On April 29th, students in Dr. Eric G. Bing’s Pandemics! The Science Of Disease Spread, Prevention And Control (ANTH/APSM/MNO 4344) course gathered for a milestone event – the 10th Battle to Save Lives public health case competition. This year, students were challenged to develop innovative, evidence-based strategies to address two of Dallas’s most pressing issues: enhancing safety along the Katy Trail and increasing healthcare accessibility through Parkland Health’s Video Visit Booths.
Over the course of the semester, four teams of undergraduates conducted original field research, stakeholder interviews, and data analysis to formulate bold, community-focused solutions. With guidance from experienced coaches and insights from city departments, healthcare professionals, and nonprofit leaders, students translated classroom knowledge into real-world public health innovation.
This year’s panel of distinguished judges included:
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Dr. Meg Brown, Postdoctoral Scholar, University of California, Berkeley
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Lt. Laura Browning, Lieutenant, Dallas Police Department
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Dr. Vivian B. Johnson, Senior VP, Community Health Services & Senior Pharmacy Advisor, Parkland Health
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William James, Senior Analyst, Sagefield Capital; Board Member, Friends of the Katy Trail
Tackling Trail Safety: Enhancing Real and Perceived Safety on the Katy Trail
Two student teams were assigned to the Katy Trail, a beloved 3.5-mile green corridor through the heart of Dallas, set to become a key component of the citywide LOOP Bikeway. Amid growing usage, students were tasked with crafting cost-effective strategies to maintain the trail’s safety and welcoming environment.
See Something, Say Something – Katy Trail RED TEAM
Coached by Ms. Shelley Potter, this team emphasized that perceptions of safety significantly influence trail use. This team consisted of the following team members: Sarah Kate Davenport, Zachary Morin, Natalia Newsome, Nikhil Raj, and Ava Tikoo. Their data-driven strategy included:
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Installing low-wattage LED lighting with motion detectors in underlit sections
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A QR code-based emergency reporting system connected to trail mile markers
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Adoption of the “See Something, Say Something” app, empowering users to report and receive real-time alerts
Keeping Katy Trail Safe – Katy Trail BLUE TEAM
Guided by coaches Ms. Peggy Zilbermann and Ms. Cricket Griffin, this team conducted interviews with Stonewall Security, the Dallas Police Department, and the Office of Homelessness Solutions. This team consisted of the following team members: Joseph Bruszer, Ally Hannagan, Cassie Kaplan, Morgan Mixer, and Claire Murphy. Their comprehensive safety plan included:
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Assigning location-based addresses (KT-101, KT-102, etc.) along the trail for better incident reporting
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Advocating for private security camera registration and signage to deter crime
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Partnering with nonprofits to promote the “Give Responsibly” campaign
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Launching a community email alert network and a public Facebook page for trail users to report issues and stay connected
Expanding Healthcare Access: Increasing Utilization of Parkland Health’s Video Visit Booths
To bridge the digital divide and bring healthcare closer to underserved communities, Parkland Health introduced Video Visit Booths—private telehealth pods located in trusted community hubs. Two student teams were challenged to deliver actionable, equity-focused engagement strategies to increase usage of the booths.
Breaking Barriers – Parkland RED Team
With support from Mr. Vincent Hall and Dr. Elizabeth Palacios, this team focused on the West Dallas Multipurpose Center (WDMC). This team consisted of the following team members: Matt Baer, Jordaine Jaeger, Lindsey McNear, and Maura Yumul. Their strategy highlighted:
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Rebranding the booths and increasing community outreach via printed materials and launch events
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Deploying Parkland representatives biweekly to provide on-site support
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Expanding booth physical accessibility with wider doors, mobility aid accommodations, and caregiver options
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Training community champions to build trust and demystify the technology
Telemedicine for All— Parkland Blue TEAM
Led by Mr. Amit Sharma, this team analyzed deployment barriers at the Inspired Vision Compassion Center and applied their learnings to the Gaston Christian Center. This team consisted of the following team members: Ayan Khan, Daniel Kulti, Michael Harreld, Emma Sanderson, and Khloe Worrall. Their phased strategy included:
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A weeklong launch plan with live demos, tutorials, and account setup help
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Staff training to build awareness and provide real-time assistance
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Redesigning the user interface to include step-by-step guidance, video tutorials, and multilingual support
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Leveraging Gaston’s existing community leaders and event calendar to foster engagement
Their approach emphasized dual-site applicability and minimal costs.
And the Winners Are…
After a series of thoughtful presentations and lively Q&A sessions, the judges recognized two teams for their outstanding contributions:
Katy Trail Safety Challenge Winner: Keep Katy Trail Safe – Katy Trail Blue Team
Parkland Telehealth Challenge Winner: Telemedicine for All – Parkland Blue Team
Watch the Presentations
The competition wraps up a successful semester in Dr. Bing’s Pandemics! The Science Of Disease Spread, Prevention, And Control (ANTH/APSM/MNO 4344) course. Throughout the semester, undergraduates developed skills in public health leadership through hands-on training, classroom engagement, and interactive competitions. Many students hope to pursue careers in healthcare to apply their knowledge to real-world public health challenges.
Interested in learning more about the Center for Global Health Impact? Visit our website, email us at globalhealthimpact@smu.edu and engage with us on social media.