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Dean CurranDean James W. Curran
To new beginnings

The month of May is a time of new beginnings as our graduates enter the next phase of their public health careers. On May 14, a total of 446 students will receive MPH/MSPH degrees—our largest graduating class ever. Of those, 42 students will receive dual-degrees, the highest number to date. Additionally, 33 students will receive doctoral degrees, also a record. Our graduates represent 35 states and 29 countries. The faculty, staff, community partners, and donors at RSPH collectively agree that they are well-prepared to contribute the skills and ideas needed to assure the conditions of health throughout the world.

The month of May also brings a sense of accomplishment and renewal for Rollins School of Public Health. During this time, we take inventory of the previous academic year by assessing both our successes and challenges.

This newsletter highlights some our recent successes. Please send additional news items we may have missed to me through Tarvis Thompson-Pace, Communications Manager.

Rollins accreditation update

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RSPH submitted a self-assessment document to the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) in November 2011 and a final self-study in March 2012. CEPH then conducted a three-day site visit in April to validate our self-study findings.

The April site visit involved more than 170 students, faculty, alumni, and community partners who attested to the quality of our institution. Because of you, the CEPH accreditors were most impressed with what they heard and witnessed.

The site visitors left with an appreciation for our school’s academic programs, collaborative environment, and extensive community engagement. They observed us working together as a community that cares about one another, our school, and public health.They were very impressed by the quality of our self-study and the effort invested in the process by our Self-Study Steering Committee. 

CEPH will share its assessment of our school, based on 27 accreditation criteria, with the Council on Education for Public Health Board. We expect the board, at their October 13, 2012 meeting, to fully reaccredit our school for another seven years. Read more.

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NIH funds mentoring of young global scientists

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Carlos del Rio

The Fogarty International Center, a component of NIH, has selected Emory to participate in a network of U.S. academic institutions training the next generation of global health researchers.

The Fogarty Global Health Program for Fellows and Scholars will award approximately $20.3 million over the next five years to 20 partner institutions to provide 400 early-career health scientists with research fellowships in 27 low- and middle-income countries. A total of five consortia will be funded under this award.

Emory is part of a consortium that includes Vanderbilt University, Duke University, and Cornell University. This group will work together to develop and support global health research training programs that provide focused mentoring and diverse clinical research experiences for participants, who include early-career physicians, veterinarians, dentists, and scientists.

Carlos del Rio, Hubert Professor and chair of the Hubert Department of Global Health, and K.M. Venkat Narayan, the Ruth and O.C. Hubert Professor of Global Health, will serve as program directors of the Emory award and lead participation in the network.

Studies/Reports:

Grants:

  • Biostatistics and Bioinformatics
    Lance WallerEnvironmental Biostatistics Training Grant (NIH)

  • Behavioral Sciences and Health Education
    Claire Sterk
    Neighborhood Effects on Drug Use Among African Americans (NIH)

  • Environmental Health
    Matthew FreemanLSHTM Orissa Sanitation Trial (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine)

  • Epidemiology
    Yan SunGenetics of Hypertension Risk Factors and Sequela in African Americans
    (NIH)

  • Global Health
    Carlos del Rio
    Seek, Test, Treat, and Retain: Addressing HIV among vulnerable populations (University of Miami)


  • Health Policy and Management
    Richard Saltman
    Health Reform in Europe (World Health Organization)

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William Foege

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Foege honored with a series of awards
President Barack Obama recently named 13 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, among them, William Foege, Presidential Distinguished Professor Emeritus of International Health. The Medal of Freedom is the nation’s highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, or cultural or other significant public or private endeavors. The awards will be presented at the White House in late spring.

Foege is widely recognized as instrumental in the successful campaign to eradicate smallpox in the 1970s. After serving as a medical missionary in Nigeria, Foege became chief of CDC's Smallpox Eradication Program and was named CDC director in 1977. Read more.

On May 21, Foege will be recognized at The Spirit of Helen Keller Gala for his work to eliminate smallpox, polio and river blindness. The gala will be held in New York City and will be hosted by NBC news anchor Brian Williams. Read more.

This past March, Foege received the Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Social Courage from the Georgia Institute of Technology. The award recognizes those around the world who, by standing up for moral principle, have positively affected public discourse at the risk of their own careers, their livelihoods, and even their lives. The award honors the legacy of Atlanta Mayor Ivan Allen Jr., a proponent of desegration during the civil rights era. Read more.

Wenger
Nanette Wenger with Dean Curran

Hatcher Award presented to cardiology pioneer
Emory cardiologist Nanette Wenger became the 10th recipient of the Charles R. Hatcher Jr., M.D., Award for Excellence in Public Health at a ceremony hosted by RSPH in April. Wenger was honored for her pioneering efforts to improve cardiovascular health, especially among underserved populations.

