Vanderbilt MPH Program
Mission Statement and Objectives

Mission

The mission of the Vanderbilt MPH Program is to prepare research scientists and public health professionals to be leaders and innovators dedicated to improving the public health and preventing disease and disability in a program environment rich in learning, discovery, and service.

Goals

To fulfill its mission, the Vanderbilt MPH Program has the following goals:

• Educate innovative and effective public health researchers, faculty, and practitioners.
• Advance knowledge in the public health sciences through research and discovery.
• Contribute to sound public health policies and practices through dissemination of knowledge and community collaboration.

Objectives

The three goals of the Vanderbilt MPH Program are both distinct and inter-related. For example, we believe that a critically effective way to support our teaching and service is through a strong emphasis on research. On the other hand, teaching and research are enhanced enormously through faculty and student involvement in public health policy and service activities. This is reflected in our goals and in the interdependence of our objectives for achieving them. We pursue each of our goals through meeting the objectives listed under them.

• Educate innovative and effective public health researchers, faculty, and practitioners.
  • Recruit highly talented students with cultural diversity who are committed to public health and will likely make substantial contributions to the field.
  • Provide students exposure to outstanding faculty in the range of disciplines and specialties consistent with the program’s mission.
  • Provide excellent educational programs and opportunities.
  • Promote lifelong learning.
• Advance knowledge in the public health sciences through research and discovery.
  • Contribute scientific knowledge in the public health disciplines.
  • Foster an environment that promotes creativity, collaboration, and interdisciplinary research.
  • Train researchers and public health practitioners to compete successfully for funding in the public health sciences.
• Contribute to sound public health policies and practices through dissemination of knowledge and community collaboration.
  • Build and foster community alliances that bridge public health science and practice.
  • Engage in collaborative research, training, and service activities with governmental and non-governmental organizations in the community.
  • Disseminate public health knowledge and research findings to policy-makers, public health professionals, and the general community.

Diversity

The Master of Public Health program values diversity in our students and in our faculty. We believe that having a diverse learning community enhances the experience for all of our learners and results in better outcomes for public health. Here are some of the efforts we have taken to enhance our diversity:

• Dr. Bettina Beech serves as the Director of Minority Recruitment and Retention. Dr. Beech serves as a resource for under-represented minority students during the application process and throughout the MPH experience. Dr. Beech is also available to work with any student who has an interest in diversity issues or health disparities.
• We believe that students benefit from a community of mentors that can address all of their needs. Therefore we work with all students to identify faculty with diverse perspectives and experiences to serve on their mentoring committees.
• To encourage under-represented students to apply for the MPH program, we recently introduced the David Satcher Scholarship, which is a merit-based scholarship designed to attract under-represented minority students into the program. More information on this exciting opportunity is available from the MPH program coordinator.

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