Student Showcase Celebrates Healthy Messaging Campaigns

On June 10, 2026, students, faculty, and staff gathered at Columbia Nursing to celebrate creativity in action at the 2026 Healthy Messaging Student Competition Showcase. 

The event highlighted student-led campaigns designed to tackle real-world public health challenges through clear, compelling communication. One by one, the award-winning groups took the stage, sharing the inspiration behind their projects, the research that informed their work, and the innovative strategies they developed to encourage healthier behaviors.  

Claire Pettengill and Sherah Ndjongo, students in the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program (PMHNP), earned first place for their campaign, “Ready, Set, Brush: Using Peer Modeling and Caregiver Engagement to Prevent Early Childhood Caries.” Their project featured a cost-effective, AI-generated video series showing caregivers modeling healthy toothbrushing habits for young children, with the goal of promoting better oral health and preventing cavities. 

Second-place went to Ran Cortright and Hana Peterman, also PMHNP students, for “From Silence to Support: A Multilingual Approach to Postpartum Mental Health.” This campaign highlighted the symptoms of postpartum depression and psychosis through flyers and leaflets in various languages. Cortright and Peterman explained that these materials can be distributed at clinics and hospitals to inform new parents how and where they can get support.

Alyssa Jean, DNP ’26, won third place for her comic strip, “Flu Vaccine Hesitancy: A Conversation Between Friends.” This campaign highlighted how vaccine myths can be dispelled through one-on-one peer conversations in casual environments, such as on a subway ride. 

As presentations unfolded, attendees saw how thoughtful messaging can influence decisions, strengthen communities, and improve health outcomes. The showcase offered a glimpse into the next generation of health communicators: students whose ideas demonstrated both creativity and a deep commitment to public well-being.