This September, 91ɬ�� will recognize National Recovery Month with two events that celebrate Statesboro’s recovery history and community.

Organized by the Center for Addiction Recovery (CAR) in the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health (JPHCOPH), these activities include a monthlong library exhibit highlighting the origins and evolution of recovery in Statesboro and a recovery tailgate before the Sept. 26 home football game.

The explores the community’s history of supporting individuals in recovery from substance use and mental health disorders. Through photographs, journals, audio testimonials and more, the exhibit traces Statesboro’s history of recovery back to the 1950s and highlights the people and organizations that have shaped it. 

The exhibition, curated by Georgia Southern Libraries and Center for Addiction Recovery staff, begins with the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous as a national organization and its arrival in Statesboro, and follows the expansion of local support services, including the founding of , which has become a nationally recognized addiction treatment center. 

“Recovery has long been part of the fabric of this community,” said David Gerber, CEO at Willingway Hospital, the title sponsor for the library exhibition. “For generations, people in Statesboro have supported one another in finding hope, connection and a path forward. Willingway is proud to have played a part in the rich history and tradition of recovery in Statesboro.” 

The activities will continue on Sept. 26, when Georgia Southern’s True Blue Recovery program hosts a recovery tailgate before Southern’s home football game against the University of Houston. True Blue Recovery at the Center for Addiction Recovery is Georgia Southern’s collegiate recovery program that supports students in recovery. 

The event will be a stop on the , a statewide initiative led by the that travels across Georgia throughout September to celebrate recovery and connect communities with resources and support.

“The Georgia Council for Recovery is proud to partner with our local recovery community hosts to bring a uniquely Georgia message of the hope and joy of recovery,” said Brian Kite, recovery community organization development program manager of the Georgia Council for Recovery.

The free tailgate is open to students and community members and will feature live music, food and drinks, entertainment and recovery resources.

“College football and tailgating are such a big part of the student experience, and we want people to know that you can still be part of that excitement without alcohol or other substances,” said Julia Curiel, coordinator of True Blue Recovery. 

Together, these events highlight both the deep roots of recovery in Statesboro and the growing network of resources available to those struggling with addiction. Most importantly, they offer a reminder that recovery is not only possible, but is worth celebrating.  

“Recovery is about more than overcoming substance use, it’s about building a life that is full, connected and worth celebrating,” Curiel said. “We want people to see that there is a community here for them, and that choosing recovery doesn’t mean missing out on the fun. It can mean finding an entirely new way to belong.”

The Georgia Department of Health is working with researchers from 91ɬ��’s Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health after Georgia lawmakers requested more information to address the rise of adolescent social media use.  

The U.S. Surgeon General said social media use among adolescents is increasing at an alarming pace, and its effects on youth ages 13 to 18 are concerning. 

“There are increasing concerns among researchers, parents and caregivers, young people, health care experts and others about the impact of social media on youth mental health,”  the published in 2023, states. “More research is needed to understand the impact of social media fully.” 

“We frequently partner with the Department of Public Health,” said Tilicia Mayo-Gamble, Ph.D., associate dean for practice and research and principal investigator for the report. “This was going to require intense data collection, and they knew we could handle it.” 

Mayo-Gamble is an associate professor in the Department of Health Policy and Community Health at Georgia Southern. Her background in communications proved helpful as she partnered with Chun Hai Fung, Ph.D., professor of biostatistics, epidemiology and environmental health sciences, whose work was cited in the surgeon general’s initial report.

“Dr. Fung is an excellent epidemiologist, and he also works with large data sets,” Mayo-Gamble said. “That’s exactly what this project needed.”

The group reviewed post-COVID research and existing federal laws before recommending a comprehensive media literacy program. It would target students in grades 4 through 12 and be developed by the Georgia Department of Education. Mayo-Gamble said the curriculum would teach healthy social media habits, privacy protection skills and problematic use patterns.    

“A program like this would be extremely important,” she said. “That’s what public health is; it’s more than research, it’s about having the chance to impact people’s lives.”

They also recommended continued funding for research and monitoring social media’s impact on youth. The collected data would be used to inform future policy development as technologies continue to grow. But these benefits extend beyond informing policymakers. 

“Research like this is meant to support communication between parents and their children,” Mayo-Gamble said. “I do think that a lot of parents worry if they’re doing the right thing for their kids. So if there’s an opportunity to educate parents about something that impacts their ability to be a good parent, I think that’s the type of research we should be doing.”

