Welcome to the Public Health Program of Touro University California!

As part of our efforts to improve your overall orientation experience, please note that we are constantly updating our page with new information you need to know for Summer & Fall 2026 so please visit again soon for updates.

Greetings to our new students from the Public Health Program! We are so glad you have decided to pursue an MPH degree. Public Health professionals are perhaps more important to our nation and our world today than at any other time in recent history as we navigate uncertain and rapidly changing times.

Our program is comprised of students and faculty who work towards creating healthy communities through public health practice. This mission is achieved by employing a multidimensional program of study that combines a broad public health base with didactic training and field study.

A note about Canvas: Canvas is the learning management platform used by TUC. In addition to all your courses, the Public Health Program will be utilizing Canvas for some of your Orientation materials. A variety of mandatory training programs and forms are also housed in Canvas in the organization called TUC MPH Assignments. Students can access Canvas only after registering for classes.

MPH Orientation Information (subject to change)

We are looking forward to meeting you at the mandatory Public Health Orientation! Orientation will provide an opportunity for you to learn about the program, get to know each other and faculty, and participate in the Intergroup Relations Program through which students start to gain the insights and skills needed for public health professionals to work with diverse populations and understand the impact of social inequities on health. The agenda will be posted shortly.

  • Dual Degree MPH & DO Class of 2030 Students: Because you begin the MPH Program this summer, your MPH Orientation will be held virtually on Sunday, May 31, 2026 from 10 am - 12:00 pm.  https://zoom.us/j/3028063729
  • Joint MPH/PA Class of 2029 Students: As a reminder, you are enrolled in 2 programs, PA Studies and Public Health, and are required to attend an Orientation for both. MPH Orientation will be held in August 2026 and will be in-person. Date, time, and location TBD. Continental breakfast and lunch provided.
  • Independent MPH Fall 2026 Students: MPH Orientation will be held virtually in August 2026, date and time TBD.

Registration, Class Schedule, Booklist, and Public Health Student Handbook (Subject To Change)

Dual Degree DO/MPH 1st Year Students: Registration for Summer 2026 - Please follow instructions below to register in TouroOne.  SUMMER SCHEDULE

Dual Degree: DO/MPH Year 1 (Summer 2026 Start) 6/1/2026 - 7/24/2026 Summer 2026

PBHC 608, CRN 102608 Behavioral & Social Aspects of PH, Mondays, 4-7 pm: Green

PBHC 648, CRN 12649 Environmental Health, Tuesdays, 10 am -1 pm: Mackie

PBHC 607, CRN 12601 Biostatistics. Mondays & Wednesdays, 9 am-12 pm: Goliaei

PBHC 604-0, CRN 12523 Health Policy & Management, Wednesdays, 4-7 pm: Hadgu Haile

IMPH - Please follow instructions below to register in TouroOne. The Fall 2026 Class Schedule is forthcoming and will be posted soon.

IMPH Fall 2026 Start (Year 1) Class date details TBD by instructors and posted in Canvas.

PBHC 607-1 CRN Biostatistics: Goliaei Block 1 & Block 2: Mondays, 4-7pm

PBHC 608 CRN Behavioral & Social Aspects of PH: Green Block 1: Wednesdays, 4-7pm

PBHC 648 CRN Environmental Health: Mackie Block 2: Wednesdays, 4-7pm

PBHC 631 CRN Social Drivers in PH Speakers (0 unit): Wilson (Students may watch video recordings or attend live zoom sessions) Asynchronous. Students may watch video recordings or attend live zoom Thurs, 5-7pm    (6 sessions, dates TBD)

Joint MPH/PA Class of 2029 - Please follow instructions below to register in TouroOne.  The Fall 2026 Class Schedule is forthcoming and will be posted soon.

Joint 2029 PA/PH: Fall 2026 Start (Year 1) Class date details TBD by instructors and posted in Canvas.

PBHC 607 CRN Biostatistics: Goliaei Block 1 & Block 2: Mondays, 9:30 -12:30pm IN-Person: Farragut OCB (106)

PBHC 608 CRN Behavioral & Social Aspects of PH: Green Block 1: Wednesday, 4-7pm (virtual)

PBHC 604 CRN Health Policy & Management: Baz Block 1 & Block 2: Thursday, 9am-12pm IN-person: Farragut OCB (106)

PBHC 648 CRN Environmental Health: Mackie Block 2: Wednesdays, 4-7pm (virtual)

PBHC 631 CRN Social Drivers in PH Speakers (0-unit): Wilson Block 1 & 2: Live Zoom Thurs, 5-7pm (6 sessions, dates TBD)

In order to register for classes: Once you have been assigned a "T" identification number you will be able to register for classes. Go to https://touroone.touro.edu/cas/login or to the TUC website and click on TouroOne in Quick Links. You will be instructed to set up your TouroOne account (choose "New User"). Once you've done that, navigate to the registration page.

Please let us know if you have any difficulties with registration or accessing Canvas.

Student Handbook 2026: The Handbook includes information that will be essential for your success during your academic career in the Public Health Program including your academic planning forms. It is mandatory that you read the Handbook.  PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAM 2026/2027 STUDENT HANDBOOK

Booklists: Summer 2026 Booklist is forthcoming and will be posted soon.  Fall 2026 Booklist will be posted in June.

Questions, Support, Contact Information, and Resources

For general questions or for help determining who best to contact for assistance, please contact Charleane Williams at cwilliam27@touro.edu or 707-638-5838 and Breana Aceituno at baceituno@touro.edu or 707-638-5474.

