FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 31, 2014
For more information contact: Candice Morey – 603-641-4313
UNH Graduate Student Helping to Promote Healthy Habits Through CATCH Program
Graduate School Information Session at Manchester Campus on Wednesday, November 5
As the words “Mingle! Mingle!” are shouted in the classroom, students and adults alike begin to quickly move about. They freeze in pairs, strike a pose and balance as best they can. Believe it or not, this game being played in local Manchester Elementary schools is one of the latest public health initiatives being sponsored by Southern New Hampshire Services and Oasis Institute. The program, known as the Coordinated Approach to Child Health (CATCH), promotes health in two demographics, those above age 50 and children in grades K-5.
The Program Coordinator for CATCH is University of New Hampshire Master of Public Health (MPH) graduate student Elise Jordan.
“The UNH MPH program has given me exposure to all areas of public health management,” said Jordan. “Most graduate programs require you to declare a concentration within public health and sometimes the basics get overlooked in those concentrations. I wanted as much exposure to the entire discipline as possible.” Jordan has also taken courses in Community Nutrition, Environmental Health, Epidemiology and Counseling & Diet Therapy and feels the program has given her a “well balanced” exposure to public health.
Jordan said CATCH takes a three-pronged approach to health care by providing all participants with 30 minutes of physical activity, a snack, and a nutrition lesson. Jordan also spends half of her time working as a Clinic Nutritionist for Southern New Hampshire Services.
“As a Clinic Nutritionist I get to work with women and children to better their health in a variety of ways,” Jordan explains. “Duties of this position require me to take anthropometric and blood measurements, promote breast feeding, support and lactation counseling.”
Jordan is in her final year in the MPH program and is expected to graduate in May 2015. Her future career goals include continuing to work with children in a public health context. Her three health suggestions include: eat everything (in moderation); stay active, especially during stressful situations; and most importantly make time for sleep. She resides in Manchester and spends her free time hiking and snowshoeing with her labradoodle Stella.
If you have a passion for public health, join Jordan and other public health professionals in class by enrolling in UNH’s Master of Public Health (MPH) or post-baccalaureate Public Health Certificate Program. The program is offered exclusively at the University’s Manchester Campus. Most classes meet on Tuesday or Thursday evenings from 5:30-9:30 in 8 week terms.
Attend our Information Session on Wednesday, November 5 at 6 pm. For more information or to register for the session, visit: http://gradschool.unh.edu/manchester/php/gsmc_reg.php or call 603-641-4313.
For more information or to participate in the CATCH program, contact Elise Jordan at (603)634-1169 or email her at ejordan@snhs.org.