A new 91ɬ�� study suggests that long-standing differences in maternal and child health, specifically breastfeeding rates, may help explain why some communities were affected more severely by COVID-19 than others.

Led by faculty in the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, the study found that Georgia counties with lower breastfeeding initiation rates experienced higher COVID-19 cases and related mortalities across the overall county population.

Published in the scientific journal Breastfeeding Medicine, examined COVID-19 cases and death rates across all 159 counties in Georgia, from March 2020 through February 2022. 

“Our findings show a strong association at the community level,” said lead author and Professor of Health Policy and Community Health Joanne Chopak-Foss, Ph.D. “It raises important questions about how early-life health investments, like breastfeeding support, contribute to long-term resilience and health outcomes.”

Counties were grouped by breastfeeding rates and compared after accounting for demographics and public health interventions. The research team, which included JPHCOPH master’s and doctoral students, analyzed more than 2 million reported COVID-19 cases. They found the biggest differences in rural communities, a gap the researchers also link to social factors such as income and healthcare infrastructure.

“COVID-19 exposed structural inequalities that existed long before the pandemic,” said co-author and Professor of Epidemiology Jian Zhang, M.D. “Our work suggests that breastfeeding support may be an underrecognized component of community preparedness, one that warrants further research and sustained public health investment.”

Although the study does not prove that breastfeeding directly prevents COVID-19 infection, it adds to growing evidence that breastfeeding may provide health benefits that extend beyond infancy. 

“Breastfeeding is one of the earliest and most sustainable investments communities can make in health,” said Nandi A. Marshall, DrPH, MPH, JPHCOPH associate dean and president of the American Public Health Association. 

“These findings remind us that support for breastfeeding may generate benefits that may contribute to stronger, healthier, and more resilient communities over the long term.”

Building on this research, the team looks to expand its work beyond Georgia to examine whether similar patterns exist nationwide and how these results can guide future public health planning.

“Looking at data across the country helps us see the bigger picture,” Chopak-Foss said. “We hope our findings will provide new insights and contribute to the national conversation.”

Mambwe Mutiti grew up in Zambia, where every day she saw how service could transform lives. Her father is a doctor; her mother is a nurse and some of her close relatives work in higher education. Surrounded by these examples of service, Mutiti developed a deep appreciation for learning and a desire to help others.

“I’ve always loved helping people, especially when it comes to navigating their health,” Mutiti said. “I knew a traditional clinical setting wasn’t the right fit for me, but public health felt like the closest match to my passions. I’m also deeply curious about how and why people make certain health decisions. This degree feels like the perfect blend of my interests and curiosity.”

That clarity led her to 91ɬ��, where she completed her Master of Public Health in 2022 and will be awarded a Doctor of Public Health from the at the Fall 2025 Commencement ceremony. Coming to Georgia Southern, Mutiti knew that she wanted more than a degree. She wanted connection and community.

“I wanted a graduate experience on a lively, engaging campus, and Georgia Southern delivered exactly that,” said the outgoing doctoral student. “From the start, I felt that the student experience here was vibrant and inclusive, no matter your classification.”

Guided by that sense of belonging, Mutiti seized opportunities to serve. She became active in the Public Health Student Association and spent two years as the community engagement chair for the Maternal and Child Health Student Interest Group. In that position, she planned events and donation drives that provided direct support to mothers and children in the Statesboro area.

“These experiences were especially meaningful to me because I excel in spaces centered on service and leadership,” she shared. “Having the opportunity to remain deeply involved on campus as a graduate student was a privilege I truly valued.”

Along with her deep commitment to community health, sustainability education became another place where Mutiti’s passion came alive. While earning her degrees at Georgia Southern, she spent three years as a graduate assistant in the Office of Leadership and Community Engagement (OLCE), helping launch the Sustain Southern program and revitalize sustainability education on the Statesboro Campus.

“The Campus Community Garden is truly my pride and joy,” she said. “Managing the space and helping meet students’ access needs brought me so much fulfillment. I managed the garden for three years, and I loved every person who came out to help, learn and grow in that space. It was one of the most meaningful parts of my time on campus.”

To Mutiti, sustainability and community health are closely interconnected. They reinforce one another, she explained, and strong sustainability practices can significantly improve a community’s overall well-being.

