Nineteen new E-PHAP students attended their first on-campus session Jan. 7-10 despite double-digit wind chill and flight delays.

Cohort 2 students come from six different countries on four continents, speak more than eleven languages, and represent all facets of U.S. health and health care: They work for health departments serving populations ranging from 11,000 to 400,000 people, provide physical therapy for the disabled, test medical devices, and work as hospitalists, among other endeavors.

The session started with a welcome from Dean Finnegan followed by representatives from the library, writing center and SPH Career & Professional Development Services.  Students quickly began class work with Professor Lynn Blewett where they were encouraged to work together synergistically to solve classroom and real life public and population health problems.

On Jan. 8 the new cohort was joined by Cohort 1. Professor Michael Osterholm,director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, provided the keynote lecture at the annual E-PHAP Leadership Lecture Series. Osterholm exhorted the students to think innovatively about the farthest “upstream” vulnerabilities in our health environments. A reception followed at the Campus Club.

Students from both cohorts mingled at lunch each day, and at an evening dinner at the McNamara Center.

“Seeing the students connect was inspiring; they already have plans to collaborate across the cohorts,” notes Rebecca Wurtz, program director.

As a memento of their visit Cohort 2 students received UMN mittens, which were immediately put to use for their trips home. Online classes started January 20.

Pictured top: Students gather at the Campus Club. Pictured bottom: Mike Osterholm, keynote