Managing in Turbulent Times: Emerging Leaders in Public Health

Alumni

Gerri A. Cannon-Smith, MD, MPHGerri A. Cannon-Smith, MD, MPH
Assistant Professor, School of Health Sciences, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS

Area of work: Behavioral and Environmental Health

I am an Assistant Professor at Jackson State University School of Health Sciences, having greater than twenty years experience as a public health clinician and administrator. My clinical experience has greatly shaped my clinical and public health research interests. As a result, my commitment to preventive strategies and increasing health literacy among the poor, underserved, uninsured and underinsured vulnerable populations - particularly children - in rural Mississippi, has intensified. Central to making this happen is achieving a high quality-of-life and healthy living.  As a society, we cannot afford to lose a generation due to poor lifestyles as a result of the many environmental factors that shape health.  I am therefore very interested in behavioral change approaches targeting children and their families.  Behavioral change approaches of particular interest include those that focus on  strategies that decrease children's risk of obesity and its consequences (e.g., cardiovascular disease, hypertension, stroke, diabetes, and cancer), many of which are experienced in adulthood but greatly influenced during early years of childhood development. Other strategies include the enhancement of self-management skills in children with chronic conditions such as asthma. Serving in professional leadership (Chair, MS AAP Public Health Committee, President Delta SOPHE), instructional and service roles are integral in this effort.

Personal Information

My husband and I have been married for 30 years and have two daughters.  Hobbies are crafts, history, art, reading, and traveling.

What I would like to get out of this program

I am a firm believer in the old adage, that "anything worth doing is worth doing well". I feel that the skills acquired during this fellowship will help me to integrate resources more effectively and enhance current and future service and advocacy roles. My mantra and ultimate goal is that every child should reach his or her optimal potential. Having completed several pilot projects, I would like to expand their efficacy and sphere of influence.

In rural Mississippi, our challenges are complex and dynamic, thus requiring creative, cost effective and practical interventions utilizing not only the primary care provider as lifestyle interventionist but incorporating all environmental, academic, and community resources. As a participant in this fellowship program, I look forward to accelerated professional growth in order to better serve among many desiring to meet those challenges.