Shaping the future

Dean James W. Curran

Dean James W. Curran

Featured on the cover of this issue is Jean Cadet, an RSPH student and physician from Haiti. He is among the students and alumni who responded to the nation’s earthquake disaster. Students like Dr. Cadet remind us that all of us in public health share a desire to relieve suffering by preventing disease and improving health.

Rollins would not be where it is today without those highlighted in this issue, including our faculty leaders. Neurotoxicologist Gary Miller, associate dean for research, is guiding the development and use of laboratory space in the new Claudia Nance Rollins Building. Lance Waller, Rollins Professor and chair of the Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, also is associate director of Emory’s Center for Comprehensive Informatics. Just recently, epidemiologist Viola Vaccarino became Rollins Professor and chair of the Department of Epidemiology, broadening our expertise and collaborations in cardiovascular disease.

We all paused to celebrate this spring when President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act into law. This historic step will aid thousands of people with no health insurance and limited access to health care. Included in this package are measures to reduce obesity and chronic disease. Woodruff Professor and health policy expert Kenneth Thorpe was key to making these measures a national priority.

Just outside my office window, the future of the RSPH is taking shape. Workers will soon complete construction of the Claudia Nance Rollins Building, which we will dedicate on October 6, 2010. Attached by bridge to the Grace Crum Rollins Building, completed in 1994, the RSPH will now have 330,000 square feet of outstanding space for learning and discovery. The building exemplifies the growth that is propelling our school forward. We hope you will help us celebrate this milestone in October.

Sincerely,

James W. Curran, MD, MPH
James W. Curran Dean of Public Health

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spring 2010 cover