November 4, 2011
Chinese delegation turns to ETSU College of Public Health for two weeks of education,
insight
JOHNSON CITY A delegation of almost 20 people is traveling halfway around the world
to spend two weeks at East Tennessee State University, where they will learn more
about public health education and the difference it can make throughout the community.
The ETSU College of Public Health is hosting Chinese government officials as part
of the China-Tennessee Health Education Training Institute. From Nov. 7-18, visitors
will be treated to a blend of special presentations by faculty and guest lecturers,
as well as visits to a variety of the regions health-related institutions to witness
firsthand how health education is put into action.
It is not the first visit by Chinese public health officials to ETSU, as delegates
came here in 2008 as a part of former Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesens China-Tennessee
Rural Health Institute. Although this is not an offshoot of that last visit, the 2008
trip did play a part in China turning again to the ETSU College of Public Health for
expertise.
The participants in the 2008 delegation had a very positive experience during their
time at ETSU, and two of them specifically recommended ETSU to their colleagues, said
Dr. Randy Wykoff, dean of the college. Were honored that in their search for training
on health education, they chose to come back to ETSU.
Under the direction of Dr. Jim Florence, chair of the ETSU Department of Community
Health, university faculty and guest speakers will present special lectures on an
array of public health topics during the two-week institute. Faculty, staff and students
from the college will also lead several trips that showcase successful health projects
in action. Those projects include the Nu-Val Program and employee health initiatives
at Food City; the LIFEPATH Public Health Training Center that is housed at the College
of Public Health; employee wellness efforts promoted by Eastman Chemical Co.; and
quality improvement in health care at Mountain States Health Alliance and the Sullivan
County Regional Health Department. The group will also meet with representatives of
the State Department of Health, the American Heart Association, regional health writers
and the National Commission on Health Education Credentialing.
Florence said he expects both visitors and hosts to learn much from each other and
to exchange ideas that will help improve health in both Tennessee and China.
To keep the institute interesting and relevant to all parts of the region, some training
events will be held at off-site venues, such as the Gray Fossil Site and Bristol Motor
Speedway. The group will take in an ETSU basketball game. The delegation will also
visit the International Storytelling Center in Jonesborough to see a special performance
of Dispatches from the Other Kingdom: The Cancer Journey, an oral history theater
piece conceived and directed by Dr. Joseph Sobol, director of the ETSU Masters Degree
Program in Storytelling.
And last, the China-Tennessee Health Education Training Institute will wind up the
exchange with an American Thanksgiving-style banquet on Friday, Nov. 18.
Its actually something the Chinese delegation requested, Wykoff said, and considering
these two weeks are about the sharing of ideas and goodwill, a Thanksgiving meal seems
very appropriate.
