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EPH Welcomes Incoming Students

On August 26, EPH welcomed its incoming class of 130 M.P.H. students, the largest class in its history.

As part of a two-day orientation, students were welcomed by Michael H. Merson, M.D., Anna M.R. Lauder Professor and Dean of Public Health, who told students “you didn't come here for money or prestige, you came here to make a difference in people's lives.” In describing the public health profession, he emphasized the centrality of disease prevention, the scientific and interdisciplinary approaches necessary to solving public health problems, and the mandate to work towards a goal of enabling all citizens to achieve what EPH founder Charles-Edward Armory Winslow described as their "birthright of health and longevity.”

This year's class is 77% female and 23% male. Hailing from 32 states and countries around the globe, the students trained in 89 U.S. and 10 foreign institutions and had 42 different academic majors. 17% of students in the incoming class are members of underrepresented groups, and 10% are international students. Thirteen percent of the members of the class have advanced degrees, including 14 M.D. degrees, 1 M.S. and 1 Ph.D.

Seven students will seek joint degrees (4 with the School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, 2 with the School of Medicine and 1 with the School of Management). Students entered the various academic programs of EPH as follows: Biostatistics, 1; Chronic Disease Epidemiology, 18; Environmental Health Sciences, 11; Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, 17; Global Health, 17; Health Management, 21; Health Policy and Administration, 21; and Social and Behavioral Sciences, 24.

In addition to the incoming M.P.H. class, 2 new M.S. in Biostatistics and 14 new Ph.D. students entered EPH this fall.

Following orientation and the first week of classes, students had the opportunity to relax and to meet EPH faculty and staff during an evening barbeque on September 7.

-Story by Christy Gordon