The fifth Rocky Mountain Region Public Health Case Competition was held at the Health Science Library at the CU Anschutz Medical Campus earlier this month.
Fifteen teams received a realistic case-study about suicide prevalence, a public health issue especially relevant to Colorado. Each team had approximately 24 hours to analyze the case, create a public health solution and present it to a panel of judges.
The prizes for the top three teams were varying amounts of scholarship money up to $1,000. Three teams were chosen as the people’s choice recipients, with each member receiving $100.
The teams were specifically chosen to include different disciplines surrounding healthcare, including the Colorado School of Public Health (Colorado SPH), the CU School of Medicine, College of Nursing, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Public Affairs, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the Graduate School.
“Public health stretches across all disciplines,” said Tonya Ewers, director of communications and alumni relations for the ColoradoSPH. “This is a great practice-learning opportunity for these students to learn to work together to solve health problems.”
This year’s winning team included three graduate public health students from the ColoradoSPH — two from its program at CU Anschutz and one student from their program at the University of Northern Colorado — as well a graduate student in pharmacy and another in nursing. Fitting for Veterans Day, their focus was on veteran suicide prevention with a project title of “Serve and Support: You Stood for Us, Now Let Us Stand for You.” Their project included media outreach ads and posters with grabbing headlines like “It's Okay to Not Be Okay” and a peer navigation program that enrolls veterans at the time of discharge. Their case competition plan also included a mobile app and social media outreach to stay top of mind for veteran health.
First-place team member, Kacy Lorber (ColoradoSPH) posted photos of her experience on Instagram and said: “I got to present to so many important people but specifically two House Representatives in Colorado! The highlight was when state Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet told us that she got bill ideas from our presentations. I am so grateful for this experience.”
Diana Ir, current president of the case competition planning committee and student in the ColoradoSPH, participated in the competition last year.
“I had such a great experience,” said Ir. “I enjoyed it so much that I wanted to be a part of putting it together this year. I encourage everyone to participate in the future. Between the potential scholarship money and the awesome collaborative environment, you shouldn’t miss it!”
RESULTS – Rocky Mountain Regional Case Competition
1st Place ($1,000 each student scholarship)
“Serve and Support
You Stood for Us, Now Let Us Stand with You!
Comprehensive Veteran Suicide Prevention”
Team Members and Affiliations
Sujeith Barraza, ColoradoSPH (UNC home campus)
Phuong Banh, ColoradoSPH
Elizabeth Ko, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science
Kacy Lorber, ColoradoSPH
Morgan Nestingen, College of Nursing
2nd Place ($500 scholarship to each student):
“PACT: Patience Assistance Continuing Treatment: Expanding CDPHE’s Warm Handoff”
Team Members and Affiliations
Angie Kim, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science
Alison Hoffman, ColoradoSPH
Cheryl A. Jones, ColoradoSPH (UNC home campus)
Randy Xun, ColoradoSPH
3rd Place ($250 scholarship to each student):
“PRIDE ALIVE”
Team Members and Affiliations
Charlotte Whitney, School of Public Affairs
Naga Srinija Gummadi, ColoradoSPH
Johnny Williams, ColoradoSPH
Vikasini Mahalingam, School of Medicine
Three teams received People’s Choice Awards ($100 scholarship to each student):
People’s Choice
“Hometown Platoon: A Mobile Mentorship Program”
Team Members and Affiliations
Heather Hergert, ColoradoSPH (CSU home campus)
Hailee Griffin, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science
Isaiah Francis, ColoradoSPH
Hannah LaDow, ColoradoSPH
Scott Cao, School of Medicine
People’s Choice ($100 scholarship to each student):
“Welcome to My Life: CO Health Care Workers’ Wellness Program”
Team Members and Affiliations
Jenny Duong, ColoradoSPH
Heather Marshall, ColoradoSPH (CSU home campus)
Meena Mattamana, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science
Hailey Hyde, ColoradoSPH
People’s Choice ($100 scholarship to each student):
“It’s Okay, To Not Be Okay”
Team Members and Affiliations
Madeline Huey, School of Medicine
Victoria Laskey, School of Public Affairs
Allison Seidel, ColoradoSPH
Katie Schweber, ColoradoSPH
Mackenzie Wilderman, College of Engineering and Applied Science (Bioengineering)
Editor's note: Tonya Ewers, director of communications and alumni relations for the Colorado School of Public Health, contributed to this report.