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GW School of Public Health and Health ServicesAlumni

May 2008

Dean's Welcome

Greetings, Alumni!

I am honored to be able to introduce myself, albeit virtually, to the SPHHS Alumni Community. Non est gravis scire omnium responsum - est gravis scire reperir illum. (It is not important to know all the answers - it is important that you know how to find them.) As a teacher and researcher for the GW Health Policy department, I have always adhered to this guiding principle. As the new Acting Associate Dean for Student Affairs, I hope to put into practice this principle. I believe my role is to assist students in finding the answers to questions they have about the SPHHS, their degree programs, the academic community, and the larger public health community.

Additionally, I believe my role with SPHHS alumni to be much the same. It has been a pleasure to meet the handful of alumni that I have already met and I look forward to meeting more of you in the time to come. It is my goal, in meeting you, to re-connect you with SPHHS and answer any questions and listen to any concerns that you might have about what is happening with the School and your program. I also hope that, whether it is through my personal experience or the bountiful resources here at the school, I can assist you with your public health career path. Before coming to GW, I served as a public health analyst for the Heath Resources and Services Administration of the US DHHS. Prior to that, I was CEO of a community-based health services organization in Texas and a high school teacher so I fully understand the numerous transitions that can take place throughout one's career.

To that end, I hope to meet many of you at the Public Health Alumni Association Annual Meeting on May 28th and I hope you will take advantage of our new 'Alumni Lunch' program. This program provides you with the opportunity to have lunch with Dean Katz, the current department chair, and myself. The next one will be held for Global Health alumni on June 10th. Additional information for both events can be found below.

E. Blaine Parrish, PhD
Acting Associate Dean for Student Affairs

Kamden Hoffmann, MA '02, MPH '03 Receives Distinguish Alumni Service Award
PHAA President Kamden Hoffmann, MA '02 MPH '03 was one of five recipients of the annual Distinguished Alumni Service Award on April 10, 2008. The Award is given to graduates who advance the mission of the university through dedicated volunteer efforts in support of its programs, thereby ensuring the university's impact on its community and future generations of students. As president of the Public Health Alumni Association since 2006, Hoffmann has reorganized and revitalized the association. To read more about the awards ceremony and the recipients go here.

Get Involved!

SPHHS Annual Alumni Meeting and Elections
Please join us for the PHAA annual meeting on Wednesday, May 28th at 6:30pm at the Weingold Conference Center on the 6th floor of the GW Hospital. All recent graduates and current alumni are encouraged to attend. Elections for PHAA Board Member positions will occur, so come cast your vote or run for a Board position! Information about the open Board Member positions and the application is available here. Nominations are still being accepted. For more information, please visit the website. Reception to follow.

GW Colonials for the Cure - Komen Race for the Cure
PHAA invites you to walk, run, or even sleep-in for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure on Saturday, June 7th. PHAA has partnered with the GW Cancer Institute, the GW Alumni Association, the GW Hospital, and the GW Medical Faculty Associates to form the GW Colonials for the Cure team. All alumni, friends, faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to participate by raising awareness and funds to support breast cancer patients, survivors, and research. For more information and to register for the event, please visit the GW Colonials for the Cure team page.


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Division of Development and Alumni Relations - alumni@gwumc.edu or 202-994-7511
Public Health Alumni Association - phaa@gwumc.edu
Health Services Management and Leadership Alumni Association - hsmlaa@gwu.edu