WHAT: The University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health marks 70 years since the founding of the school with a two-day celebration of the history and future of public health education, practice and research. The event also will mark the second-ever all-classes alumni reunion and a building rededication ceremony recognizing the completion of its six-year, more than $70 million “Building for a Healthier World” renovation and expansion project. 

 

 

 

• Donald S. Burke, M.D., dean of Pitt Public Health, as well as distinguished university professor of health science and policy and UPMC Jonas Salk Professor of Global Health at Pitt.

 

• David Satcher, M.D., Ph.D., former U.S. Surgeon General, and founding director and senior advisor of the Satcher Health Leadership Institute at the Morehouse School of Medicine.

 

• Peter Salk, M.D., son of polio vaccine inventor Dr. Jonas Salk, scientific director of the Jonas Salk Legacy Foundation and visiting professor in Pitt Public Health’s Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology.

 

 

• 10:30 a.m. to noon: Pitt Public Health Research Showcase

• 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.: 70th Anniversary Celebration, Building Rededication and Keynote Address

 

 

• 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.: Concurrent sessions:

o The Salk Legacy

o Local Public Health Panel of Faculty and Alumni

 

• 11:00 a.m. to noon: Concurrent sessions:

o The Opioid Crisis

o Global Public Health Panel of Faculty and Alumni

 

• Noon to 4 p.m.: Service Activities, Building Tours and Workshops

 

WHERE: University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, 130 DeSoto Street, Pittsburgh, 15213.

 

WHY: Attendees will learn of the enduring legacy of public health education, service and science in Pittsburgh, as well as Pitt’s continued dedication to translating research into public health practices, policies and ventures that improve the health of populations regionally, nationally and globally.

 

As keynote speaker, Satcher will bring his perspective as a physician-scientist, four-star admiral and public health administrator with an extensive track record of leadership, research and community engagement. As the 16th U.S. Surgeon General, Satcher spearheaded the development of Healthy People 2010, a nationwide health promotion and disease prevention agenda that included the elimination of racial and ethnic disparities in health care as one of its goals.

 

Salk will share his personal account of his father’s work on the polio vaccine development during his years at Pitt, and the 21st century work now underway to move his father’s vision forward.

 

Alumni and faculty panels will highlight the school’s impact on local and global health issues, ranging from LGBT health to epidemic response.

 

Finally, Burke will moderate a panel of experts across the public health disciplines to discuss opioid epidemic research, modeling, challenges and responses.

 

Note to Media: To cover this event, prearrangements must be made by contacting Allison Hydzik at 412-647-9975 or hydzikam@upmc.edu.