International public health program first and only in North America

NEWS RELEASE LAKE SUPERIOR STATE UNIVERSITY ************************* New program is partnership between LSSU, Sault College and Algoma Public Health SAULT STE.

NEWS RELEASE

LAKE SUPERIOR STATE UNIVERSITY

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New program is partnership between LSSU, Sault College and Algoma Public Health

SAULT STE. MARIE – An international public health program that will help fill a great need in the public health field was formalized on Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 24-25, at Algoma Public Health in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. and Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.

The new International Public and Environmental Health Program, a collaboration between the LSSU, Sault College and Algoma Public Health, will bolster public health programs at both institutions as well as provide assistance to a field that has a great demand for employees.

The program is the only of its kind in North America and was eight years in the making.

Officials from the educational institutions, as well as public health agencies from the twin Saults, announced the new program during signing ceremonies at 11 a.m. on Sept. 24 at Algoma Public Health’s Community Room, and then again at 11 a.m. on Sept. 25 in the Crow’s Nest at LSSU’s Walker Cisler Center.

Sault College President Ron Common Ph.D., LSSU President Thomas Pleger Ph.D., LSSU Provost Morrie Walworth, Algoma Public Health Medical Officer of Health Kim Barker M.D., and other notable environmental health supporters were in attendance to witness the signing of the memorandum of understanding.

“We are pleased to partner with LSSU and Algoma Public Health on this initiative and we congratulate LSSU for its accreditation status,” said Common, noting that for the program to become possible, LSSU had to become accredited through the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors. “This unique program trains students to be future public health inspectors and registered environmental health specialists, and Sault College is happy to offer a gateway into these fields of study.”

The terms of the agreement approved this week outline the ways that Sault College students can obtain a bachelor of science degree in environmental health at LSSU.

Due to LSSU’s status as an accredited program, graduates are eligible to apply for the registered environmental health specialist credential through Canada’s National Environmental Health Association and Protection Accreditation Council by taking qualifying exams immediately upon graduation.

Interested students have the option of beginning at Sault College in the two-year general Arts and Science--Environmental Health program and then transfer to LSSU to complete their degrees in three years, or they may choose to complete the entire program at LSSU.

Dr. Barbara Keller, dean of LSSU’s College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, said the CIPHI accreditation was made possible through the tireless efforts of LSSU’s Canadian partners, especially Sherri Cleaves, director of Environmental Programs at Algoma Public Health.

“This was a long process that many people thought wouldn’t be possible,” Keller said. “We’re so thankful for everyone’s help in achieving the accreditation and making this important educational opportunity open to our region’s students.”

Keller noted that this program dovetails nicely with LSSU’s environmental health bachelor’s degree, which has been accredited since 2007 by the National Environmental Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council in the U.S.

It is one of only two accredited undergraduate programs in the state of Michigan.

The unique partnership program will allow students to complete a co-op work term in a health unit and provides training to work in the United States and Canada.

Students will also be exposed to issues relating to the natural and constructed environment and how this affects the health of the public.

Successful graduates will be prepared to inspect public venues for any health risk, including food and drinking water safety, spread of infectious diseases, outbreaks of disease, blood-borne illnesses, air quality, mold and indoor environments, rabies, land use for septic systems, health hazards and emergency planning, vector-borne diseases -- such as West Nile virus – and more.

“LSSU has enjoyed a long-time partnership with Sault College and we are excited about this next step with them and Algoma Public Health,” said LSSU President Tom Pleger. "We look forward to strengthening the collaboration, providing career opportunities for Canadian and U.S. students in an area where it is greatly needed, and increasing the impact on the economies of both countries.

The public and environmental health program will accept its first students in September 2015. Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Sault College Student Recruitment at 705-759-2554, ext. 2222, or LSSU Admissions, 906-635-2231.

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