2007/2008 CPH Magazine - College of Public Health - University of ...

Letter from the DeanCollege of Public HealthMagazine 2007/2008Vol.1, N.1Phillip L. Williams, Ph.D.DeanEric Dahl, Ph.D.Associate Dean forHealth Science InitiativesRobert S. Galen, M.D., M.P.H.Associate Dean forResearch and OutreachValerie Hepburn, Ph.D.Assistant Dean for AcademicAffairsContributing writerMary Jessica HammesDesignLindsay RobinsonContactKate LindseyDirector of DevelopmentCollege of Public HealthN122C Coverdell CenterUniversity of GeorgiaAthens, GA 30602706-542-2590krl@uga.eduwww.publichealth.uga.eduThe University of Georgia is a unit of theUniversity System of Georgia. The University ofGoergia is an equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution.In compliance with federal law, including the provisions ofTitle IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VI ofthe Civil Rights Act of 1964, Sections 503 and 504 of theRehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with DisabilitiesAct of 1990, the University of Georgia does not discriminateon the basis of race, sex, religion, color, national or ethnicorigin, age, disability, or military service in its administrationof educational policies, programs, or activities; its admissionspolicies; scholarship and loan programs; athletic or otherUniversity-administered programs; or employment. In addition,the University does not discriminate on the basis of sexualorientation consistent with the University non-discriminationpolicy. Inquiries or complaints should be directed to the directorof the Equal Opportunity Office, Peabody Hall, 290 SouthJackson Street, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602.Telephone 706-542-7912 (V/TDD). Fax 706-542-2822In 2005, the College of Public Health was establishedwith our highest priority being to improve the healthof the citizens of Georgia, and for the last two years, wehave been doing just that. In addition to providing highquality, affordable public health education and trainingto Georgians, the College of Public Health also isserving the state by:• Studying the effect of the recent wild fires on the air quality inSouth Georgia;• Investigating the Clean Indoor Air Act’s impact on outdoor airquality in Athens;• Conducting a mass casualty exercise simulating pandemicavian flu to test the readiness and response of Georgiahospitals to a large-scale mass casualty crisis;• Implementing and evaluating a program in North Georgiamiddle schools to prevent violence;• Evaluating wellness policies to address childhood obesity inAtlanta Public Schools;• Studying the human pathogens found in Georgia’s estuariesand shellfish and their affect on the health of Coastal Georgiapopulations.The cover story in this issue of the College of Public Healthmagazine dives deeper into our commitment to serve the stateand examines not only what we’ve already done but also theimpact we can have on the state’s health in years to come. We haverapidly evolved over the past few years, and this fall we enrolledour first Doctor of Public Health students. Heather Edelbute, amember of this first cohort, is highlighted in the Health Policyand Management section of the magazine. Meanwhile, our Masterof Public Health program continues to grow, and I hope you willenjoy reading about some of these students in the departmentalsections. Another important feature in this issue is an updateon the Institute for Health Management and Mass DestructionDefense, which joined our college last summer.As alumni and friends of the College of Public Health, you arevery important to us, and we hope to hear from you often. Thankyou for supporting our commitment to making Georgia and theworld a safer and healthier place.Sincerely,Phillip L. Williams, Ph.D., Dean2 College of Public Health