PHEAR Strikes at SPH - A New Student Organization Comes Together

Students at the School of Public Health have united in PHEAR.

A new student organization has been formed at the School to increase communication between the six departments. The mission of PHEAR, which stands for Public Health Engaging and Representing, is to unite SPH undergrads and graduate students to create a community of collaboration, networking, mentoring and service.

The first meeting will take place at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 6 in the lecture room (1312). Oh yea, and there's free pizza, too!

PHEAR organizer and graduate student in the Health Services Administration department, Ginelle Jurlano, sat down with The Healthy Turtle to tell us all about it.

Healthy Turtle: So what's the purpose of PHEAR?
Ginelle: It will be a good way for students to meet other students and give back to SPH. We also wanted to be a voice for the students.

HT: Who can join?
G: All students at the SPH are welcome to be part of PHEAR (undergrad, grad, PhD, full-time, part-time, advanced special students).

HT: How often will PHEAR meet?
G: We're aiming to meet a couple of times a semester where we would talk about the activities that we will be having.

HT: How will PHEAR raise funds?
G: We're planning to have fundraisers like a talent show, t-shirt sale, etc. that will pay for organization activities (including service and speakers) as well as scholarships for conferences etc.

HT: What's first on your Things To Do?
G: Our first project will be working with the PRC on a food and clothing drive for the Seat Pleasant Community. Information will be up soon.

For more information contact umdphear@gmail.com.