“My interests center on improving access to essential resources — whether related to food, medical care or social support — and sustainability plays an important role in making those resources more accessible, equitable and reliable for everyone,” she added.

Mutiti is in her fourth year in OLCE, where she has been a full-time employee since September as the sustainability and leadership coordinator. In addition to overseeing the Campus Community Garden, she manages a 12-student sustainability leadership certificate program. She noted a favorite activity “is teaching students how to make candles out of equitably sourced materials.”

The public health graduate holds a deep appreciation for Georgia Southern and the faculty who shaped her academic journey. She describes the University as “a breeding ground for success,” crediting her professors for providing consistent support and opportunities.

“The completion of the practicum gave me what I call ‘real life experience,’ allowing me to apply concepts from classes in front of real people and in real-life situations,” she said.

With commencement day approaching, Mutiti looks forward to celebrating with her family. She knows that the moment she receives her diploma, she will be filled with pride, gratitude and relief.

“I will be over the moon and completely proud of myself for doing this and being done,” she said. “That excitement of being done is a common feeling for anyone completing a doctorate or Ph.D.  I’m trying to remain grounded and enjoy this accomplishment before moving on to the next task.”

Nandi A. Marshall, DrPH, professor and associate dean for 91ɬ��’s Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, has been named president of the American Public Health Association (APHA), the nation’s oldest and largest organization of public health professionals.

Marshall began her presidential term on Nov. 5, following a year as president-elect. She will serve a three-year term on APHA’s executive board, including her current presidential year and a subsequent year as immediate past president.

With more than two decades of experience in community-engaged public health, Marshall is widely recognized for her leadership in advancing maternal and child health equity, and for her dedication to preparing the next generation of the public health workforce. She holds a bachelor’s in religious studies from Spelman College, a master’s in public health from East Stroudsburg University and a Doctor of Public Health from Georgia Southern.

“Dr. Marshall’s appointment to lead APHA is a tremendous national recognition of her contribution to public health — and a reflection of Georgia Southern’s growing impact on the global public health landscape,” said Avinandan Mukherjee, Ph.D., provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs. “Her commitment to community partnership, workforce development and health equity exemplifies the values we strive to instill in every graduate of our distinctive public health college.”

Marshall’s work has centered on bridging lived experience and scientific research to drive equitable health outcomes. 

“I’m deeply honored to serve as APHA president,” Marshall said. “Public health calls us to listen to communities, honor their wisdom and work together to build the equitable systems that recognize health as a human right. Equity is not an outcome — it’s a commitment. And I’m grateful to continue this work with purpose, courage and love alongside partners across the country.”

Founded in 1872, APHA represents more than 25,000 members nationwide, serving as a convener, catalyst and advocate for equitable health and well-being for all. The association connects practitioners, researchers, educators and policymakers to advance evidence-based public health initiatives.

“Recovery is real,” said Julia Curiel, 91ɬ�� Center for Addiction Recovery (CAR) program coordinator.

That’s the message she and other speakers will share with the Georgia Southern community at the upcoming . The event takes place on Thursday, Sept. 18, from noon to 3 p.m. at the on the Statesboro Campus.

The event will feature information tables from 20 local organizations and Georgia Southern departments offering and supporting addiction and recovery resources for students. Attendees can also enjoy free pizza, refreshments and testimonials from individuals with recovery experiences. Live music will be provided from Rachel Elkins, a Georgia Southern student and member of local band, The Ripleys. 

The goal is to raise awareness of the University’s collegiate recovery program, True Blue Recovery at the CAR. Organizers said the event will celebrate recovery and emphasize that it is not only possible but also relevant and accessible for college students.

“The recovery community in Statesboro is thriving, and we want to showcase and celebrate that recovery is real and possible for everyone, including college students,” said Curiel.

For organizers, the picnic is more than an opportunity to share resources and promote recovery. It reflects decades of research and program development that have supported many students in recovery. Research from the has shown that students who participate in collegiate recovery programs tend to achieve higher GPAs, graduate at higher rates and benefit from a strong support system that reinforces their recovery journey.

“The reason collegiate recovery programs work is because they offer students a supportive peer community and an alternative social environment, which is one that helps them navigate a campus culture where substance use can be a part of social life,” said Robert Bohler, Ph.D., CAR executive director and Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health assistant professor. “In our program, we create opportunities for students to build meaningful connections and positive social support.”

