Last week was quite a week at the Jefferson School of Population Health. On Tuesday we hosted our first Orientation to welcome our incoming students, and Wednesday – 09/09/09 – was the first day of classes for the new school. Appropriately enough, President Obama brought his case for health care reform before a joint session of Congress that very same evening.
It’s likely that the students we greeted last week – the inaugural class of the Jefferson School of Population Health – will have witnessed historic changes to the way we organize and deliver health care in the United States – all by the time they complete their first year as a JSPH student. I continue to be amazed at the synchronous path we at JSPH continue to follow with our nation’s top domestic agenda in passing meaningful health care reform. I know that our students are tuned into our national dialogue on health care reform and how it meshes with our mission of preparing leaders with global vision to develop, implement and evaluate health policies and systems that improve the health of populations, and thereby enhance the quality of life.
The healthcare industry plays an increasingly vital role in our national economy, as employer and generator of almost 20 percent of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The intensifying complexity of this industry in an era of heightened expectations and scrutiny means that there is both need and demand for professionals and researchers who are well versed and prepared to assume leadership roles in public health, health policy and healthcare quality and safety.
To the members of our inaugural class, we look forward to serving you, and wish you success in the 2009-2010 academic year as we work together to fulfill our mission. The future of the United States as a vibrant nation depends on the nation’s leaders bringing affordable, quality health care to all Americans, and we will play a significant role in training and equipping these leaders for the job.
It’s likely that the students we greeted last week – the inaugural class of the Jefferson School of Population Health – will have witnessed historic changes to the way we organize and deliver health care in the United States – all by the time they complete their first year as a JSPH student. I continue to be amazed at the synchronous path we at JSPH continue to follow with our nation’s top domestic agenda in passing meaningful health care reform. I know that our students are tuned into our national dialogue on health care reform and how it meshes with our mission of preparing leaders with global vision to develop, implement and evaluate health policies and systems that improve the health of populations, and thereby enhance the quality of life.
The healthcare industry plays an increasingly vital role in our national economy, as employer and generator of almost 20 percent of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The intensifying complexity of this industry in an era of heightened expectations and scrutiny means that there is both need and demand for professionals and researchers who are well versed and prepared to assume leadership roles in public health, health policy and healthcare quality and safety.
To the members of our inaugural class, we look forward to serving you, and wish you success in the 2009-2010 academic year as we work together to fulfill our mission. The future of the United States as a vibrant nation depends on the nation’s leaders bringing affordable, quality health care to all Americans, and we will play a significant role in training and equipping these leaders for the job.
- Caroline Golab, PhD
Associate Dean, Academic and Student Affairs
Jefferson School of Population Health
