From the Woodruff Health Sciences Center

Reading the stories in this issue of Emory Public Health, I am deeply impressed by the many ways that Rollins experts are improving the lives of children and mothers around the globe. They are using the tools of scientific discovery to advance lifesaving changes in public health policy and practice in areas such as vaccine efficacy, chemical exposure, and hunger and malnutrition.

In fact, this is a primary goal of all the schools and units of the Woodruff Health Sciences Center (WHSC)—to improve the practice of health and healing through sound scientific research. Our schools of nursing and medicine, as well as our health system and primate center, are all engaged in similar efforts to conduct research to safeguard health at home and abroad. Our range of skills and scientific expertise were put to the test when two American missionaries infected with the Ebola virus were admitted to Emory University Hospital in August, followed by two more patients in September and October. The knowledge that we acquired in successfully treating these patients are being used by clinicians and public health practitioners in the United States, West Africa, and other regions to prevent, treat, and contain the virus.

I could not be more proud of the WHSC and Rollins as they strive in multiple ways to protect the health of children, adults, families, and communities everywhere.

S. Wright Caughman, MD
Executive Vice President for
Health Affairs, Emory University
CEO, Woodruff Health Sciences Center
Chairman, Emory Healthcare