The Department of Public Health Sciences announced two town hall meetings on the department's proposal to establish the Graduate Group in Public Health Leadership and Practice.

Also, the Retiree Center has put together two talks for Older Americans Month — talks that are not limited to retirees — and the Health Awareness Brown Bag Series will close out 2009-10 with a program on elder care.

Public Health Sciences

The department is asking for public input as the graduate group proposal starts to take shape.

Toward that end, the department has organized a pair of town hall meetings, one on the Davis campus and one on the Sacramento campus. Both are open to the public.

The department hopes to hear from all interested people, with and without UC Davis affiliation, especially from health department personnel, and public health leaders, practitioners and researchers.

In particular, the department of Public health Sciences is seeking input on the following questions:

• What do you see people doing in the future, as public health leaders and practitioners?

• What do they need to know (core competencies)?

• What do we need to provide, what should be the characteristics of the program to make these students successful (e.g., classes not every day, distance learning, meaningful placements)?

The meetings, each from 5 to 7 p.m.:

• May 19 — Courtyard by Marriott, 4422 Y St., Sacramento.

• June 1 — Auditorium, Genome and Medical Sciences Building, Davis campus.

Anyone planning to attend is asked to send an RSVP by e-mail to ggph@phs.ucdavis.edu with “RSVP YES Sacramento Town Hall” or “RSVP YES Davis Town Hall” in the subject line. RSVPs are not required, but will be much appreciated, organizers said.

Comments on the graduate group proposal also are welcome by e-mail: ggph@phs.ucdavis.edu.

Retiree Center

In observance of Older Americans Month, the Retiree Center announced a pair of noontime talks, one by an assistant professor who specializes in geriatric care and the other by a 100-year-old health care professional who reminds that getting old does not mean getting sick.

The talks complement the 2010 Older Americans Month theme: ““Age Strong! Live Long!”

“Whether you are concerned about your own health in the years ahead, or you are caring for an aging loved one, these programs will provide important information,” said Sue Barnes, program manager at the Retiree Center.

The center serves the Davis and Sacramento campuses, and each campus will host one of the talks. Both are scheduled from noon to 1 p.m., and both are free and open to the public, young and "older" alike.

The speakers and their topics:

• Huey Lin — “An Ounce of Prevention: Recommendations for Healthy Aging.” May 18, auditorium, UC Davis Cancer Center, 4501 X St., Sacramento.

Organizers said Lin’s talk will include a discussion of the latest recommendations for the older adult, in terms of recommendations for health screenings and immunizations, with particular emphasis on the research done to support the guidelines for cancer and osteoporosis screening.

Lin’s professional interests include teaching medical students and residents in geriatric care, delivery of health care in long-term care facilities, and fall and injury prevention in the elderly.

• Herbert Bauer — “Harmless Aging.” May 21, Cabernet Room, Silo, Davis campus. Everyone gets older, but you don’t have to get “old.” In this talk, a centenarian shares his ideas for maintaining good health as you age.

The speaker, a former Yolo County public health officer and psychiatrist, initiated the Yolo Family Service Agency, and he joined in organizing Suicide Prevention and Crisis Services of Yolo County. He taught in the UC Davis Department of Community Health and the UC Davis Health System, and at the King Hall School of Law.

More information, including driving and parking directions.

Questions should be directed to the Retiree Center at (530) 752-5182 or retireecenter@ucdavis.edu.

Health Awareness Brown Bag Series

"Caring for Life's Important Elders" is the topic for the last Health Awareness Brown Bag of 2009-10.

Organizers said Maria Tebbutt will discuss campus, community and national resources that are available to help you in caring for your elders — while maintaining your own quality of life at the same time.

The free talk is scheduled from noon to 1 p.m. in the Cabernet Room at the Silo. No preregistration needed.

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