Annual Public Health Symposium Set for Sept. 29 at Thad Cochran Center

Topics ranging from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in children to long-term impacts of the Gulf oil spill will be discussed during the 5^th Annual Public Health Symposium set for Wednesday, Sept. 29 at The University of Southern Mississippi.

The free symposium will begin at 8:15 a.m. in the third floor ballroom of the Thad Cochran Center with registration and sign-in. The event should conclude about 4 p.m.

The Department of Community Health Sciences at Southern Miss is hosting the symposium which brings together leading experts to present the most contemporary information on critical health issues affecting Mississippi and its residents.

“The symposium is very strong this year with an impressive list of presenters,” said Dr. James McGuire, chair of the Department of Community Health Sciences. “The topics are of great concern and need to be openly discussed for students pursuing health-related fields as well as the current health professionals.

 Speakers, topics and times include the following:

• 9 a.m.– Brad Davis, state office director, Jackson offices of U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran: “Federal Policy Development, with an Emphasis on Health Policy”
• 10:15 a.m.– Mary Currier, State Health Officer, Mississippi Department of Health: “Health Indicators for Mississippi”
• 12:45 p.m.– Dr. Heath Grames, assistant professor, Child and Family Studies at Southern Miss: “Post Traumatic Disorder”
• 1:15 p.m.– Dr. Sheila Brooks, assistant professor, Child and Family Studies at Southern Miss: “Post Traumatic Disorder in Children”
• 2 p.m.– John M. Hosey, mental health coordinator, Interfaith Disaster Task Force: “The Gulf Oil Spill Disaster: Knowing the Potential Long-Term Health Impacts”

For more information about the symposium contact Gina Fiorentini-Wright at 601.266.4839 or gina.fiorentini.wright@usm.edu