Masters Degree in Health Education - Survey of Interest

Maine Nurse, Feb-Apr 2004 by Doran, Peter C

We are pleased to announce that Southern Illinois University is conducting a survey of interest in their graduate Masters Degree Program in Health Education. The Department of Health Education at Southern Illinois University is recognized nationally as one of the top five graduate Health Education departments offering both masters and doctoral degree programs. This degree program requires completion of 40 semester hours, with flexible arrangements for delivery and matriculation designed especially for those working in the field.

It will be of interest that the Chairman of the Department of Health Education at SIU is Dr. David Birch, who worked previously in Maine as a health education specialist-consultant with the Maine Department of Education. Through his association with Peter C. Doran, PhD, CHES, retired professor of Health Education, University of Maine at Farmington, the possibility of bringing the SIU program to Maine has come about. Dr. Doran earned his masters and doctoral degrees at Southern Illinois University and has had a long standing professional interest in developing health education undergraduate and graduate degree preparation in Maine.

One of Dr. Doran's graduates in Community Health Education from UMF is Patricia Philbrook, RNC, NP, BS, Executive Director of the Maine Nurses Association. She and Dr. Doran are pleased about the possibilities of bringing the SIU Masters program to Maine and are encouraging interested prospective students to request and complete the survey as soon as possible.

Health education graduates with nursing background have been very successful in Maine. The Partnership for a Healthy Maine has created exciting opportunities for school health nurses, school community health conditions and health education specialists. Community health education graduates are employed as education coordinators and directors in health care facilities throughout Maine as well as in very responsible administrative roles. Voluntary health organizations are promoting wellness extensively with community health education - nursing leadership. A number of community health education nurses are functioning as town health officers developing network responses to Bio-Terrorism.

Occupational health nursing is another emerging area of importance where community health educator-nurses are helping to shape Maine's Occupation Health and Safety Research agenda.

Maine is leading the nation in prudently using tobacco settlement funds to encourage wellness and disease prevention with youth and adults. Nurses with training as community health educators are especially well prepared to provide expertise and leadership in prevention practice and health promotion.

Nurses interested in completing the Southern Illinois University survey should contact:

Michelle A. Caliandro, Health Educator

The American Lung Association of Maine

122 State Street, Augusta, ME 04330

(207) 622-6394 or 1-800-458-6472

(207) 626-2919 fax

web: www.mainelung.org

by Peter C. Doran, PhD, CHES