Part of what makes the True Blue Recovery program successful is that it is shaped by people who have personally benefited from it. Both Curiel and Bohler are in long-term recovery. Nearly 10 years ago, Bohler found the help he needed through True Blue Recovery, along with a passion for developing programs that assist students when they need it most. Curiel, a Certified Addiction Recovery Empowerment Specialist, said her years of work have given her the honor of witnessing many people transform their lives in recovery.

“The state of Georgia is actually leading the way nationally in the recovery movement in regards to people getting in recovery, sustaining recovery and advocating for recovery publicly,” said Curiel. “We have done a lot of work in this state to make that known to the larger population. I’m so grateful to be a part of it.”

The resource fair is funded by a grant from the Georgia Council for Recovery and the Georgia Department for Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.

CAR, part of the  Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, provides recovery support services to college students in recovery from alcohol and drug addiction. The center also works to increase the knowledge and understanding of addiction and recovery among students, researchers, clinicians and the rural community through education and translational research. For more information on CAR, visit this webpage.

When Professor Worlanyo Eric Gato, Ph.D., watches his students walk through the iron gates of Cape Coast Castle for the first time, he doesn’t say much. He doesn’t have to.

“They feel it,” he says. “You can see it in their faces.”

That moment — walking the same stone floors where generations of enslaved Africans once stood — is just one of many that define 91ɬ��’s Study Abroad Program in Ghana, a three-week immersive experience blending public health research, cultural engagement and emotional growth. Led by a multidisciplinary team of faculty from the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health (JPHCOPH), the College of Science and Mathematics (COSM) and the Institute for Water and Health (IWH), the program gives students more than academic insight. It gives them perspective.

Originally founded by the late Evans Afriyie-Gyawu, Ph.D., the Ghana Study Abroad Program has evolved into a high-impact educational model under the direction of JPHCOPH faculty members Bettye Apenteng, Ph.D., and Samuel Opoku, Ph.D., along with Gato. Their shared mission is clear: foster cultural awareness and empower students to address complex global health challenges — starting with those rooted in Ghana’s communities.

Real research, real impact

The program’s 2025 cohort took part in a collaborative research project centered on occupational and environmental exposures, particularly in illegal mining zones in Ghana’s Ashanti Region. Funded by Georgia Southern’s Internal Seed Funds, the IWH and the Office of Research and Economic Development, the project explored the relationship between water and soil-borne contaminants and chronic health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and metabolic syndrome.

“This wasn’t a simulation, this was the real thing,” said Nick Guerra, a graduate student studying public health. “We were in the field, collecting water samples, interviewing residents and working side by side with Ghanaian students.”

Their findings were sobering. Water samples from community wells revealed contamination by fecal bacteria. Soil tests uncovered dangerously high levels of heavy metals — arsenic, lead, copper, mercury — linked to illegal mining activities. And medical surveys showed widespread hypertension, often undiagnosed or untreated.

What made the work even more meaningful was its collaborative nature. Georgia Southern students were paired with their counterparts at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), building not only research teams but friendships.

“We taught each other,” said Tia Taylor, another graduate student in the public health program. “We shared techniques, ideas and stories. They were just as curious about us as we were about them.”

For Gato, the partnerships are central to the program’s success. “It’s not just about coming to Ghana and collecting data,” he said. “It’s about mutual exchange — of knowledge, of culture, of purpose.”

Learning beyond the classroom

Beyond the data and research, the students’ most lasting lessons often came from unexpected places: dinner tables, prayer circles and dirt roads deep in rural Ghana.

One night, when their van got stuck on an unpaved road, a group of local young men came to the rescue. 

“There was no tow truck, no roadside assistance,” Gato recalled. “Just kindness. The kind of kindness that stays with you.”

Hospitality became a theme. Students dined with host families, learned about traditional dishes and participated in household prayer rituals. They shared laughs, tears and silent moments of awe.

“These interactions humanized the experience,” Gato said. “Ghana became more than a destination — it became a network of relationships.”

Taylor agreed. 

“Their warmth was overwhelming,” she said. “Their faith, constant. It made me want to pray more, to be more grounded. It changed the way I see people — and myself.”

Cultural immersion meets academic rigor

In classrooms and research sites alike, students embraced a multidisciplinary lens. Their work spanned biochemistry, environmental science and public health — and was guided by faculty from three academic units. Each stop on the itinerary was carefully chosen, from university campuses to cultural landmarks, to create a holistic picture of health in Ghana.

