Sigma Xi Banquet and Speaker

The 2014 Sigma Xi banquet will be held at The Old Lumber Company, on Thursday, April 3, at 6 PM.  Our chapter has invited Sigma Xi Distinguished Lecturer Dennis Norman to discuss his research interests with our group. The title for Dr. Norman’s talk is: “500 years of Health Disparities..The Story”. 

The banquet is open to anyone with interest in the topic, and you do not have to be a member of Sigma Xi to attend, so please feel free to distribute this information within your department. The cost to attend the banquet is $20, and a cash bar will be available. If you plan to attend this event, please RSVP to Victor Huber (victor.huber@usd.edu) by March 21^st. 

University of South Dakota Branch of Sigma Xi Open Forum with Distinguished Lecturer Dennis K. Norman Faculty Chair, Harvard University Native American Program

Friday, April 4, 2014Lee Med Room 1059:30-11 AM

Dr. Norman’s interests focus on the history of Native American health, starting with pre-colonization anecdotes, early colonial status, the movement to reservations and the evolving relationship with the national government in responding to its trust relationship with native Nation and their health care. While the early history with colonial settlements was characterized by a massive loss of life due to infectious disease and wars, subsequent health disparities have positioned American Indians at the top of the US population in terms of overall mortality and poor health outcomes. A review of current American Indian status in terms of population, location, identity identification will provide the back-drop for examining the current Indian Health Service, the rise of Tribal health services and the various challenges concerning diabetes, obesity, chronic illnesses, suicide and substance abuse. Factors will be discussed about pipeline issues that make it difficult for American Indians youth to attain education and professional training to address these issues without significant assistance from non-Native caregivers.

Dennis Norman is the Chief of Psychology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Faculty Chair for the Harvard University Native American Program, and Associate Professor of Psychology, Harvard Medical School. He is Board Certified in both Clinical and Child and Adolescent Psychology. He received his doctorate in Human Development, Counseling and Consulting Psychology from Harvard University and also has an M.A. in Child Development from Tufts University, Child Study Department. His special interest has been cross cultural psychology, coping with chronic illness and human development with a special focus on American Indian/Alaskan Natives. He is Past Chair of the Board of Registration for Psychology, Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Dr. Norman directs the Harvard University Native American Program Health Initiative teaches field research for Native communities at the Kennedy School of Government and the Harvard Graduate School of Education.