Augusta University School of Public Health

06/17/2026

An inside look at our 6th annual AU-MNI Rural Health Fair!
Full story in the comments 👇

This year, the 6th annual AU-MNI Rural Health Fair opened up to the...

06/10/2026

06/10/2026

It’s National Community Health Improvement Week, and to celebrate, we’re taking a look back on some of our community health initiatives:

👉 The first-ever Public Health Day at the State Capitol, where AU received two grants totaling $66,000 to prevent opioid overdoses locally

👉 The AU-MNI Rural Health Fair, where we partner with local organizations to provide free health screenings and resources to rural Dearing, GA community members

👉 Having our own cheer station at Unite in the Fight Against Cancer

👉 Supplying public blood pressure monitors in areas of need across the state

👉 Implementing an Empower Entrepreneurship program to help people recovering from substance-abuse disorders turn business ideas into reality

👉 Our Jags on Campus interns promoting wellness campaigns across campus

👉 Research that improves health outcomes for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities

06/09/2026

Dean Young was a shining example of a leader devoted to uplifting, educating and helping those around her. Her loss will not only be felt by the Augusta University community, but by every person she has made an impact on, which was many. Our deepest condolences go out to her family, friends and all who loved her.

A message from President Russell T. Keen:

It is with a profoundly heavy heart that I share the news of the passing of Dr. Nancy Young, Dean of the Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University. Nancy was a remarkable leader, a devoted educator, and a cherished member of our university family, and her loss leaves a void that words cannot fully express.

Nancy gave so much of herself to this institution and to the profession she loved. Her dedication to shaping the next generation of dental professionals, her unwavering commitment to excellence, and her genuine warmth touched everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. Augusta University is a better place because of her service and her spirit toward our life-changing, life-saving mission.

In moments like this, I am reminded of the strength we find in one another. I encourage each of you to reach out to your colleagues, your friends, and your neighbors across our campuses. Check in on one another. Offer a kind word, a listening ear, or simply your presence. That is who we are as a community and is a hallmark of the compassionate and caring culture that Nancy helped build while she served and led our students, patients, faculty, staff, and stakeholders at Augusta University.

I have asked that our communications team share information regarding memorial arrangements and opportunities to honor Nancy’s life and legacy with the university community as it becomes available.

Karen and I are keeping Nancy’s family, and all who loved her, in our thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time. We ask that you hold them close in yours as well.

May Nancy rest in peace and may her legacy of excellence and compassion continue to inspire us all.

06/09/2026

"We found that there was a pretty wide range of psychological symptoms and behavior that was reported on in relation to exposure to some type of extreme weather event, not just storms, not just extreme heat. Everything from attachment, security, diminished academic performance, aggression, delinquency... it's all connected."

— Jennifer Barkin, MPH, PhD, associate dean for research & professor in the College of Health and Human Performance at East Carolina University.

Dr. Barkin kicked off the first day of our IPPH Summer Public Health Scholars Program with her lecture, “The Impacts of Extreme Weather Events on Perinatal Mental Health."

06/08/2026

It was all smiles at our 6th annual AU-MNI Rural Health Fair last Friday! A steady stream of McCorkle Nurseries Inc employees and Dearing community members filtered in throughout the day, receiving free health screenings and valuable resources.

We can't wait to do it again next year. 💙

06/04/2026

Our Summer Scholars arrive next week, and we couldn’t be more excited!

The eight-week IPPH Summer Public Health Scholars Program is a paid internship that provides AU graduate or professional degree students with immersive, hands-on experience in a public health research setting.

This year, we have 14 students who will be paired with faculty mentors and will attend weekly seminars from public health leaders.

Students end up leaving the program with an expanded research portfolio, real-world public health insights and meaningful connections.

https://www.augusta.edu/institutes/ipph/summer-scholars-program.php

06/01/2026

ONLY 4️⃣ MORE DAYS until our 6th annual AU-MNI Rural Health Fair!

New this year: The event will be open to the community from 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Come out to Dearing, GA to take advantage of FREE health screenings and risk assessments, including:

🧪Cholesterol panels
🩸 Hemoglobin A1C panels
📊 Biometrics
🩺COPD health screenings, and more!

A special thanks to our sponsors, Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center, Shepeard Community Blood Center, Piedmont McDuffie, Thomson-McDuffie Chamber of Commerce, Via Cognitive Health, That's My Nurse and Marketplace Chaplains for your overwhelming support.

Friday, June 5
5137 Luckey’s Bridge Road, Dearing, GA

See you there!

05/26/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Steven Coughlin on his recent appointment to the Annals of Epidemiology Editorial Board! Annals of Epidemiology is the official journal of the American College of Epidemiology. Dr. Coughlin will begin his three-year term on Monday, June 1. 👏 👏 👏

05/18/2026

We’re pleased to announce AUGSPH has been approved for funding from to study the quality of engagement of community research partners, particularly those with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, including autism. Led by Dr. Teal Benevides and Dr. Stephen Shore, the aim is to validate a measure of research engagement, find out how easy it is to use, and whether the tool is helpful for study teams. Stay tuned for updates as we embark on this important patient-centered research!