News

--News Release--

Colorado State University (CSU) Students Create “One Health” Club – First of its Kind

“The students at Colorado State University have been keeping their fingers on the pulse of the healthcare profession and its new direction.  With the release of the American Veterinary Medical Association’s One Health Initiative Task Force report, there is an increased awareness of the initiative and its significance for those involved in veterinary, human, and environmental health.  The One Health Initiative calls for increased collaboration among health science professionals, academic institutions, government agencies, and industries to address the significant global health and environmental challenges of today. 

Erica Monaco and Amanda Berrian, combined degree program students in Public Health and Veterinary Medicine, recognize the importance of improved collaboration between veterinary and human medical professionals.  Nearly 75 % of emerging infectious diseases are of animal origin and are capable of being transmitted to humans.  To address these and related issues, Monaco and Berrian created the first University student organization specifically designed to promote the One Health Initiative.  Their goal is to facilitate improved cooperation and collaboration among the next generation of health sciences professionals by fostering interdisciplinary relationships while still in training.  Their student organization, the One Health Club, is open to students currently in graduate degree programs in all health sciences fields including biomedical sciences, natural resources, veterinary medicine, and applied human sciences.  Their faculty advisor, Dr. Francisco Olea-Popelka, is an Assistant Professor at CSU in addition to being an external consultant for the Irish Department of Agriculture on topics related to the control and eradication of Bovine Tuberculosis in cattle and wildlife species.  Dr. Olea-Popelka will present his work at the first One Health Club meeting set for October 30, 2008.  For more information, e-mail OHCinfo@colostate.edu”

Provided by:

 One Health Club at Colorado State University

 College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

 Erica Monaco (President)

 Amanda Berrian (Vice-President)

 Bridget Schuler (Secretary)

 Kelly Fielitz (Treasurer)

 Dr. Francisco Olea-Popelka (Faculty Advisor)

 Laura Backus (Public Health Outreach Coordinator)

 Colorado State University One Health Club

 Vision: To encourage increased collaboration among students, faculty, and community members in transdisciplinary health sciences fields to gain a greater appreciation and understanding for the inextricable link between animal, human and environmental health.

 Mission Statement:  The mission of the CSU One Health Club is to support the One Health Initiative through organized involvement and collaboration with environmental, public and animal health communities.  OHC will carry out this mission by providing a forum for the discussion of health-related issues facing humans, animals, and the ecosystem.  These issues include, but are not limited to, zoonotic diseases, emerging infectious diseases, globalization, and climate change.  OHC will support programs that endeavor to reduce human and animal disease and disability and improve human and animal population well-being.  OHC recognizes that there is an inextricable link between the health of all species and their environment, and that a holistic approach to these issues is needed.  OHC will strive to improve communications, encourage collaboration, and enhance integration of animal, human, and environmental health for the benefit of all.

 

 

NOTE: The Kahn-Kaplan-Monath One Health team encourages other schools (colleges) of veterinary medicine and medicine to contact the CSU One Health Club at OHCinfo@colostate.edu and begin establishing additional One Health clubs with liaison among all.