Notable

Mizanur R. Miah, director of SIUC's School of Social Work, was honored June 15 in Washington, D.C., by the Council of Social Work Education.

Mizanur R. Miah

He received a plaque commemorating his three-year term on the council's accreditation commission, which, among other duties, develops the standards used to ensure that undergraduate and graduate programs offer top-flight education and training to students entering the field. The 55-year-old council is the nation's only accrediting body for social work programs. Its 3,000 members include individuals, educational and professional facilities, and social welfare agencies.

Miah, who joined the SIUC faculty in 2002, successfully shepherded the University's social work programs through the rigorous accreditation review, a process that began shortly after his arrival. The school's accreditation runs through June 2010.

Miah serves on the International Task Force of the National Association of Deans and Directors of Schools of Social Work and does consulting work for two United Nations agencies.

The fourth annual Give Kids a Smile Day sponsored by SIUC's Dental Hygiene Program recently garnered statewide recognition.

The Illinois State Dental Society announced that the February event at SIUC received the second-place participation award in the individual/small group category for such Illinois programs.

More than 250 children ages 2-18 received oral exams, x-rays, cleaning, fluoride and sealants, according to Jennifer Meyer, clinical faculty member and coordinator of the program. She said the event also included oral hygiene education and activities for the children.

Students of the University's Dental Hygiene Program along with a group of about 10 area dentists and hygienists, who volunteered their time, provided the free dental care. The program is in the College of Applied Sciences and Arts.

A certificate recognizing the achievement hangs in the campus dental clinic.

Gina Paul, assistant professor in MEDPREP at the SIU School of Medicine, received a competitive grant to attend the 2007 Central Association of Advisors for Health Professions (CAAHP) meeting this spring in Omaha.   Travel grants are awarded to members to attend regional meetings to enhance their advising skills through the workshops, presentations and updates from various health professionals.

At the meeting Paul and Steven Verhulst, professor of statistics and research consulting at SIU School of Medicine, presented two posters – "Triangulation and Passage Analysis Worksheets to Analyze Verbal Reasoning Mistakes" and "The Use of Deep Breathing Meditation to Reduce Test Anxiety."

Dr. Deanna M. St. Germain, assistant professor of pediatrics at SIU School of Medicine, received the national Commissioner's Award from the Department of Health and Human Services at their annual meeting in Portland, Ore. in April.  This annual award "recognizes those who through their hard work and dedication have made outstanding contributions toward the prevention, intervention and treatment of child abuse and neglect."