Aslan, who led the environmental assessment and coordinated teams of students from both KNUST and Georgia Southern during the research leg, carried both personal and scientific aspirations into the study.

“Thirteen years ago, when I began my journey at Georgia Southern as a new faculty member, we launched a water quality and health assessment with the late Dr. Afriyie-Gyawu,” Aslan said. “That project produced an impactful research paper with students — one that still receives high citations today. Now, years later, to be collaborating with an exceptional team of new research partners from KNUST on such a cutting-edge project is beyond exciting. This project is a testament to IWH’s commitment to advancing global water initiatives, as our center continues to make a meaningful impact in Georgia and around the world.”

For Guerra, that meant recognizing how social and economic conditions shape public health outcomes. 

“Some of the people we interviewed looked decades older than they were,” he said. “It hit me — poverty and limited access to health care age you.”

Taylor, whose background is in health leadership, said the trip helped her mature both personally and professionally. 

“It’s one thing to read about global health challenges in a textbook,” she said. “It’s another to sit with someone, hold their hand and ask about their blood pressure.”

Growing the pipeline

The program’s future is just as ambitious as its present.

In its next phase, the Ghana Study Abroad Program plans to expand its reach to students from Georgia Southern’s Africana Studies Program and institutions across south Georgia, broadening access to underrepresented populations. New research partnerships with the University of Cape Coast and the University of Health and Allied Sciences in Ho, Ghana, will allow for more geographically diverse studies. The goal, according to Gato, is to build a sustainable pipeline for interdisciplinary, international collaboration.

“This is more than a trip. It’s a launchpad,” he said.

With strong institutional support from the Director of the IWH and faculty member within JPHCOPH Asli Aslan, Ph.D., the Dean of JPHCOPH Stuart Tedders, Ph.D., and Vice President for Research and Economic Development David Weindorf, Ph.D., the program exemplifies Georgia Southern’s commitment to global engagement. Even the logistical hiccups — missed flights, shifting hotel reservations, slow internet — became part of the learning process.

“We adapted,” Gato said. “We smiled through it. And we came back stronger.”

Advice for other faculty

When asked what he’d tell faculty thinking about launching their own global experiential learning program, Gato’s answer is simple: know your “why,” build your team and lead with gratitude.

“Let your local partners lead,” he said. “Listen more than you speak. And always thank the people who make the experience possible — from bus drivers to tour guides to the students themselves.”

A lasting legacy

For some, like Taylor, the trip was a connection to ancestral roots. For others, like Guerra, it was a journey into a future career in global health. And for faculty like Gato, it was another step in a long walk toward transformative education — one that transcends borders, disciplines and expectations.

“Everything we teach in a lecture hall comes alive in Ghana,” he said. 

On April 9, the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health celebrated by highlighting the work of some of its student scholars in its first annual Creative Scholars Showcase. 

The showcase aligned with the national theme “Protecting, Connecting, and Thriving,” and explored a myriad of topics with local and global implications, including access to mental health services in rural areas, domestic violence prevention, and methods to combat food insecurity in foreign countries.

In his opening remarks, the college’s Dean Stuart Tedders, Ph.D, spoke of Georgia Southern’s “quest” to raise its research profile and the importance of combining research and practical experience.

“The thing that excites me the most about this creative scholars’ showcase is the coupling of research and practice,” he said. “Both are very important, but when you combine the two, the knowledge gained in research can be used to make a difference in the real world.”

Emmanuel Azu, is pursuing a doctorate in public health with a focus on biostatistics and is among the students working to make that difference. He presented his research on the efficacy of school feeding programs in Nigeria, an experience that has been an invaluable stepping stone in his professional and academic career.

“My current research has really helped me improve my writing and presentation skills,” he explained. 

Azu added that opportunities to communicate with the public have served as essential points of connection in his career, something befitting of this year’s theme.

“My ultimate professional goal is to optimize health data management in underserved communities, he said. “To do that, you have to be able to relate to the community, and platforms like these  give me the confidence to talk about my research in public and even connect with people of different backgrounds.”

The intersection of communication and public health is also particularly poignant for

Tobi Oloyede, a second-year DrPH student focusing on community health. She presented a poster highlighting her practice experience with .

