A Message from the Associate Dean
M.A. Krousel-Wood, MD, MSPH, associate dean for graduate medical education

As you embark on the next phase of your education, this is an excellent time to consider expanding your educational opportunities to include public health training. A report of the Institute of Medicine indicated a sense of urgency in the need for an effective public health system that can respond to the public health threats that “range from AIDS and bioterrorism to an epidemic of obesity.” Public health has been defined as “the combination of sciences, skills, and beliefs that is directed to the maintenance and improvement of the health of all the people.” In the current era of medicine, physicians must understand not only patient-specific issues but also public health and population-specific healthcare approaches. The MD/MPH Program provides the foundation for both.

The mission of the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine is to advance public health knowledge, promote health and well-being, and prevent disease, disability, and premature mortality. Each of the seven departments helps fulfill the Mission within the realms of their area of concentration. Students may select the concentration of their MPH degree in one of the following departments: Biostatistics, Community Health Sciences, Environmental Health Sciences, Epidemiology, Health Systems Management, International Health, or Tropical Medicine. Each department offers unique experiences and strengths. Students are encouraged to discuss career options and degree requirements with the faculty advisors in each department.

Graduates of the combined degree program have reported that having the MPH degree broadened their perspective of medical education and increased their residency and career opportunities. Career paths of MD/MPH graduates include academics, clinical research, international health, public policy, public health administration, health care administration and consultation, and practice management. Other potential career paths include positions that focus on integrating clinical and basic biology with public health strategies.

We invite you to explore the possibilities with the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. The combined MD/MPH degree offers a unique opportunity to complete medical and public health training in four years. More importantly, the combined degree program allows you an excellent avenue to maximize your educational experiences and to position you for leadership roles in the future.