![Photo Courtney Haun](https://www.samford.edu/Templates/images/3x2.png)
Patient Experience in Focus: Samford Professor Courtney Haun's Study Published in Patient Experience Journal
A recent study by Courtney Haun, assistant professor and director of Samford University's undergraduate health care administration program, was recently published in the latest issue of Patient Experience Journal (PXJ), an international, open-access, peer-reviewed publication focused on research and proven practices related to understanding and improving patient experience.
![Photo Samford University Belltower Icon](https://www.samford.edu/Templates/images/3x2.png)
Samford Hosts Two Summer Cooking Camps for Teens
Samford University's Wellness Kitchen was cooking up some fun in June at the 2024 Summer Teen Cooking Camp. Over two weeklong sessions, more than 65 kids, ages 11-16, enjoyed cooking alongside registered dietitian-nutritionists to learn how to build delicious and nutritious plates for meals and snacks.
![Photo Harper Simmons speaking at Conference](https://www.samford.edu/Templates/images/3x2.png)
The Power of Carrots: Samford Student Presents Research at NUTRITION 2024 Conference
Mary Harper Simmons, a Master of Science in Nutrition student at Samford University, recently presented her research on the consumption of baby carrots and their impact on skin carotenoid levels at NUTRITION 2024, the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition held June 29-July 2 in Chicago.
![Photo professor ratcliffe with student grace colyar](https://www.samford.edu/Templates/images/3x2.png)
Samford Health Informatics and Analytics Student Explores the Effects of Game Start Time on Basketball Performance
Does the timing of a game significantly impact athletic performance? Grace Colyar, who recently graduated Samford University’s School of Public Health with a Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics and Analytics and a concentration in sports injury prevention analytics, researched "Effects of Game Start Time on Basketball Metrics" to find out.
![Photo DR04272024739](https://www.samford.edu/Templates/images/3x2.png)
CHS Recognizes 587 Graduates During Spring Commencement Ceremonies
Samford University's College of Health Sciences (CHS) held its spring pinning, hooding and commencement ceremonies from April 25-27.
![Photo Caroline Bennett Colliquia](https://www.samford.edu/Templates/images/3x2.png)
Samford Public Health Student Garners Top Graduate Honors at Student Research Colloquia
Samford University hosted its 3rd annual Student Research Colloquia on April 19. Caroline Bennett, Master of Social Work candidate in the School of Public Health, presented her project, "Overcoming Vicarious Trauma: Resources Utilized by Law Enforcement Officers," receiving top honors for her research inspired by her own life experience.
![Photo Student Research Presentation GE6A6327](https://www.samford.edu/Templates/images/3x2.png)
Samford Colloquia Celebrates Student Research
On Friday, April 19, Samford University hosted its 3rd annual Student Research Colloquia, held in the Davis Library. More than 90 students and student groups prepared poster presentations spanning 21 categories ranging from analytics to exercise science to social work.
![Photo De escalation event 2024](https://www.samford.edu/Templates/images/3x2.png)
Samford Students Receive Certification and Training on Trauma and Crisis De-escalation
Hundreds of Samford students, first responders, ministers, law enforcement and other area professionals gathered in the Leslie S. Wright Center to learn about supporting children and adolescents who have experienced a crisis or trauma.
![Photo Pellegrino recipient and friends DR02092024699](https://www.samford.edu/Templates/images/3x2.png)
2024 HEAL Conference Examines Gun Violence from a Public Health Perspective
Gun violence is a leading cause of premature death in the United States. This year's Healthcare Ethics and Law (HEAL) Institute conference, Gun Violence and Health Care: A Public Health Issue? explored the challenges around preventing firearm injury and death.
![Photo Nijay Headshot](https://www.samford.edu/Templates/images/3x2.png)
Samford University Provost Distinguished Lecture Returns March 14
Samford University's Office of the Provost Distinguished Lecture series returns on Thursday, March 14, in partnership with Howard College of Arts and Sciences Department of Biblical and Religious Studies. Nijay K. Gupta, PhD, a professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary, will be the guest speaker.
![Photo white coat dietetic program DR01122024542](https://www.samford.edu/Templates/images/3x2.png)
Dietetic Internship Class of 2024 Presented with White Coats
Samford University’s School of Public Health presented their 2024 Dietetic Internship (DI) class with a White Coat ceremony on January 12. During the ceremony, interns were presented with their signature white coats ahead of their supervised practice rotations.
![Photo Troy Nelson](https://www.samford.edu/Templates/images/3x2.png)
Samford Master of Healthcare Administration Alumnus Selected as Administrative Fellow
Samford University Master of Healthcare Administration alumnus Troy Nelson, MHA ’23, was recently selected as an administrative fellow at Whitfield Regional Hospital in Demopolis, Alabama, making him the first healthcare administration graduate from Samford selected for an administrative fellowship.
![Photo Students Planting Seeds In Wellness Garden](https://www.samford.edu/Templates/images/3x2.png)
Samford Wellness Garden Plants Seeds of Community
The Samford Wellness Garden is an oasis of sustainability and interprofessional community for Samford University. Clara Darling, director of the Samford Wellness kitchen, received a grant for the garden last year and it has flourished ever since.
![Photo Poverty Simulation Female Student and Female Teacher](https://www.samford.edu/Templates/images/3x2.png)
Innovative Methods for Understanding: How Samford Students Gain Practical Skills and Perspective
On Oct. 24, students from Samford’s Micah Fellows program, School of Public Health and Orlean Beeson School of Education came together to engage in a unique instructional exercise known as a poverty simulation.
![Photo President Taylor at opening convo DR08222023055](https://www.samford.edu/Templates/images/3x2.png)
Samford Celebrates 182nd Opening Convocation
Samford University officially began the fall 2023 semester with the 182nd opening convocation on Aug. 22. In his third year as president, Beck A. Taylor gave the opening address where he announced faith as the theme for the 2023-24 academic year.
![Photo Four Nursing Students Caring For Patient](https://www.samford.edu/Templates/images/3x2.png)
Experiential Learning and Simulation Center in Samford University’s College of Health Sciences Receives Accreditation
The Experiential Learning and Simulation Center in Samford University’s College of Health Sciences is now one of the four accredited academic health care centers in Alabama and one of only 300 accredited centers in the world.
![Photo liza nicholson drph](https://www.samford.edu/Templates/images/3x2.png)
Degree of Success: Samford Public Health Alumna Goes Global with Dr.P.H.
When she enrolled in Samford University’s School of Public Health, Liza Pugh Nicholson had business to attend to. As founder and CEO of Avail Management Services, a Tuscaloosa, Ala.-based health care management company, Nicholson, Dr.P.H. ’22, had already established herself as a leader in her field.
![Photo carol ratcliffe 60for60](https://www.samford.edu/Templates/images/3x2.png)
Carol Ratcliffe Named ‘60 for 60’ Honoree by University of Alabama Black Alumni Association
Carol Ratcliffe, professor and chair of Samford University’s Department of Healthcare Administration and Analytics, was selected as a 60 for 60 honoree in recognition of the 60th year of integration at the University of Alabama.