Manchester Magazine manchester magazine fall 2019 for joomag | Page 14

MU | F e a t u r e s
Global health major advances MU’s mission
M
anchester’s new global health major serves
multiple purposes: It fills a growing need
in the world. It creates another path for
students interested in health-related careers.
And it advances MU’s mission to improve
the human condition.
At its core, global health seeks health equity among all nations
and all people, and addresses the limited resources available for
that health care. “Global health points people in the direction
of using those limited resources better,” says Jeff Osborne,
professor of chemistry and global health program director.
The program’s broad scope will enable graduates to deal with
health issues in communities, both in the United States and
around the world.
Under Osborne’s leadership, Manchester launched the new
major last year. The program’s highly interdisciplinary course
work includes natural sciences, peace studies, communication
studies, and economics, with options in social work, political
science, psychology, exercise science and athletic training,
philosophy and business.
administrator, community health worker, consultant, disaster
relief support technician, foundation executive, health educator,
health services manager, pharmaceutical sales, policy analyst,
program evaluator, public health advocate and research
coordinator, among others. Global health, adds Osborne, can
also provide solid preparation for professional or graduate
studies.
As director of the Medical Practicum, which provides health
care to underserved populations in Central America each
January, Osborne has experienced global health issues firsthand.
The world is becoming increasingly multicultural, says Osborne,
and we need to understand multiple cultures and communicate
with cultural humility in order to effectively provide health care.
Ultimately, global health study advances Manchester’s mission.
“We want everyone to have access to quality health care, so the
idea of not simply working for one population but rather trying
to make decisions that improve everyone’s lot, it’s in keeping
with how we view the infinite worth of every individual.”
By Melinda Lantz ’81
Manchester’s program is distinctive, adds Osborne, in that
students take courses in dealing with conflict such as conflict
resolution or mediation and conciliation and with poverty.
Faculty developed one new course specifically for the
major. Global Disease examines infectious diseases, non-
communicable diseases, and the global burden of disease.
Another new course at MU, Community Health Work,
provides the curriculum for students to sit for the Indiana
Community Health Workers Association certification.
Manchester also recently added poverty studies to its lineup
and joined the Shepherd Consortium, which provides summer
internships in areas related to poverty in the United States.
Career opportunities for global health majors are varied and
growing, says Osborne. They include community health
Jeff Osborne, professor of chemistry and global health program director,
poses with interpreters on a Medical Practicum trip.
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