SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES
Hofstra University’s School of Health Sciences is proud to offer events in celebration of the American Public Health Association’s observation of National Public Health Week.

2026 National Public Health Week Event Series
Hofstra University
Theme: Ready. Set. Action!
Week Prior to NPHW – Monday, March 30th – Tuesday, April 7th
Stop by the School of Health Sciences student organization tables and see how we’re celebrating National Public Health Week!
RSVP not required.
(Student Center Atrium)
Throughout National Public Health Week
Monday, April 6th to Wednesday April 15th
Teams of 2-5 people including current undergraduate or graduate students, faculty and staff are invited to participate. The goal of the challenge is to accumulate as many steps as possible each day throughout the challenge.
In recognition of Exercise is Medicine Month in Spring 2026 and National Public Health Week in April 2026 (and the collaborative advocacy efforts exercise and public health professionals conduct in promoting active lifestyles for better health) the Exercise is Medicine on Hofstra Campus Club, the Pre-Physical Therapy Club and the Future Healthcare Leaders (undergraduate Exercise Physiology and graduate Health Administration program student clubs) will be sponsoring the Steps Plus: Hofstra Fitness and Health Challenge. This is a team competition from Monday April 6th to Wednesday April 15th, 2026. Teams of 2-5 people including current undergraduate or graduate students, faculty and staff are invited to participate.
The goal of the challenge is to accumulate as many steps as possible each day throughout the two weeks (a team average for each day will be recorded). In addition to steps acquired through walking, jogging, and other activities throughout the day, steps will be ‘awarded’ for time spent participating in mental health promotion activities and for completing health challenges posted daily on the Steps Plus Canvas page. Gift prizes of $150, $100, and $50 will be awarded to the teams finishing 1st, 2nd, and 3rd! To sign up, please go to: hofstra.edu/stepsplus (or https://hofstra.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5dpztcTLAxE9A4S). ALL team members must sign up individually.
This event is FREE but we would request each person participating donate a non-perishable food item for donation to the Hofstra University Pride Pantry located in the Hofstra Dome. Please direct any questions to Dr. Katie Sell at Katie.Sell@hofstra.edu.

HOFSTRA COMMUNITY ONLY
Wednesday, April 8
An interactive learning experience that helps participants better understand the daily challenges and complex decisions faced by individuals and families living with limited financial resources.
(HofUSA)
This event is open to a limited number of observers. OBSERVERS MUST REGISTER. If interested, please contact Jacklyn Kuehn at jacklyn.kuehn@hofstra.edu.
Student participant registration was required in order to attend this event. Interested faculty who would like to bring their class to a poverty simulation offered by SHS in the future are encouraged to contact Dr. Jacklyn Kuehn at Jacklyn.Kuehn@hofstra.edu.
Come watch (and vote!) on films created by teams of students from across Hofstra University compete for best short video, addressing the 2026 theme: “Ready. Set. Action!” – calling on communities to reflect on public health progress, support the professionals who protect our health, and take steps toward a healthier future for all. A professional panel of judges will award prizes to the winning videos on April 8th.
(Student Center Theater)
Participants will learn to recognize life-threatening situations and receive certification in CPR/AED and choking skills through the Emergency Care and Safety Institute (valid for two years). Additionally, students will be trained to identify opioid overdoses and administer Narcan. Each participant will receive a Narcan kit, and certification will be provided by the NYS Opioid Overdose Prevention Program. Limited to 15 people.
Public health crises can emerge from a variety of triggers, including infectious disease outbreaks, environmental disasters, population displacement, and political instability. Effective management of these crises requires a comprehensive understanding of their underlying causes and the development of robust strategies to mitigate their impact. The panelists will explore key triggers of public health crises, including political drivers, and outline effective management strategies.
(Cultural Center Theater; A Zoom link option is available; Link provided upon registration.)
Public health is a diverse field that encompasses a variety of career paths, spanning from healthcare and research to non-profit organizations. This event will give attendees exposure to a diverse array of public health careers. The public health career panel will allow attendees to listen, ask questions and engage with public health professionals working across the core disciplines of public health. This is an opportunity you do not want to miss! This event is sponsored by Hofstra’s Delta Kappa Chapter of the Delta Omega Public Health Honors Society at Hofstra.
