In the George

New findings published in the Journal for Applied Gerontology by College of Public Health researchers suggest that personalized music intervention, especially with songs from adolescence and early adulthood, is effective at reducing the use of medication, alleviating agitation levels, and enhancing mood and social engagement among nursing home residents living with dementia.

Gary T. Taylor, MSW ‘15, is destigmatizing mental health support and normalizing therapy in the Black community one barbershop at a time. “Barbershops are this safe space for Black men,” explains Taylor who has been working with local barbershops in the Rappahannock region since 2022 to foster healthy discussions about mental health by educating barbers on “mental health first aid” for their patrons.

Kayla Moore sees testing for sexually transmitted diseases as a key part of public health, and the doorway to a healthy community. Moore is currently getting her Master of Clinical Social Work at George Mason University’s College of Public Health, and in recognition of the 25th anniversary of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, has organized a two-part event at Mason’s Fairfax Campus that speaks to public health.

28 Master of Social Work students work with a substance-engaged adolescent in a Virtual Reality simulation. The majority of students felt more prepared to respond to changes in their client’s condition after participating in the simulation 

A George Mason University multidisciplinary research team recently received $5,000 in funding from the VentureWell Accelerator to continue to develop their app iCONNECT SUD.

Researchers from the Schar School of Policy and Government’s Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence! and the College of Health and Human Services are translating research into actionable guidelines to help probation officers support their clients to achieve better outcomes. 

Innovate for Good is a new ongoing series that examines how faculty in the College of Health and Human Services are improving health outcomes using technology such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and personal apps. Part I explores two social work faculty who are using apps and virtual reality to improve the lives and health of those they work with.

George Mason University Mason and Partners Clinic, Prince William Health District, and Smart Beginnings Greater Prince William partner to vaccinate more than 1,400 people.

On February 23, First Lady Pamela Northam visited a vaccination clinic in Manassas Park to recognize the heroic efforts of early childhood educators. “Early childhood educators have truly been unsung heroes throughout this pandemic allowing other frontline workers to remain on the job. We are grateful for organizations like Smart Beginnings Greater Prince William, the Mason and Partner Clinics, and the Prince William Health

Mason’s College of Health and Human Services offers Virginia’s first doctoral degree in public health.