by Brooke Bunch

One of OU-COM’s student doctors made a mark with the publication of a textbook in which was a chapter co-authored by him.

Adam Kinninger, Class of 2007, recently received a copy of his published work, a chapter in Essentials of Public Health Management. The textbook was edited by L. Fleming Fallon Jr., M.D., Dr.P.H., M.B.A., professor of public health at Bowling Green State University, and Eric Zgodzinski, M.P.H., supervisor of community services at Toledo-Lucas County Health Department. According to Kinninger, the textbook is geared toward students in M.P.H. and M.B.A. programs as well as public health administrators.

Kinninger began his exploration of public health as a senior at Bowling Green State University, where he studied under the direction of Fallon.

“He was my mentor,” explains Kinninger.

He completed an independent study with Fallon, which was, in part, work on the textbook.

“I conducted research, interviewed nurses and people on the local board of health  and asked them what worked for them,” he says.

Kinninger’s chapter, entitled “Organizing and Operating Clinics,” focuses on the daily operations of a health clinic. The chapter also points out the role that cultural sensitivity plays in the operation of clinics, noting that it is essential to understand the cultural and social aspects of the populations that are being served. The chapter was co-authored with Fallon.

“It’s very important to know what the needs of your target audience are when running a health clinic,” he says. “For example, if it’s a rural community, you might need to offer transportation.”

The chapter examines the funding of health clinics and the importance of marketing and promotion and how those concerns must be balanced against the sensitivities of the audiences to be served. In addition, clinic staff members must be well trained in their areas of professional expertise.

“It was a good experience,” says Kinninger on writing the chapter. “I learned about the business of operating a clinic, and I learned a lot about the writing process in general. It taught me many things that are important when operating a clinic, such as to consider the health-care needs of a population as a whole instead of individual health-care needs.”

Kinninger’s interest in public health intersects with politics. As an intern with the Health Policy Institute of Ohio in the summer of 2004, Kinninger drafted a paper for U.S. senators and other legislators on why health care matters and why they should address the issue politically.

“Public health allows you to make a larger impact by addressing the health-care concerns of a broader group of people rather than merely treating one person at one time,” he says.