New Names, New Leadership, and New Reasons to Look To Michigan Public Health in the Semester Ahead

We are excited to kick off another school year at Michigan Public Health! The hallways are beginning to fill, and the semester ahead promises excitement and innovation. As the academic year gains momentum, the Michigan Public Health community already has much to celebrate. This includes a new name for the Department of Health Behavior & Health Equity, previously the Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, new leadership with Dr. Veera Baladandayuthapani as the Chair of Biostatistics and Dr. Darrell Hudson as the Chair of Health Behavior & Health Equity, and welcoming over 600 new students.

Department renamed Health Behavior & Health Equity to Reflect Longstanding Commitment to Health Equity

Meet Dr. Veera Baladandayuthapani, Chair of Biostatistics

Meet Dr. Darrell Hudson, Chair of Health Behavior & Health Equity

From Your Chief Development Officer

Welcome back to the Standard, and to the academic year ahead. We are already feeling energy of the year pick up, and are excited for the many opportunities to welcome alumni back to the School of Public Health this year, as well as connect on the road.

We are kicking off the year with much to celebrate, including two new chairs here at the School of Public Health. Dr. Veera Baladandayuthapani will serve a four-year term leading our Biostatistics department. We also welcome Dr. Darrell Hudson to our SPH community as chair of the newly renamed Department of Health Behavior & Health Equity. Both Dr. Baladandayuthapani and Dr. Hudson bring tremendous leadership to our school.

The beginning of a new school year also brings many new opportunities for mentorship and student engagement. The Student-to-Alumni mentoring program is entering its sixth year with a new look and feel, but with the same energy behind the call for committed mentors. Additionally, our SPH Careers team is introducing school-wide career fairs this year, integrating alumni voices throughout the fairs. We hope you will consider lending your time and expertise to support students through these initiatives.

In addition to engaging with students, we are excited to welcome alumni back to campus for a number of receptions and lectures. Join us for a Homecoming Open House on September 13, save the date for the Fall Health Equity Symposium on September 27, and register for the Griffith Leadership Biannual Symposium on October 25. Don't miss the many alumni events on the SPH events calendar and linked below.

The Fall season always reminds us of the tremendous impact that giving has on our students' ability to come and study with us. We are deeply grateful to those who choose to give to SPH, supporting student scholarships, faculty research, and a variety of other charitable needs that sustain our vibrant community. We look forward to celebrating philanthropy throughout the year and are grateful to our alums who continue to choose to give to the School.

The achievements of our alumni continue to inspire us all. Please take a moment to update your SPH classmates and colleagues with your latest accomplishments through our Submit a Note feature or share a Shout Out to recognize your fellow SPH alumni.

Thank you for being an important part of the Michigan Public Health community.

Go Blue!

Tony Wagener

Chief Development Officer

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Do you know of an inspiring story in the making? At Michigan Public Health, we love the opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of our alumni. We're eager to hear about fellow graduates who are making noteworthy contributions to the field of public health, generously sharing their expertise, skills, and dedication for the greater good. Whether they're actively advancing our school's mission of creating a healthier and more equitable world, or showcasing their commitment to the public's welfare through their actions, we want to know.

Read more Michigan Public Health stories.

University of Michigan School of Public Health

Office of Development and Alumni Engagement

734-764-8093 | sph.alumni@umich.edu | sph.umich.edu/alumni