West Virginia University President Jim Clements on Wednesdayannounced plans for a new School of Public Health at theuniversity's Health Sciences Center.
Speaking at WVU's Capital Classic luncheon, Clements told anaudience of alumni, lawmakers and guests that the university alreadyhas about 80 percent of the requirements needed to establish theschool.
The school's focus will be on helping to solve West Virginia'shealth problems, including its high rates of obesity, heart disease,diabetes, tobacco use and drug abuse.
'The time is right to take this step,' WVU Health SciencesChancellor Christopher Colenda said in a statement. 'We already havein place about 80 percent of the faculty and other requirements wewould need for a nationally accredited school here.'
Some public health programs already exist in the WVU School ofMedicine, and enrollment has increased rapidly, according to thenews release. The master's of public health program has doubledenrollment since 2008. WVU also offers a master's degree in schoolhealth education and a doctoral program in public health sciences.
An independent, fully accredited school would allow the programsto expand to attract the best faculty and students, Colenda said inthe release. The school would also boost the investment in research,he said, which is important to better address the state's persistenthealth issues.
Health Sciences spokeswoman Amy Johns said WVU officials muststill determine when the school will open and how many studentscould enroll in the first class.
'A lot of those details are still in the works,' she said.
Students who enroll in the new school might choose to work infields that include health services administration, biostatistics,epidemiology, health education, environmental health andinternational health.
With an aging work force in the state's public health jobs, WVUbelieves graduates would find many career opportunities in thefield.
The WVU Board of Governors and the state Higher Education PolicyCommission would need to approve the new school's creation, Johnssaid.
lawrence pierce | Gazette West Virginia University President JimClements delivers the keynote speech during Wednesdays WVU CapitalClassic Luncheon at the Embassy Suites hotel in Charleston. Theluncheon, held each year on the day of the WVU-Marshall basketballgame, drew hundreds of alumni from the area, including acting Gov.Earl Ray Tomblin.
Reach Davin White
at davinwhite@wvgazette.com or 304-348-1254.