Oloyede’s project originated from a communications and advocacy class. She worked with staff at Child Advocacy Services in Statesboro to create fact sheets that would be used as a part of a larger communications plan by the organization to prevent child abuse.

Oloyede emphasized the value of working and learning in the community. 

“This experience taught me about the power of combining data and design,” she said. “Before, I just thought it was a matter of using Canva to create something that looked good. It turned out to require a lot more precision. Our design and language were inspired by the data and specific objectives we had to reach the community.”

Plenary speaker Stacy Smallwood, Ph.D, also reiterated the benefits of a multidisciplinary approach to public health. He currently serves as the executive director of the Wake Forest School of Divinity’s Faith COMPASS Center.

Smallwood spoke about the Center’s efforts to end the stigma around HIV/AIDS in the South, and the vital role faith communities can play in empowering those who may be dealing with illness and social marginalization.

The importance of communication and connection in addressing public health challenges and improving outcomes is something that Research Associate Dean , recognizes, and it is in part why she spearheaded the effort to make the Creative Scholars Showcase happen.

“Our faculty mentor students in practice, engagement, and research initiatives,” she said. “The Showcase provides a platform to share the results and foster collaborations within the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health and the Georgia Southern community. Through this initiative, we believe students learn the value of dissemination and their role in enhancing the college’s research profile.”

Shaped by the resilient spirit of her Gullah Geechee heritage in Harris Neck, Georgia, Kay’La Brennon’s path at 91ɬ�� has been one of self-discovery. Although she initially applied as a nursing major, her first semester as an undeclared major revealed her true calling: public health.

Reflecting on this shift, Brennon shared, “What pivoted me was realizing that I wanted to become a physician. After becoming involved in research, I realized I wanted to become a physician-scientist, leading me to find the major that would allow me to fulfill these passions and interests. Public health is an interdisciplinary field that allows me to fuse all my identities and interests in uplifting communities.”

Taking dual enrollment courses in high school enabled Brennon to start her college career early and quickly dive into research, the invaluable hands-on learning experience Georgia Southern provides undergraduates and graduate students.

“Joining research projects my freshman year and attending and presenting at conferences ignited my passion for it,” she recalled. “I wanted a career where I could impact patients directly through patient care and breakthroughs, and developments in research.”

In her years at Georgia Southern, Brennon was an Honors College student, Goel Scholar and chaired the Dean’s Student Advisory Committee, which provides a forum for students to address their concerns in the .

Now that she is graduating this May with a bachelor’s degree Brennon admits her years of study have been filled with challenges, victories and failures. But the confidence she gained is what surprised her most.

“I’m from a very rural county and have been pretty shy and reserved my whole life,” the public health scholar explained. “Being in college, I’ve broken out of my shell and gotten to know so many amazing people and shown my leadership skills in many positions. From starting an organization on campus, Resourceful Ambassadors of Medicine (RAM), to joining my illustrious and impactful sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (AKA), I’ve spread my wings and seen my own capabilities.”

During her time on the Statesboro Campus, Brennon actively engaged in opportunities that fostered her commitment to service, including leading volunteer trips with Serve912, and participating in the Southern Leaders program. Those experiences resonated deeply with her involvement in AKA, a sorority with service at its foundation.

“Part of its purpose is service to all mankind,” Brennon stated. “One big principle in my life is community, and that is where my heart is… and so being a part of this sisterhood, I could impact the community.”

Brennon’s journey at Georgia Southern was deeply influenced by her upbringing. Born in Angleton, Texas, and raised with both an older sister and an older brother, she experienced both joy and sorrow. Her brother passed away at age 19. Her family returned to Harris Neck near Savannah, Georgia, to help care for her grandmother who had Alzheimer’s disease. Still, the new graduate remembers her early life warmly. 

“My childhood was always filled with family, love and joy no matter the circumstances, she said. “My family has always supported each other, with prayer being in the midst of it all.”

These strong family bonds instilled in her a remarkable resilience, a quality she identifies as a significant achievement during her college years.

“Even when things get tough, and they surely do, I find a way to get things done,” she affirmed, adding that she credits her mother’s strength and caring for her drive and motivation. “She’s the kindest, strongest and most loving person I know, so I am honored to be her daughter and make her proud. I thank her and my Oma for their support and desire to see me succeed.”