Open to Hofstra Students Only.
(Virtual – Zoom link provided upon registration.)
Thursday, April 9th
Half-day mini-conference that brings together health, nutrition, and community leaders from across Long Island to explore how Food as Medicine can reduce health disparities and improve community wellbeing. The program will feature a keynote address, panel discussions on local initiatives and cross-sector partnerships. Attendees will gain insights into evidence-based strategies and opportunities to collaborate in advancing food equity and nutrition security in the region.
(Multipurpose Room 101 and Student Center Theater Lobby)
Join us for a gentle, accessible chair yoga session designed to improve flexibility, reduce stress, and enhance overall well-being — all from the comfort of your home, residence hall or office. This virtual session incorporates seated and standing movements using a chair for support, making it ideal for all fitness levels, including beginners and individuals with limited mobility.
(Virtual – Zoom link provided upon registration.) Open to Hofstra employees and students only.
Dr. Kahn’s pioneering work highlights the interdependence between human, animal, and environmental health; an approach that encourages reflection on how societies define health, responsibility, and coexistence within a shared ecosystem. The keynote will explore how cultural values, trust in science, and social context influence responses to global health challenges such as vaccination, disease prevention, and environmental change.
(Student Center Multipurpose Room 101)
Friday, April 10th
In celebration of National Public Health Week, our School of Health Sciences (SHS) Intergenerational Book Club will discuss The Measure by Nikki Erlick, a thought-provoking novel that explores how access to life-expectancy information reshapes individual choices and societal systems. As the story unfolds, it raises powerful questions about equity, population-level decision-making, and how data can influence health policy, resource allocation, and personal behavior. Together, we’ll reflect on what the book reveals about risk, prevention, and the ethical responsibilities at the heart of public health. Join us for a conversation that connects fiction to real-world health challenges. All Hofstra employees are welcome to join us, but you must register to join. To join us, please email Jacklyn.Kuehn@hofstra.edu to be added to the Outlook invite. Open to Hofstra employees and students only.
(141 Hagedorn Hall)
In honor of National Public Health Week, this year’s Creative Arts Therapy Club at Hofstra (CATCH) Art Show embraces the theme Ready. Set. Action! as both a call to action and a reflection of collective resilience. The exhibition positions art therapy as an essential public health practice and honors the creative works found within our community. The culminating works embody momentum and illustrate how art can contribute to public health initiatives by fostering connection, resilience, and community engagement.
(Hagedorn Hall Lobby)

Open to the Public
No registration required.
Saturday, April 11th
Community members who are pregnant or parenting infants will be celebrated with food, games, and gifts. Local organizations who offer services and support for families will present information and resources.
(Student Center Multipurpose Room 101)
Sunday, April 12th
Join us for our 5K fun run/walk on April 12, 2026. Registration will begin at 8:30AM at the Hofstra Fitness Center. The cost for registration is to provide a donated non-perishable item to the Hofstra Food Pantry. This event is sponsored by the Society of Public Health Advocates and the Doctoral Physical Therapy graduate student organizations.
(Fitness Center)
Monday, April 13th
Townhall on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on college students.
Resilient & Rising: The Student Experience After COVID-19
The Hofstra University School of Health Sciences’ Colston Fellows will host a dynamic town hall exploring the impact of COVID-19 on today’s college students at Hofstra. Through personal reflections, the Fellows will share how the pandemic shaped their academic journeys, challenged their resilience, and ultimately strengthened their paths to success. The town hall will foster open dialogue, inviting attendees to share their own experiences, ask questions, and engage in meaningful discussion about the social, emotional, and academic effects of COVID-19.
(Student Center Greenhouse)
Participants will learn to recognize life-threatening situations and receive certification in CPR/AED and choking skills through the Emergency Care and Safety Institute (valid for two years). Additionally, students will be trained to identify opioid overdoses and administer Narcan. Each participant will receive a Narcan kit, and certification will be provided by the NYS Opioid Overdose Prevention Program. Limited to 15 people.