Please refer to the Public Health google calendar which includes class schedules, information and special events.

Additional MPH Program Information is located in Canvas: TUC_MPH Program Assignments: Go to your start date cohort: Either Summer 2026 Start or Fall 2026 Start. You will find your academic plan, curriculum overviews, booklists, schedules, trainings, study materials and more.

Registrar: tucaregistrar@tu.edu , 707-638-5984. For Registrar Live Zoom Office Hours: http://studentservices.tu.edu/registrar/index.html

Library: The Library offers an extensive array of resources to support academic success in your classes and with papers, projects, and the capstone thesis. Resources include a guide https://libguides.tu.edu/mph that offers access and information on: Books & ebooks, including course reserves, plus a list of new and featured PH books; study/exam guides; research databases & data sources; research methods; program design & evaluation, public health associations and more. The Public Health Program Librarian is Ms. Grace Kim gkim11@touro.edu.

Public Health Advisor: Within the first few weeks of the semester you will be assigned a Public Health Program faculty member as your academic advisor. Your advisor will provide academic guidance for you throughout the duration of the program.

Student Services and Resources: For help with services related to the Bursar, Registrar, Financial Aid, Academic Support,  Library, Health & Counseling Centers, & more.

IT: Go to TouroOne for IT information.

Office of Financial Aid: tuc.finaid@touro.edu (707) 638-5280, https://tu.edu/admissions--aid/financial-aid/ Financial Aid has two Zoom sessions daily:

  • 8:30 – 9:30 am https://zoom.us/j/95071592554
  • 12 – 1 pm https://zoom.us/j/6724509570 Meeting ID: 672 450 9570

Bursar: tuc.bursar@tu.edu, 707-638-5253. For Bursar Live Zoom Office Hours: http://studentservices.tu.edu/bursar/index.html

Student Counseling Services: http://studentservices.tu.edu/counseling/index.html Call 707-638-5292 to be connected to the Counseling Office. You can choose Option 3 to speak with a live counselor 24-7. Director of Counseling Services: Ryan Guetersloh rgueters@touro.edu; Counselors: Riva Mullins rmullins3@touro.edu; Yuriko Domyo ydomyo@touro.edu

Office of Student Success: http://studentservices.tu.edu/learningresources/ Services provided include: safe-zone advocacy & support, assessments of study process & learning styles, peer tutoring, formulation of study plan, test & study strategies, academic writing assistance, mindfulness workshops.

You will find useful information and some mandatory tasks/forms for new students at this link: Checklist

Who We Are: Public Health Program Faculty and Staff

Public Health Program Wilderman Hall, 1310 Club Drive, Vallejo California 94592, 707-638-5838, Fax 707-638-5871 tu.edu/programs/public-health

Public Health Program Faculty

  • Gayle Cummings, PsyD, MPH Program Director, Professor, Assistant Dean of CEHS WH Rm 404, (707) 638-5831 gcumming@touro.edu
  • Carinne Brody, DrPH, MPH Associate Program Director, Professor, Global Health WH Rm 405, (707) 638-5833 cbrody@touro.edu
  • Annette Aalborg, DrPH, MPH Professor, Community Action for Health, WH Rm 401, (707) 638-5842 aaalborg@touro.edu
  • Sahai Burrowes, PhD, MALD Associate Professor, Global Health Concentration Chair, WH Rm 410, (707) 638-5837 sburrowe2@touro.edu
  • Zahra Goliaei, MD, MPH, PhD Assistant Professor, Community Action for Health, WH Rm 405, zgoliaei@touro.edu
  • Alexandra Hernandez, PhD, MPH Associate Professor, Global Health, WH Rm 406, (707) 638-5835 ahernand13@touro.edu
  • Nemesia Kelly, MPH Associate Professor, Criminal Justice and Health Concentration Chair, WH Rm 403, (707) 638-5827 nkelly@touro.edu
  • Trina Mackie, PhD, MSPH Associate Professor, Community Action for Health, WH Rm 409, (707) 638-5828 tmackie@touro.edu
  • Sharon O’Hara, DrPH, MPH Assistant Professor, Community Action for Health, Capstone Project Coordinator WH Rm 407, sohara@touro.edu
  • Jya Plavin, MPH Assistant Professor, Field Study Coordinator, jplavin@touro.edu
  • Sarah Sullivan, RN, MSN, PNP, MPH Associate Professor, Global Health, CPH Exam Coordinator, WH Rm 408, (707) 638-5832 ssulliva2@touro.edu
  • Kevin Williams, JD, MPH, Assistant Professor Criminal Justice and Health, kwilliam52@touro.edu
  • Deirdra Wilson, PhD, MPH, Associate Professor, Community Action for Health Concentration Chair, WH Rm 406, (707) 638-5836 dwilson9@touro.edu

Public Health Program Adjunct Faculty

  • Charis Baz, MPH, PH Adjunct Faculty, cbaz@touro.edu
  • Matthew Green, MPH, PH Adjunct Faculty, mgreen9@touro.edu
  • Betiel Hadgu Haile, MPH, PH Adjunct Faculty

Public Health Program Staff

  • Charleane Williams, Program Analyst, WH Rm 402, (707) 638-5838, cwilliam27@touro.edu
  • Breana Aceituno, Administrative and Program Coordinator, WH 402, (707) 638-5474, baceituno@touro.edu