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Yale Public Health Magazine

School Community Members Respond to the State of the School

YSPH community members reflect on Dean Megan L. Ranney’s State of the School address, and discuss the future of public health.

Science & Society: Fall/Winter 2024
3 Minute Read

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Nicole Deziel, PhD, MHS

Dr. Nicole Deziel is an associate professor of epidemiology (Environmental Health Sciences)

"I’m really excited about the vision that has been laid out. We have strategic and inspiring leadership from the dean, which I appreciate. And the strategic plan was done collectively with my colleagues and peers.

I envision a future of public health where we have clean energy, and we make a responsible energy transition where we can have technology and growth, but not sacrifice communities."


Jeffrey Townsend, PhD

Dr. Jeffrey Townsend is the Elihu Professor of Biostatistics and Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

"I was struck by the effort to include our communications as part of what we’re doing as public health scientists. I think it’s true, even in basic science, that what we do in science is to investigate facts about the world, and then communicate our findings to others. In public health, it’s even more true that we need to not just do our science, but communicate it to others, because communication is not just part of the science, but also part of the practice of public health."


Melinda Irwin, PhD, MPH

Dr. Melinda L. Irwin is the Susan Dwight Bliss Professor of Epidemiology and Associate Dean of Research at the Yale School of Public Health, Deputy Director of the Yale Cancer Center, and Deputy Director (Public Health) in the Yale Center for Clinical Investigation

"I am so inspired and motivated, I just want to get working! (We’ve been working all along, but now I’m really invigorated!) The vision, mission, strategic initiatives, and research areas of focus are so aligned with our school, but they challenge us. They challenge us to think bigger, think bolder, to collaborate more with people we maybe never thought to collaborate with across the University, but also external partners. It is a paradigm shift, but I think the school is ready for this."


Olivia Kachingwe, PhD, MPH

Dr. Olivia Kachingwe is an assistant professor of public health (Social and Behavioral Sciences)

"I’m excited that many of the goals for the future keep us rooted in who we are – an institution that’s focused on innovative research and teaching – but are also pushing us as faculty to think about where the world is going. What really inspired me was hearing about a focus on the health care ecosystem and its connection to people’s lived experiences, and how, as researchers, we can more critically think about how different sectors are integrated, with the goal of developing equity-minded policies and practices."


Lisa D. Jones, RN, MPH ’04

Lisa D. Jones is a health care clinician and clinical informaticist in Maryland.

"I think this moment, as an alumna, is so pivotal as we’re redefining who we are as a school and how we’re forging ahead. We’re going through this big-tent moment where we’re bringing everyone in who has the expertise, interest, passion, and understanding that we need to move forward in public health, and health care. For me, as a clinician working in health care management and delivery, what I found so inspiring about what Dean Megan Ranney presented is the realization that we need to take a first crucial step to make change happen."


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Issue Contents

Features
YSPH Steps into the Future
YSPH Celebrates Its Independence at First-Ever State of the School Address
Shared Humanity Podcast Addresses Gun Violence
Leaders in Public Health Dean’s Speaker Series
New Program Helps Students Listen with Compassion
Humanitarian Research Lab
Elm City Health
Leaning into Data Science & Data Equity
Health & Veritas Podcast
Dean’s Message
Linking Science & Society Makes Public Health Foundational to Every Community
Advances
Cities are Unprepared for Climate Change
Noninvasive Malaria Test Could Be a Global Game Changer
PFAS Toxicity: Study Suggests Cancer Cell Migration
Chemical Additives Shown To Be in 'Non-Menthol' Cigarettes
Maternal Vaccination During Pregnancy
Voices
School Community Members Respond to the State of the School
Students
Students Discuss the Future of Public Health
Alumni
Welcome from Alumni Association President Kathe Fox
A Gift From Indra Nooyi and Raj Nooyi Will Help Train Tomorrow's Public Health Leaders
YSPH Receives Major Gift to Support Emerging Health Challenges
Ted Witek is YSPH's Distinguished Alumnus for 2024
Alumnifire
Alumni News - Fall 2024
In Memoriam
In Memoriam - Fall 2024
School Notes
Breaking Boundaries: Remembering Dr. Gregory Tignor
Data Equity Conference
Follow Our Historic Timeline
Awards & Honors
Awards & Honors Fall 2024

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