As she looks back, Brennon recognizes her time at Georgia Southern has been transformative, extending far beyond academics. She acknowledged, “My perception of myself has changed. I’ve learned more about my capabilities and what I used to perceive as possible. I have no doctors in my family, which played into the reason I applied to Georgia Southern as a nursing major. I did not see being a physician, let alone a physician-scientist, as a possibility.”

Brennon is ready to embark on a future she once didn’t imagine. She will work as a Doctoral Diversity Program Scholar at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore and is eager to impact a new community through her research and volunteer efforts.

Georgia is in the midst of an opioid crisis. However, widespread implementation of public health interventions is creating a positive impact, with opioid overdose deaths declining sharply in the state since mid-2023. 91ɬ��’s Center for Addiction Recovery, housed in the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health (JPHCPH), continues to be involved in translational research, helping Georgia respond to this public health emergency. The program has received nearly $800,000 in funding across four projects through Georgia’s Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust. The work officially begins this month and will continue over the next two years.

The research team includes Robert Bohler, Ph.D., and William Mase, DrPH, from the Department of Health Policy and Community Health in the JPHCPH, and Ryan Lofaro, Ph.D., from the Department of Public and Nonprofit Studies in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences. The four projects include:

-A two-year initiative to help critical access hospitals in rural areas of Georgia better respond to the opioid crisis in their communities;

-An 18-month training program to help recovery community organizations enhance the operation of their nonprofit organizations;

-A one-year research project to generate foundational knowledge on harm reduction services in Georgia;

-A two-year project to fund the enhancement of the collegiate recovery program at Georgia Southern.

There are 30 critical access hospitals across Georgia playing a crucial role in providing health care services in rural communities, including addiction prevention and treatment. The critical access hospital project, led by Mase, aims to improve these rural hospitals’ response to the opioid crisis and other substance-related issues by increasing prescription opioid safety and providing users with evidence-based addiction treatment. Specific attention will be given to opioid education, prevention, treatment and harm-reduction strategies in Georgia’s rural communities served by this network.

“Our established relationships with critical access hospital leadership statewide provide an opportunity to promote positive change concerning opioid use and overdose prevention,” Mase said. “We are honored to have been selected by Georgia’s Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust to do this important work to improve the well-being of community residents and reduce the financial and capacity strain placed on the state’s rural hospital network.”

Recovery community organizations like Freedom Through Recovery in Statesboro offer vital recovery support services to individuals with substance use disorders. The recovery community organization project, led by Lofaro in collaboration with Tina Patterson, Ph.D., Candice Bodkin, Ph.D.. and Cary Christian, Ph.D., from the Department of Public and Nonprofit Studies, aims to develop and implement a training and education series for organization directors and staff in Georgia. The goal of the initiative is to enhance skills related to managing organizational operations and services for individuals with opioid use disorder.

“Recovery community organizations do truly inspiring addiction and recovery work in our communities,” Lofaro said. “We hope to survey and interview directors about their organizational management needs, then apply our expertise to develop targeted training programs and a report with best practices.”

He added that their goal is to complement their knowledge in addiction and recovery with nonprofit management skills.

Harm reduction services, such as distributing naloxone to reverse an opioid overdose, are a critical component in addressing the opioid crisis. The harm reduction project, led by Bohler, aims to map harm reduction services in Georgia, with a particular focus on rural areas. In addition, the project will document state and local policies that may hinder or facilitate access to these services and examine the state’s harm reduction workforce through a statewide survey.

“Harm reduction services save lives and can be an important touchpoint to link people to addiction treatment and other services,” Bohler said. “Our project will help us better understand these services in Georgia and provide actionable recommendations for their expansion.”

Collegiate recovery programs offer services, resources, community and programming for students to ensure they are able to both sustain their recovery and complete their education. Georgia Southern has had a collegiate recovery program since 2008. The new funding through Georgia’s Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust will sustain and enhance services offered to students. It will also help promote the program so that current and future college students at Georgia Southern can benefit.

“The collegiate recovery program at Georgia Southern has played a huge role in my success as a student, graduate assistant and a person in recovery,” said Tom Harris, a Master of Public Health student and member of the collegiate recovery program. “This new funding will expand access to the support and resources students need to thrive in these areas.”

Bohler has had the chance to watch multiple students involved in this program flourish by getting their college degrees, then going on to build successful careers.

“I am excited that we will be able to continue to offer these opportunities to current and future college students in recovery so that they can experience the same successes,” he said.