience for BSW students. An oral presentation at the 16^th Annual BPD Conference, Albuquerque, NM, October 1998.

Krishnan, S & Hilbert, J. Building communities through research: Solutions to domestic violence. An invited presentation at New Mexico State University, October 1998.

Krishnan, S. An invited presentation to the Pastoral care team at Memorial Medical Center Hospital and conducted a discussion on how to develop a collaborative community based prevention and education program for women in abusive intimate relationships. August 1998.

Krishnan, S. Battered women and use of hospital emergency rooms in rural communities. An invited presentation at Memorial Medical Center, Las Cruces, NM, November 1998.

Krishnan, S. The whole person concept: Developing a healthy lifestyle. An invited presentation to the Las Cruces Press Women, October 1998.

Krishnan, S., & Hilbert J. Respite or transition? The use of domestic violence shelters by rural women. An oral presentation at the conference "Women-Matter: Lives, conditions, cultures" organized by the Women’s Studies Department, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, March 1998.

Krishnan, S., & Hilbert, J. An oral presentation and panel discussion at the 2-day workshop on "Handling sexual abuse cases: Investigation and prosecution of child sexual abuse cases and stalking," Las Cruces, NM, March 1998.

Krishnan, S., & Hilbert, J. Battered women and use of hospital emergency rooms. An oral presentation at the New Mexico Public Health meeting in Albuquerque, NM, May 1998.

Krishnan, S., & Hilbert, J. Domestic violence and families. A presentation made to the Las Cruces, NM to the counselors in the Las Cruces school district, January 1998. Invited Speaker.

Meister, E.A.: 1996 Graduate Congress, Oregon State University. Topic: Aircraft noise stress and human health.

Mondragón, D., Association of Hospices, "Religious and Cultural Values of Terminally-Ill Hispanics in the Southwest," St. Paul's Church, Las Cruces, New Mexico, April 1998.

Mondragón, D., College of Health and Social Services, Who Teaches Patients in Managed Care, October 1997.

Mondragón, D., New Mexico Public Health Association, The Ethics of Managed Care, Albuquerque, New Mexico, May 7-8, 1998.

Mondragón, D., Sigma Theta Tau, International Honorary Nursing Society, New Mexico State University Chapter, Who Teaches in Managed Care? Preliminary Results, Memorial Medical Center, April 1997.

Mondragón, D., Southwest College Health Association, to present "Ethics Analysis of the Use of RU-486," Annual Convention, Las Cruces, New Mexico, October 28-31,1999.

Velarde, L.D. Cloudcroft, New Mexico. Evaluation Methods & Reporting. January 5-7, 2000.

Velarde, L.D. Judge, 2000 Regional Science and Engineering Fair. NMSU, Las Cruces, New Mexico. March 18, 2000.

Velarde, L.D. Las Cruces High School. Preparing for the ACT: Stress Management Techniques. Jan. 31, 2000.

Velarde, L.D. Proposal Reviewer, New Mexico Department of Health, Tobacco ASSIST Proposal Review Workshop, Ruidoso, NM. New Mexico Department of Health, Tobacco ASSIST Project. March 31, 2000.

Vilchis, H.L. New Mexico Data Infrastructure Demonstration Project. US-Mexico Border Data project meeting. Human Resources and Services Administration-Center for Health Policies Studies-National Center for Farmworker Health, Inc.. El Paso, TX 12/1997.

Vilchis, H.L. Age-adjusted mortality rates. Binational Mortality Data Analysis Workshop. Pan American Health Organization-National Center for Health Statistics (CDC). El Paso, Texas. 7/1997.

Vilchis, H.L. El proyecto binacional de vacunación Nuestros Niños. Reunión Binacional Mexicano-Estadounidense del Programa de Vacunación Universal. Mexican Secretariat of Health. Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua. 1/96.

Vilchis, H.L. Epi-Fax, a health communication system. US-Mexico Border Health Data Infrastructure Forum. Human Resources and Services Administration-Center for Health Policies Studies-National Center for Farmworker Health, Inc. Las Cruces, NM. 5/1996.

