Public Health in the 21st Century

At Rollins, students immerse themselves in public health practice from day one. Before their classes begin, first-year students divide into teams and fan out across Atlanta to volunteer with more than 20 community organizations. These students are part of Rollinsteer Day, an annual tradition that brings them together to work collaboratively and learn about the needs of the local community.

Students often choose Rollins because of the many strong ties it has with public health partners in Atlanta and around the world. These partners afford students opportunities for hands-on experience before they graduate to ready them for public health practice in the 21st century.

Our faculty are vital to preparing students for entry into the public health workforce. Last spring, we celebrated the retirement of global health professor and former CDC epidemiologist Stan Foster, who helped lead the global effort to eradicate smallpox. We salute him in this issue, along with David Kleinbaum, an award-winning teacher who has created a gift to support faculty who teach advanced epidemiology.

This year also marks the 10th anniversary of the William H. Foege Fellowships in Global Health. To date, 24 fellows from 22 countries have benefitted from this program, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. All are mid-career professionals who share a passion for addressing the world’s greatest health challenges, from improving nutrition for mothers and children to preventing chronic and infectious diseases. And, like their fellow students at Rollins, they are influential leaders in public health practice.

James W. Curran, MD, MPH

James W. Curran Dean of Public Health