Room to grow
Dean James W. Curran
I have always admired people who build things. My father spent more than 40 years building homes in Detroit, where I was raised. He taught me the importance of vision, discipline, collaboration, specialized skills, and hard work. Those who have played a role in our history know these values well as we celebrate 35 years as a program and 20 years as a school. Neither milestone would be possible without the wisdom of early leaders who believed in promoting health locally and globally.
While our mission remains constant, the size and scope of our efforts continue to grow. This fall, we dedicated the Claudia Nance Rollins Building, joined by a glass bridge with the Grace Crum Rollins Building. The bridge has become a favorite place, connecting students, faculty, and visitors in one of the most modern public health school complexes in the world.
The addition of a second building helps us serve the largest class of students in our school’s history and accommodate the expansion of our faculty and staff. Researchers who were spread out in eight locations now work together in our facilities. The school’s expansion also broadens our collaborations in public health, medicine, and nursing in Atlanta and beyond.
This year marks my 15th year as dean, and the future of public health has never been brighter. For students embarking on new careers, the prospects are exciting and constantly changing. New horizons still beckon as we live and work longer. Yet our vision for public health is just what Rollins’ pioneers intended—to extend the benefits of health to all.
Sincerely,
James W. Curran, MD, MPH
James W. Curran Dean of Public Health
