It is a pleasure and honor to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health. As the “20 Days for 20 Years” story series highlighting the accomplishments of the college comes to an end, I congratulate you on a very successful virtual celebration.
These past 20 days have taken us on an inspiring journey through the history of the college and the accomplishments of its faculty, staff and students. With “20 Days for 20 Years,” despite the challenges of these unprecedented times, you have risen to the occasion by bringing us together for a heartfelt celebration.
I am continually impressed by the exceptional faculty, staff and students the college attracts from all over the world. Each of you brings diverse experiences to the college and strengthens our shared values. You are caring and compassionate, curious and determined, with an unwavering optimism about the future. Your enthusiasm for creating a more equitable and healthy world inspires all of us. Whether in the classroom or the field, your collaborative spirit and strong desire to accomplish amazing things is making a difference across the state and around the world.
I join Dean Iman Hakim in also acknowledging the vital support of our donors and partners, in particular the Zuckerman Family, whose gift helped transform an idea into a reality more than 20 years ago. Both on and off campus, there is an abundance of love for this college and its amazing faculty, staff, students and alumni. Along with the college’s dedicated supporters, they are passionate advocates for building healthier communities – locally, nationally and globally.
I also am grateful for the leadership, dedication and commitment of Dean Hakim, who was the driving force behind the expansion of the college to our Phoenix campus and the establishment of the Global Health Institute. Her leadership has propelled the college into the present era, a time defined both by the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the resiliency of the human spirit.
Public health is a vital endeavor within Health Sciences, as more people have come to appreciate during the pandemic that has changed so many lives. Now, more than ever, you should be proud of how far the college has come, not only for the impressive growth in programs, centers and research, but also for the profound positive impact the college has on public health.
Over the past 20 years, you have advanced science, pioneered programs and trained the next generation of leaders in public health. We all are eager to see what the next 20 years will bring for this dynamic college and the people who power it.
Michael D. Dake, MD
Senior Vice President
University of Arizona Health Sciences
