School of Health and Human Services Blog

The Elf (Makaya,  daughter of Deanna Stevens, Assistant to the Dean) helps to hand out presents to community families at our Spectrum Campus in San Diego. 2015 started off a little brighter for several California families thanks to the SHHS.  The now annual event linking the SHHS and the community was held at the Spectrum campus on Friday, December 5th, 2014 and was hosted by nursing students. Six economically challenged families from the community were chosen to receive toys, school supplies and clothing donated by nursing students, faculty and staff. The Elf in the room was 16-year old Makaya Stevens from Jamul, who was a big hit along with Santa as they handed out gifts to happy smiling boys and girls. Parents received gifts as well.  Each year National University's nursing program adopts families who have fallen on hard economic times, but who also give back to their own community as volunteers. Parents were moved to tears as they watched their children unwrap ...

A holiday gift from SHHS to our veterans and their loved ones Veterans and their families, along with current and perspective students and SHHS faculty and staff experienced a unique event on December 6 at the Rolling Horse Ranch in Ramona, California.   The horse training event featured horseman Brad Myers from Operation Silver Spurs (OSS).   Attendees were introduced to OSS's horse training approach to connect with their warrior spirit, renew their leadership roles, and learn that horses and fellow humans “will have their six” (have their back).   A lecture and demonstration of working with horses was given with Rolling Horse Ranch horse Rusty.   Participants learned a new “CODE” of how to handle the challenges and opportunities that life as a veteran or those who support them can use to better their journey in life.   After the presentation, participants interacted with the horses at the ranch and enjoyed lunch provided by the university. ...

The end of November was a busy time for faculty and students in the Departments of Community Health and Health Sciences in regards to research.   Several research papers were presented at the 142nd Annual Meeting and Expo of the American Public Health Association ( APHA ) in New Orleans.   SHHS Faculty members Marie Boman-Davis, Gina Piane, Brandon Eggleston, Ellen Kaye Gehrke, and Michael Myers all made presentations at the prestigious conference.    Dr. Gehrke talks research at the integrative, complementary and traditional health practices poster session at APHA 2014.  Dr. Eggleston can be seen in the upper left talking to conference attendees as well. Dr. Gehrke and Dr. Myers pose in front of their APHA poster on Heart Rate Variability.