Rep. Castor and Sam Bell visit students ready to help solve world’s pressing public health problems
U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor visited the USF College of Public Health April 7 to commemorate National Public Health Week (April 6-12) and to help celebrate the college’s 30th anniversary.
The congresswoman was joined by COPH founder Sam Bell who, as a member of the Florida House of Representatives, was instrumental in pushing legislation that created the state’s first accredited public health college in 1984. They met with COPH Dean Donna Petersen, ScD, and students representing colleges’ diverse areas of study, from community and family health, global health and prevention research to public health practice and epidemiology.
“I want to thank you for all that you do to improve global health, prevent disease nationally and all your efforts locally,” Castor said to the students and faculty gathered in the college’s lobby. “USF Health understands the importance of integrating all its health colleges, including public health, for the betterment of students and to improve the lives of our entire community.”
Castor noted the USF College of Public Health’s boost in graduate program rankings, making it among the nation’s best in the latest U.S. News & World Report “America’s Best Graduate Schools” edition. She and Dr. Petersen also thanked Sam Bell for his vision in helping establish a strong public health college well positioned to respond systemically and at the grassroots level to the next 30 years of public health challenges.
Students represented the colleges’ diverse areas of study, from community and family health, global health and prevention research to public health practice and policy.
Read the full story with video at USF Health News.