KINGSTON, R.I. – April 3, 2025 – The University of Rhode Island will celebrate National Public Health Week with activities, guest speakers, and presentations from April 7-13. The events are hosted by URI’s Department of Public Health, in collaboration with the College of Health Sciences, the College of Pharmacy, URI Health Services, as well as other university and community partners.

One of the highlights of the week will be URI’s Pubic Health Symposium featuring a keynote address by Dr. James O’Connell, assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and president of the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program. O’Connell will discuss the challenges of providing medical care to homeless populations. The presentation is scheduled Monday, April 7, 5:30 p.m., in room 170 of Avedisian Hall on the URI Kingston Campus.

On Tuesday, April 8, a panel of URI alumnae will discuss careers in the public health field The discussion will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. via Zoom and will feature panelists Tiffany Jimenez ‘15, a clinical therapist at R.I. Mental Health; Sarah Ogundare ‘16, a program evaluator at the Rhode Island Department of Health; and Ana Talamas ’18, an analytics manager at Building Service 32BJ Benefit Funds.

On Wednesday, April 9, Professor Nekehia Quashie will host a panel discussion, entitled “Save the Earth!: Careers Focused on Environmental Health,” via Zoom. The discussion will begin at 2 p.m. and will feature Summer Gonsalves ’24, a compliance officer with the US Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration; Courtney Greene ’20 G’22, a project manager specializing in environmental compliance, policy, and stakeholder engagement; and Catherine Alves, a marine ecologist, social scientist and environmental advocate for Save the Bay.

And on Friday, April 11, students from URI’s Department of Public Health will present their research in the lower level of Independence Square.

Additional training, education and wellness events are scheduled throughout the week at the Memorial Union and elsewhere across campus. Some of these events include:

• Wellness workshops which will take place on the lower level of URI Health Services on Tuesday, April 8 from 6 to 7 p.m., and Thursday, April 10 from 5 to 6 p.m.
• A “Take Back the Night” presentation and luminary lighting to raise awareness against sexual violence will be held at the main entrance of the URI Memorial Union on Wednesday, April 9 from 5 to 7 p.m.
• An “Out of the Darkness Campus Walk” to raise money and awareness for suicide prevention on Sunday, April 13 at 11:30 a.m.

For the complete list of events, see URI’s National Public Health Week page.