November 16, 2001

HSPH’s Center for Health Promotion (CHP) is seeking students to plan, run and evaluate programs, as well as solicit and evaluate program proposals. Students may also work with CHP’s faculty director, Steven Gortmaker, senior lecturer in the Department of Health and Social Behavior, to develop the center and its activities.

CHP offers programs designed to improve the health of the HSPH population. Programs in the past have included stair climbing contests, salsa dances, yoga and muscle-sculpting classes, and lunch-time walks through the Mission Hill community. Programs are planned by students and may be implemented by either students or health professionals, for example certified yoga instructors or massage therapists. The range of programs is limited only by the creativity of program planners and the availability of students to lead them.

"HSPH is dedicated to improving the health of populations through scientific research and health programs," said Kirstin Newby, MPH, ScD ‘01, who is helping Gortmaker find students interested in CHP. "But what of the health of its own population of students, staff, and faculty? While HSPH broadly focuses on the health of the nation and the rest of the world, the Center for Health Promotion is designed to improve the health of the HSPH community, which includes students, staff and faculty."

While at HSPH, Newby, a certified aerobics instructor, taught muscle-sculpting and fitness classes and encouraged other students to lead health programs to serve their fellow community members.

Students working on either programs or administration may be paid for their time following the pay rate guidelines of the Registrar.

Newby has asked that HSPH members interested in developing more programs dedicated to their health at the school, or people with ideas for health programs, contact her at pknewby@hsph.harvard.edu. Also visit http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/chp for more information about the CHP.