I want the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health to be a great place and a great place to work­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­-- a place where contributions made by faculty, students and staff can change the world. We should be a school that supports and nurtures you, one that celebrates diversity and inclusion, and a place that helps faculty lead healthy, fulfilled lives. We must recognize that you have lives beyond our walls, and all the joys and sorrows that come with life.  I want this School to be a place where you will come to work each day excited by challenges and opportunities and then leave each night feeling that you've done something to make a difference. In the end, from talking with many of you, I believe we share that need to make a difference.

 

We have the privilege and great responsibility to train the next generation of public health leaders, advance the science of public health and turn knowledge into evidence, action and practice. As a public university we have a special obligation and responsibility to the citizens of North Carolina; and, over the years, our School's research, teaching and engaged practice have led to remarkable discoveries and great contributions to North Carolina and the world. Our commitment goes beyond our state's borders; we are global citizens. There is no contradiction in simultaneously being both global and local citizens.

 

We have significant challenges ahead to make a difference to the health of people in North Carolina and around the world. These include: attracting and supporting the best students, training tomorrow's leaders, wisely managing our resources and securing continued funding in an era of shrinking federal and state resources. It's been a very challenging couple of years, and it's painful not to be able to recognize your many contributions in traditional ways. Still, I am confident that we have what it takes to survive and thrive. Working together, we can make a difference, even now.

 

I am proud and grateful to be dean and a faculty member of this outstanding School. Please feel free to email me any time. I'm here if you have issues or concerns or you want to tell me about ways we can improve the School (or how I can do better).

 

I like to know about recent papers you've published and grants and awards you've received. I  do a much better job advocating for the School when I can talk substantively about your work. Feel free also to offer suggestions about content for my blog. I will continue to use it to advocate for the School and you, and to raise important issues of the day.

 

Thank you for all you do!

 

Warmly, Barbara