School of Public Health at the University of Nevada, Reno

09/05/2026

The Man burns tonight. 🔥 Public health has been showing up on the playa all week. ☀️💙
Our Dusty Dillas are gifting a little something different at Burning Man: hundreds of harm reduction, menstrual health, safer s*x and sun protection kits.
From looking out for your neighbors to being prepared for whatever the playa throws your way, public health fits right in with the spirit of the Burn.
Meet the University of Nevada, Reno alumni behind Dusty Dillas and see how they’re bringing public health to Black Rock City.
🔥 Read the full story at the link in our bio.

09/05/2026

Public health, playa style. ☀️💙

Our Nevada Alumni & Friends are taking harm reduction, menstrual health, safer s*x and sun protection resources to Burning Man through their camp, Dusty Dillas.

It’s public health in action, built around preparation, participation and taking care of your community.

University of Nevada, Reno alumni bring harm reduction, menstrual health, safer s*x and sun protection resources to Burning Man.

09/02/2026

Tomorrow morning, join public health leaders from across the country for a conversation about preparing for the health threats of a changing world.

Dean Muge Akpinar-Elci, M.D., MPH, will be one of the featured presenters for the APHA webinar, “One Health and Disaster Preparedness for a Changing World: Pandemics, Environmental Change and Other Emerging Health Threats.” The discussion will explore how a One Health approach can strengthen preparedness and response by considering the connections among human, animal, plant and environmental health.

The discussion will bring together perspectives on pandemics, environmental change and emergency preparedness, with a focus on how a One Health approach can help individuals, organizations and governments better understand, prepare for and respond to evolving risks.

📅 Thursday, Sept. 3
⏰ 9-10 a.m. PT
💻 Zoom webinar

Register to join the conversation: APHA webinar registration at https://zurl.co/nYmaO

09/02/2026

We’re proud to celebrate Jason Frierson, a School of Public Health alumnus whose Nevada story continues to inspire.

From student-athlete and ASUN president to Nevada Assembly speaker, U.S. attorney for the District of Nevada and now vice chancellor of government relations for the Nevada System of Higher Education, Frierson’s path reflects a lifelong commitment to leadership and service.

His story is also a reminder that public health can lead to many meaningful careers, including law, policy, higher education and work that strengthens communities across Nevada.

Read more in Nevada Today.

Public Health alumnus Jason Frierson reflects on the Nevada mentors, experiences and public health foundation that shaped his career in law, policy and higher education.

09/01/2026

We’re excited to share what’s ahead for physical therapy education in Northern Nevada!

Our new Doctor of Physical Therapy program will welcome its inaugural class in 2027, and the future John Iliescu, M.D. Physical Therapy Building will give students a dedicated place to learn, collaborate and prepare to serve communities across Nevada.

We’re grateful to the Iliescu family and to everyone helping bring this vision to life.

Applications are now open for the inaugural class.

The School of Public Health at the University of Nevada introduces new Doctor of Physical Therapy program and honors the Iliescu family’s gift

09/01/2026

Public health starts with strong partnerships. 💙

For the past five years, our partnership with Northern Nevada Public Health has helped bring the classroom and the community closer together, giving our students opportunities to learn from public health professionals while creating new ways for our faculty and community partners to work side by side.

We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished together and excited to keep building on this work for a healthier Northern Nevada.

08/31/2026

Congratulations to Stephanie S. Kruse on being named the 2026 Be the CHAnge Award honoree by Community Health Alliance

Stephanie has been a great friend to the School of Public Health and a valued member of the University of Nevada, Reno School of Public Health Community Advisory Board. As a longtime supporter of our School, she generously shares her time, leadership and perspective to help strengthen our work and our relationships across Northern Nevada.
Her commitment extends well beyond our School, with a long history of philanthropy, mentorship and service dedicated to improving health and quality of life throughout the region.

We are fortunate to have Stephanie as part of our School of Public Health community and proud to see her recognized for the lasting difference she continues to make.

As Dean Muge Akpinar-Elci shared, “Women who lead with both strength and heart inspire others to believe in what is possible.”

Congratulations, Stephanie, on this well-deserved honor!

08/22/2026

Five days, so many classes, thousands of steps, countless selfies and lots of new friends. That’s a wrap on HealthFIT 2026! 🐺

This week, our newest School of Public Health students got to know the University of Nevada, Reno campus, met faculty and staff, heard from professionals working across health and public health, and most importantly connected with one another!

We hope you leave NevadaFIT with new connections, a little more confidence and plenty of excitement for what’s ahead.

Welcome to the Pack! We’re so glad you’re here.

Now get some rest! We’ll see you Monday! 💙💙

08/19/2026

Make connections. Ask for feedback. Get experience. Stay flexible. Don’t be afraid to fail. And have some fun along the way.

That was some of the advice our HealthFIT students heard from professionals working across health and public health in Nevada.

A big thank you to our HealthFIT Professionals Panel for sharing their career journeys and giving students an honest look at the experiences, relationships and lessons that helped get them where they are today:

- Andrea Esp, MPH, Northern Nevada Public Health
- Lily Helzer, MPH, Nevada Cancer Coalition
- Karissa Loper Machado, MPH, Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health
- Louis Mendiola, MHA, South Lyon Medical Center
- Nate Heitzenrader, BS, MPS, Swift Institute
- Jessica Yurtinus, PT, DPT, University of Nevada, Reno School of Public Health

Their careers span public health preparedness, cancer prevention, workforce development, rural health care, neurosurgery and physical therapy, giving students a glimpse at just how many directions a career in health can take.

Thank you to our panelists for encouraging students to put themselves out there, learn from the people around them and make the most of the opportunities ahead.

08/19/2026

We’re excited to welcome Annick Borquez, MSc, Ph.D., associate professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health at the University of California San Diego, for a special guest presentation on Wednesday, Aug. 20.

Dr. Borquez will present, “Intersectional issues in HIV/AIDS and solutions among migrant populations,” and share insights on the public health challenges and opportunities facing migrant communities.

🕛 Noon to 1 p.m.
🗓️ Thursday, Aug. 20
📍 LRC 205

Hosted by the School of Public Health at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Public Health and the Center for Drug Use, Equity, and Policy Research.

Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to attend.