JOHNSON CITY (November 18, 2011) – The East Tennessee State University College of Public Health will bring the China-Tennessee Health Education Training Institute to a close on Friday with an enduring symbol of fellowship for their colleagues from China: the sharing of a Thanksgiving meal.

“We have spent almost two weeks exchanging ideas and education about public health and its importance,” said Dr. Randy Wykoff, dean of the ETSU College of Public Health. “With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I don’t think there could be a better way to bring the institute to a close. And our friends from China requested this. Even though it’s an American holiday, they have told us there is considerable interest in Thanksgiving in their country.”

The China-Tennessee Health Education Training Institute was conceived and designed by the college for Chinese public health officials to learn about public health education through didactic experience and visits to some of the region’s health-related institutions. ETSU faculty and guest speakers presented a number of special lectures on health topics.

Wykoff said the institute has been an unqualified success, and he expects that this will not be the last such event hosted by the college. The dean praised public health faculty and staff for investing significant effort in preparation for and execution of the institute, and he lauded the Tri-Cities health care and business community for getting behind the project.

Mountain States Health Alliance is sponsoring the Thanksgiving meal.

“The generosity of Mountain States Health Alliance and all of our regional partners is indicative of the goodwill expressed to our guests from China,” Wykoff said. “It’s impossible to overstate the importance of contributions and cooperation we have received from area businesses.

“The China-Tennessee Health Education Training Institute has been a success, and we owe a debt of gratitude to friends throughout the region who helped make that happen by partnering with us on this project.”