The School of Health Sciences, in partnership with the Career Center, is hosting for the first time an interactive professional development event designed to help students build essential networking skills and prepare for careers across the health sciences and public health fields.
This expo will provide both undergraduate and graduate students with meaningful, hands-on opportunities to learn how to network effectively and confidently, practice professional communication, and engage directly with current professionals, alumni, faculty, and students. Several of our practicum and internship sites will be in attendance, giving students a valuable chance to speak with professionals who actively supervise and hire students, learn about experiential learning opportunities, and explore potential career pathways.
The event is free to students!
Refreshments will be served, door prizes will be available, and students are expected to dress professionally and bring copies of their resume, cover letter, and reference sheet to make the most of this valuable networking experience.
Featured Workshops & Skill-Building Sessions:
Students will gain practical tools through interactive workshops on:
- Bootcamp: Resume, Cover Letter, and Reference Sheet (Students must have a printed copy to review).
- LinkedIn Profile Development and Professional Branding
To further support students’ career readiness, the expo will offer an area for professional headshots. allowing students to enhance their resumes, LinkedIn profiles, and professional portfolios.
The School of Health Sciences Networking Expo is a comprehensive, career-focused experience that empowers students to grow their professional confidence, expand their networks, connect with real-world practicum and internship partners, and take meaningful steps toward their future careers—all in celebration of National Public Health Week.
Open to Hofstra SHS Students Only.
(Student Center Multipurpose Room 101 & Plaza Rooms)
(Student Center Plaza Room)
Tuesday, April 14th
The Photovoice project captures the health equity struggles and triumphs in our communities through pictures.
(Hagedorn Hall Lobby)
Join us for a gentle, accessible chair yoga session designed to improve flexibility, reduce stress, and enhance overall well-being — all from the comfort of your home, residence hall or office. This virtual session incorporates seated and standing movements using a chair for support, making it ideal for all fitness levels, including beginners and individuals with limited mobility.
(Virtual – Zoom link provided upon registration.) Open to Hofstra employees and students only.
Guests will explore various stations – including falls risk assessment, rock steady boxing, ergonomics, helpful cognitive exercises, resources on scams and smart 911, dementia risk reduction, sensory architecture – engaging in lively conversations and exciting activities that foster a positive perspective on aging.
(HofUSA)
Wednesday, April 15th
Every three minutes, a baby is born with a cleft lip and/or palate, but access to timely care depends largely on geography. This session will explore the global disparities in cleft treatment, where barriers such as limited surgical workforce, infrastructure gaps, and financial constraints prevent patients from receiving life-changing care.
Representatives from Smile Train will share how Smile Train’s sustainable, partnership-based model enables patients with cleft around the world to receive the care they need and deserve. Smile Train makes this possible even in regions with the greatest need by investing in local training, education, and comprehensive cleft care programs. We will examine how this model of capacity building and health systems strengthening enables high-quality care to be delivered consistently within communities, driving scalable and lasting change.
Participants will gain real-world insight into global cleft care needs and learn how they can help advance health equity through awareness and fundraising efforts on campus and beyond.
(Student Center Multipurpose Room East; A Zoom link option is available; Link provided upon registration.)
Discover researched-based habits that support brain health at every age. This in-depth program explores practical strategies for healthy eating, physical activity, quality sleep, and cognitive engagement, and helps you create an action plan to build lasting brain-healthy routines.
(Student Center Multipurpose Room West)
The Brett Lake Event is an annual event sponsored by the Brett Fund for Mental Health, a fund that honors Brett Lake for whom life became too much to bear in 2021. The purpose of this fund is to support positive mental health initiatives aimed to help students by providing resources to access support and help with stress management as needed. In addition, the fund sponsors speakers to come to campus during the annual National Public Health Week.
(Student Center Theater and Student Center Lobby; Zoom option available.)
While attending a Hofstra National Public Health event, please be sure to use the hashtag #HofNPHW26.
Questions? Please contact SOHS@hofstra.edu.
