News

Former Dean Michael Merson's December 2004 Message to the EPH Community

December 17, 2004

Dear Faculty, Staff, Students, Alumni and Friends:

As many of you know, I am stepping down as Dean of Public Health and Chair of the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health (EPH), effective December 31. It has been an enormous privilege for me to work with EPH's talented faculty and dedicated staff, to teach and advise our enthusiastic students, and to get to know many of our supportive alumni.

I look back on our achievements in strengthening EPH over the last ten years with great pride. During that time, our faculty size has increased by over 50%, our academic and research scholarship has measurably advanced, as evidenced by the more than doubling of our grant income and the establishment of highly productive research centers, and the number of applicants to our doctoral program has increased more than three-fold. Additionally, we have started three new academic degree programs, refurbished and expanded many of our teaching and research facilities, and significantly increased our visibility throughout the University and in broader public health communities.

Last year, EPH was reviewed by a committee appointed by Yale's Provost (the “Review Committee”). Such reviews are standard, and are conducted every 10-15 years at Yale's professional schools. The Review Committee's report emphasized the importance of a strong public health presence at the University, and made some important recommendations regarding our divisional structure, research and teaching programs, future faculty recruitments and relationship with the medical school. These recommendations present us with the challenge and opportunity to carefully consider how EPH can best meet existing and emerging needs in public health research, education and practice, taking into account the many public health challenges before us.

In responding to the Review Committee's report, Yale President Richard Levin has emphasized the University's commitment to further enhancing the presence of public health at Yale. He has requested that EPH identify areas of excellence on which to focus resources, and seek ways to take full advantage of Yale's rich potential for interdisciplinary academic collaborations by building additional linkages with schools, departments and programs around the University. Potential linkages stem from many University initiatives, including its globalization efforts, its plans to develop a new health studies curriculum at Yale College, and the expanded program in clinical research anticipated by the medical school.

In response to the recommendations of the Review Committee and the University, I have established a Strategic Planning Committee charged with developing an innovative vision and strategy for EPH's future. That committee has begun its deliberations, plans to seek advice from a wide range of colleagues both within the Yale community and beyond over the next few months, and will produce a draft plan by March 2005. This process presents us an opportunity to consider and develop new programs, resources, and collaborations with colleagues throughout the University who share our public health mission.

The next year will undoubtedly be an exciting and demanding one at EPH, as we complete our strategic planning process, conduct a self-study in preparation for a reaccreditation site visit in the autumn of 2006, recruit new faculty in a variety of fields, partner with Yale College in the development of its health studies curriculum, and launch our new one-year M.P.H. program for physicians and other professionals working in the health sciences.

While the search for a new Dean of Public Health and department Chair is conducted, I am delighted that Brian Leaderer, who has served as Deputy Dean and Vice Chair of EPH since 2002, has agreed to serve as our Interim Dean and Chair. I am similarly pleased that Nancy Ruddle, who, also since 2002, has been our Director of Graduate Studies, has agreed to serve as Interim Deputy Dean and Vice Chair. Brian's and Nancy's exceptional talents and extensive knowledge of EPH and Yale will be tremendous assets to EPH, and I have ultimate confidence in their leadership.

In closing, I would like to express my deep gratitude to all of you for your support and efforts over the last ten years. Following a sabbatical, I plan to return to the EPH faculty to continue my teaching and research, and to help shape and share in EPH's future accomplishments.

Sincerely,

Michael H. Merson, M.D.