When Wenger joined the School of Medicine faculty in 1958, she was one of only a handful of female physicians at Emory. In the 54 years since, she has taught numerous medical students, residents, and fellows at Grady Memorial Hospital and advanced research in cardiac rehabilitation and cardiac care for women and the elderly. She is also a colleague of Charles Hatcher, who brought open-heart surgery to Grady in the early 1960s and who rose to become a top health leader at Emory. Named in his honor, the Hatcher Award recognizes Woodruff Health Sciences Center (WHSC) faculty who exemplify excellence in public health. Hatcher supported the formation of Rollins during his tenure as vice president for health affairs and WHSC director.

GaryMiller
Gary Miller

Miller named GRA Distinguished Investigator
The Georgia Research Alliance (GRA) named Gary Miller, associate dean for research and Asa Griggs Cander Professor of Environmental Health, a 2012 Distinguished Investigator. The GRA has named only six Distinguished Investigators in its 22-year history.

GRA's distinguished investigator program supports scientists who are considered rising stars in their fields of study. The research award encourages universities to retain outstanding talent and invest in the infrastructure and technology needed to advance research toward commercialization.

ReyMartorell
Reynaldo Martorell (left)

Martorell honored by Honduran government
Reynaldo Martorell
was recognized by the government of Honduras for his contributions to fighting hunger throughout the nation. President Porfirio Lobo Sosa presented the award to Martorell in March during the 7th Annual Summit
of Universities Fighting World Hunger in Catacamas, Honduras.

Martorell, who is a native of Honduras, is known for his studies on the effects of childhood nutrition on adult health in Guatemala, China, and other countries. He is the former chair of the Hubert Department of Global Health and continues to serve as the Robert W. Woodruff Professor of International Nutrition.

CarolHogue
Carol Hogue

Hogue recognized as distinguished alumna
Carol Hogue, professor of epidemiology, is the 2011 recipient of the H.A. Tyroler Distinguished Alumni Award, presented by the Alumni Association at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Epidemiology Chapter of the Gillings School of Global Public Health. The award recognizes the contributions and accomplishments of graduates of the school's department of epidemiology.

Hogue holds the Jules and Uldeen Terry Chair in Maternal and Child Health and directs the Women's and Children's Center at Rollins.


Bowman
F. Dubois Bowman

Bowman selected as ASA Fellow
F. Dubois Bowman, associate professor of biostatistics and bioinformatics and director of the Center for Biomedical Imaging Statistics, has been selected as a fellow of the American Statistical Association.

Bowman’s research focuses on the development of statistical methods for the analysis of functional brain imaging data to reveal distributed patterns of task-related changes in activity and to identify functional connections related to conditions such as substance abuse, mental illness, and decision-making in health and social justice.

 

Students honor Webb Girard for teaching
Amy Webb Girard, assistant professor of global health, is the 2012 recipient of Emory’s Crystal Apple Award for Excellence in Graduate Education/Instruction. The Crystal Apple Awards honor faculty members who go above and beyond in their search for knowledge and involvement in the university community.
Webb Girard was selected out of 300 nominations and received her award during a ceremony in February. Recipients are nominated by their students.

Yount tapped for Woodruff Leadership Academy
Kathryn Yount, associate professor of global health and sociology, is a member of the 2012 class of Emory’s Woodruff Leadership Academy. The semester-long academy is partially modeled after highly successful corporate leadership development programs that identify and guide mid-level professionals who exhibit strong leadership capabilities and potential for increased responsibilities.

AmparoGonzalez
Amparo Gonzalez

Gonzalez named World Diabetes Day Hero of the Week
Amparo Gonzalez, program director for Multicultural Diabetes Education and Professional Diabetes Education in Emory School of Medicine, was nominated as a World Diabetes Day Hero of the Week. She was recognized for her work in engaging, motivating, and leading others to take steps toward creating healthier lives. Gonzalez is also a Career Master of Public Health (CMPH) student in prevention science at Rollins.

CaseComp
Global Health Case Competition team winners (Photo by Tony Benner)

Emory students win Global Health Case Competition
Emory students placed first in the International Global Health Case Competition, sponsored by the Emory Global Health Institute in March at Rollins. The competition attracted multidisciplinary student teams from 22 other universities.

Students on the winning team included Aiden Varan, Jennifer Richards and Bradley Wagenaar of RSPH; Britt Gayle of RSPH and the Emory School of Medicine; Anne Herold of Emory Law School; and Sandra Dube of Goizueta Business School.


