Message from the Dean

As Dean of the College of Public Health, I am pleased to welcome you to UNMC's newest college. The college became fully operational on January 18, 2007 – less than six months after the Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska approved its establishment on July 28, 2006. The Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education endorsed the action on September 19, 2006.  

The addition of the College of Public Health adds an important new dimension to UNMC and sets us apart from many of the 125 academic medical centers in the country. We benefit from the already-accredited Master of Public Health (MPH) graduate program, which is now in its fifth year as a collaborative effort of UNMC and the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

The success of the MPH program owes much to the teaching contributions and service as preceptors by many colleagues in public health practice.  With the ongoing developments of the College those collaborative relationships have already begun to expand and these partnerships will accelerate in the months and years ahead.

The past six months have been an intense period of planning and design, which has benefited immensely from advice and support of colleagues and friends of public health throughout the state.  We deeply appreciate the enthusiasm expressed and contributions provided by the public health enterprise in Nebraska.

From October through December 2006, the Design and Implementation Task Force has met weekly. This task force has:

• Developed and refined an organizational structure.
• Created preliminary plans for new academic programs.
• Begun consultations with other colleges of public health on design issues. 

Several subcommittees, comprising faculty and staff across the university and colleagues in public health practice, are working on:

• Development of new doctoral programs.
• Plans for professional education (including expanded graduate offerings, continuing education and certificate programs), faculty recruitment, and environmental health sciences programs.

An External Advisory Council with 34 members from across the state also has been assisting us with the development of the college. These council members will enhance close ties between the college and Nebraska communities through diverse, critical perspectives on our education, research and service endeavors. 

A defining characteristic of public health is its multidisciplinary character engaging expertise in medicine, dentistry, nursing, public administration, education, government, behavioral sciences, political science, social work, law, communications, and other fields. Furthermore, schools and colleges of public health collaborate extensively with colleagues in health and human services and education institutions throughout the community. 

Dr. Harrison Spencer, President of the Association of Schools of Public Health underscored the importance of community collaboration in a letter supporting creation of the new UNMC College of Public Health.  He said,  “At the core of public health is its commitment to improving the health of all populations. . . . Schools of public health need to work in close partnership with local communities. . . . Schools of public health are unique institutions within universities for their close ties with community members.”

We invite you to regularly follow the progress of the College as we continue to develop new programs and facilities.

Jay Noren, M.D., M.P.H.
Dean College of Public Health