Get Involved! SPHHS Student Organizations

The Public Health Student Association (PHSA) is an organization for all students enrolled in the public health programs at the GW School of Public Health and Health Services. The mission is to develop an experience for the students that is professional, educational, fulfilling, and enjoyable. The PHSA creates opportunities for students to network with professionals and alumni, to become active public health agents and to learn about current issues in public health. The organization advocates on issues pertaining to curriculum revision, research opportunities, student participation, and financial needs. Contact the PHSA by emailing phsa@gwu.edu.

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PHSA Officers for 2009-2010

President	Clark Hagen	chagen@gwmail.gwu.edu
Vice President	Brian Jones	brinjay@hotmail.com
Secretary	Grace Zawistowski	gracez@gwmail.gwu.edu
Treasurer	Swetha Desai	sdesai29@gwmail.gwu.edu
Web Designer	Akintunde Akinseye	akinseye@gwmail.gwu.edu
Communications Liaison	Ashley Minaei	aaminaei@gwmail.gwu.edu
Student Alumni Liaison	Emma Sandoe	emma.sandoe@gmail.com
Advocacy Chair	Brittany Plavchak	bplavchak@gmail.com
Education Chair	Christina Tsiatis	ctsiatis@gwmail.gwu.edu
Community Service Co-Chair	Elise Kwizera	ekwizera@gwmail.gwu.edu
Community Service Co-Chair	Molly Greenberg	mollyros@gwmail.gwu.edu
Social Chair	Melissa Higdon	melissahigdon@gmail.com
Undergraduate Representative	Imran Mahmud	imranm@gwmail.gwu.edu

**The GW Student Association (GWSA)** is the University-wide student governance organization. SPHHS students are represented in the GWSA by:
Graduate Senator	Curtis O'Neal	cboneal@gwu.edu
Undergraduate Senator	Kevin Waloff	kwaffle@gwu.edu

The Health Services Management and Leadership Student Association (HSML-SA) serves as a professional organization, offering numerous networking and professional development opportunities. The Student Association regularly sponsors site visits to local health care facilities, and field trips to health care briefings on Capitol Hill. In addition, Student Association members attend the annual Congress of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) on Healthcare Management in Chicago, IL. Contact the HSML-SA by emailing hsmpsa@gwu.edu.

The Athletic Training Students' Association (ATSA) promotes the profession of Athletic Training through education and activities. The organization strives to create a cohesive social community within The George Washington University's Athletic Training Education Program and to broaden opportunities for athletic training students.

The Society of Exercise Science Students (SESS) brings together undergraduate and graduate students pursuing majors within the Department of Exercise Science. SESS is built on the three pillars of scholarship, charity and camaraderie.

The DrPH Student Association (DrPH SA) represents the interests of all DrPH students. Each admitting class of the DrPH program elects or appoints a representative to the DrPH SA. Officers are elected to serve one-year terms. The DrPH SA has a formal Constitution. Contact the DrPH SA by emailing drphsa@gwu.edu.

The Interdisciplinary Student Community-Oriented Prevention Enhancement Service (ISCOPES) program creates service and learning teams that allow students to gain community health experience while addressing the health needs of underserved populations. ISCOPES is a collaborative effort between the George Washington University and George Mason University. Students work in interdisciplinary teams with community-based organizations to identify health needs and design health education and health promotion activities. Contact ISCOPES by emailing iscopes@gwu.edu.

The SPHHS Advocacy Committee began in January 2004 as a group of students eager to raise awareness and effect policy change on international and domestic public health issues. The Committee advocates and lobbies members of Congress, writes letters to the editors of newspapers, and holds events in order to raise awareness on campus and in the community about current, important public health issues. Every semester, members have the opportunity to take part in Advocacy Days and partner with students from other universities, where they learn the policy-making process that takes place on Capitol Hill, talk with members of Congress about public health, present general policy-making opportunities, and make specific requests for legislation. Students in the SPHHS have the opportunity to greatly influence the political process here in Washington, as they possess expert knowledge of public health issues and have the passion to improve the health status of populations, both domestically and internationally. The Committee acts as an informational link to students who are interested in influencing policy, informing members of Congress about public health issues, or raising their voices for public health. The SPHHS Advocacy Committee is open to all students at all levels of political experience. Contact the SPHHS Advocacy Committee by emailing Becca Simon, rsimon@gwu.edu.

The Office of Grad Life provides GW graduate and professional students with information and resources through its web site, listserv, and emailed announcements. The Office of Grad Life also provides learning opportunities through various co-curricular initiatives, and promotes community development through various social, recreational, and cultural events. Students can also provide feedback through this office on the University's services for graduate students.