Gujral receives Fulbright Award to India
Unjali Gujral, a second-year doctoral student in nutrition and health sciences, was recently awarded a 2012–2013 U.S. Student Fulbright Award to India. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and established in 1946 by the U.S. Congress, the Fulbright Program for U.S. Students is the nation's largest international exchange program. It provides students, scholars, and professionals with opportunities for graduate study, advanced research, university teaching, and teaching in elementary and secondary schools worldwide.

Rollins students receive Humanitarian Awards
Each year, Emory presents the Humanitarian Awards to recognize professional, graduate, and undergraduate students who demonstrate qualities that are fundamental to effective leadership. MPH students Colleen Laurence (Global Health) and Tim Puetz (Behavioral Sciences) were among the Emory students honored this year. Thanks to our faculty, staff, and students for taking the time to write such thoughtful and well-deserved nominations.

Mukangu
Doris Mukangu

Rollins heroes shine
Doris Mukangu
(CMPH Prevention Science) was one of 10 women honored during the university’s 15th annual Unsung Heroines Awards in February. Mukangu co-founded the African Women Health, Education & Empowerment Center in Atlanta. Unsung Heroine honorees are selected for demonstrating extraordinary dedication to issues that affect women at Emory or in the larger community.

Lisa Martel (CMPH Prevention Science) was honored during the Public Health in Action reception in April as an Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Member in the Hubert Department of Global Health. Cameron Tran (CMPH Epidemiology) was recognized in March with the Emory University Award of Distinction. He is a senior research project coordinator with the Center for AIDS Research.

Visit Emory 2012
On March 22-23, RSPH hosted a highly successful Visit Emory event for newly admitted students. This program provides prospective students with in-depth information about the academic environment at Rollins and the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the student life experience. The activities offered to the 270 admitted students allowed them to interact with the Emory student body, talk with faculty members, and tour the school and campus.

To learn more, read our special Visit Emory issue of the Dean's Letter.



Congratulations to all!

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Welcome Aboard

Please join me in welcoming Helena Pachon as a senior nutrition scientist of the Flour Fortification Initiative (FFI). Pachon also serves as a research associate professor at RSPH. Housed in the Hubert Department of Global Health, FFI encourages flour fortification as a safe, economical way to dramatically improve global health.

Kimberly Fulghum has joined the Office of Development and Alumni Relations as the assistant director of development. She will oversee stewardship, donor relations, and cultivation of new prospects interested in supporting students and faculty. Fulghum was previously the development manager at the International Rescue Committee, a global humanitarian relief agency.


Let's also welcome Cindy Iten as PhD Program Coordinator. Prior to joining Rollins, Iten was director of Integrated Biomedical Sciences at the University of Kentucky's College of Medicine. Recently she provided academic support and classroom instruction at Georgia Institute of Technology's Center for Academic Success.

Welcome to all new faculty and staff, and congratulations to those who have been promoted to new positions:

Also new to Rollins are:

  • Biostatistics and Bioinformatics
    William Pittard and Jeffrey Switchenko

  • Behavioral Sciences and Health Education
    Gary Huskey and Conny Karnes

  • Epidemiology
    Adam Carpenter, Aubrey Cyphert, Dorian Davis, Anthony McWilliams, Lozaire Riley, Candis Sanders, Marcus Stanley, and Mondie Tharp

  • Global Health
    Karyn DeLuca and Wei Hao

  • Information Technology
    Nichole Williams

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Upcoming Events
*View all Rollins events on our new Online Calendar

Commencement
May 14, 2012
11 a.m.
Adjacent to the Grace Crum Rollins Building

Rollinsteer Day of Service
August 28, 2012

Rollins Alumni Weekend

September 29, 2012
4 p.m. – 9 p.m.

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Campaign Emory
Campaign Emory

RSPH and WHSC exceed campaign goals

The Woodruff Health Sciences Center (WHSC) development team, which includes the RSPH Office of Development and External Relations, has exceeded its $1.07 billion goal (representing the majority of Emory's $1.6 billion goal)! WHSC is at 100.5% of its goal—eight months ahead of schedule.

RSPH met its $150 million goal 15 months ahead of schedule and to date has raised over 108%—or over $163 million—of its goal for Campaign Emory.

Just think—WHSC has garnered more than $1 billion to benefit students, patients, faculty, and the community! This is an extraordinary achievement and contribution to the Emory community. Let's keep up the momentum.

Your continued support helps build our endowments for teaching and research, scholarships, programs, and facilities. To learn more, visit Campaign Emory.

Campaign Emory
   


To view The Dean’s Letter online, visit our web page. To submit news items for future issues, please contact Tarvis Thompson-Pace, Rollins Communications Manager, at 727-3516 or tthomp8@emory.edu, or Pam Auchmutey in Health Sciences Publications at 712-9265 or pam.auchmutey@emory.edu.

 
       

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