Vilchis, H.L. Focusing on teen pregnancy, drug use and other critical issues facing youth: A U.S.-Mexico Perspective. Sister Cities Vision 2000 International Meeting. Las Cruces, NM. 2/1999.

Vilchis, H.L. Infectious Diseases, profile and perspectives of the U.S.-Mexico border. Unidos Conference 1998. New Mexico Department of Health, District III. 11/1998.

Vilchis, H.L. New Mexico border core data. 17th Annual U.S.-Mexico Border Epidemiology Meeting. Pan American Health Organization. Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua. 3/1997.

Vilchis, H.L. Nuestros Niños Immunization Project. Unidos Conference ’96. New Mexico Department of Health, District III. 11/1996.

Vilchis, H.L. Preliminary Results of the Pediatric Blood Lead Screening Project on the Chihuahua-New Mexico Border. Palomas-Columbus/Luna County Binational Health Council. Deming, NM. 3/1999.

Vilchis, H.L. Prevención del embarazo en adolescentes de Nuevo México. Mexico Secretariat of Health. Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua. 7/1997.

Vilchis, H.L. Project Espejo. Unidos Conference ’96. New Mexico Department of Health, District III. 11/1996.

Vilchis, H.L. Rabies Profile in New Mexico. Binational Rabies Meeting. Mexico Secretariat of health and Pan American Health Organization. Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua. 7/1997.

Vilchis, H.L. Salud enfermedad a finales del Siglo XX. Comments. 3td Medical Anthropology and Traditional Medicine Meeting of Northern Mexico. Mexican National Institute of Anthropology and History. 10/1997.

Vilchis, H.L. STD’s in New Mexico-Chihuahua border. 55th US-Mexico Border Health Association Annual Meeting. Phoenix, AZ. 6/1997.

Vilchis, H.L. Success on the Border! A binational health experience. New Mexico Public health Association Meeting. Ruidoso, NM. 4/1999.

Vilchis, H.L. The Binational Health Information System of Chihuahua-New Mexico-Texas. HRSA-CHPS U.S.-Mexico Border Demonstration Projects Evaluation Meeting. El Paso, Texas. 2/1999.

Vilchis, H.L. The Binational Health Information System of Chihuahua-New Mexico-Texas. Mechanisms for it’s replication in Texas-Tamaulipas border region. Binational Technical Meeting. Brownsville, Texas. 1/1999.

Vilchis, H.L. The communication system in NM Department of Health. Binational System of Electronic Communication in health Meeting. Pan American Health organization. El Paso, TX. 12/1997..

Vilchis, H.L. The Mexican Surveillance System. US-Mexico Epidemiology Meeting. CDC Quarantine Division. Albuquerque, NM. 7/98.

Vilchis, H.L. The Pediatric Blood Lead Screening Project. Binational Technical Working Group on Health of Chihuahua-New Mexico-Texas. Las Cruces, NM. 11/1998.

Vilchis, H.L. Viral Meningitis in El Paso, Texas. Community Association of Practitioners in Infection Control. 10/1997.

Vilchis-Licon, H. "Tuberculosis in New Mexico." World Tuberculosis Day Celebration. El Paso, TX. March 24, 2000.

Vilchis-Licon, H. and Hart, R.: "Results of the Pediatric Blood Lead Screening Project on the Chihuahua-New Mexico Border." Peer-reviewed paper presented at the US-Mexico Border Health Association annual meeting. San Antonio, TX, 6/1999.

Vilchis-Licon, H., Lee, N., and Brey, C. "The Border Health Information and Education Network: from concept to implementation." X. Transborder Library Forum, Beyond Our Borders: Interconnections. Albuquerque, NM. March 23-25, 2000.

Vilchis-Licon, H., Lee, N., and Brey, C. "The Border Health Information and Education Network: from concept to implementation." The Border Regional Library Association Meeting. Cd. Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. 9/1999.