Message from the Dean

Welcome to the redesigned and rechristened Rollins magazine. With the changes you will find in these pages, we are embracing the distinctive identity of our school with a new name, a fresh layout, and revamped content. We hope to become even more relevant, informative, and inspiring—a “must-read” for the Rollins community that respects your time and priorities while keeping you updated on what’s happening back on Clifton Road as well as with faculty and alumni around the globe.

We are introducing two recurring features. “Redefining the Unacceptable” builds on our belief that we must recast what we can no longer tolerate, taking action based on advances in our understanding to change the situation. In our first “Redefining the Unacceptable” feature, Rollins and Emory experts weigh in on what it will take to end the AIDS epidemic.

Another recurring feature, “Contributions,” will focus on the impact an alum is making in his or her particular area. In this issue, we highlight the work of Landry Dongmo Tsague 07MPH. While still a Foege Fellow at Rollins, Landry launched the Pan-African Medical Journal, which is now the second most influential open-access medical journal in Africa.

This issue also chronicles the path that has led us to the near eradication of Guinea worm disease. It would be impossible to overstate the enormity of this accomplishment. Spearheaded by former President Jimmy Carter, a close ally of Rollins, and aided by numerous Rollins alumni, The Carter Center’s Guinea worm eradication program is poised to wipe out a disease that has afflicted the world’s poorest populations for centuries.

Through our Certificate of Humanitarian Emergencies program, many of our alumni serve on the front lines of unfolding crises, such as the Haiti earthquake and the Ebola epidemic. The Syrian refugee crisis is no exception. We look at the efforts of one graduate, Ramadan Assi 07MPH, whose work as country director in Turkey places him in the middle of the largest refugee crisis since World War II.

Finally, as we continue to celebrate our 40th year as a program and 25th as a school, we share some photos of the celebration commemorating these milestones.

Enjoy this issue of Rollins magazine.

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