Our Mission Strengthens Our Motivation

A student recently asked me how we can stay motivated amid all the turmoil in public health. It’s a fair question. And one all of us in public health have likely grappled with at some point in the past several months. My answer always comes back to just two things: the work and the people.

From students discovering the joy and satisfaction of connecting with communities; to faculty reimagining their research during times of change; to staff working long hours to make sure our students, faculty, and alumni are supported; I see our mission. I see our calling. Every day.

I am also inspired by the work of our public health practice colleagues and our peer academic institutions—many of whom have pushed for scientific integrity and public health action this year, some at great personal cost.

Our work at Emory began 50 years ago. That is when we launched our Master of Community Health program, which evolved into the globally recognized Rollins School of Public Health we know today. In this issue of Rollins Magazine, we look back at the people involved in the school’s early days in “A Story for the Ages,” then dive into some of our research milestones over the past five decades in “50 Years of Research at Rollins.” This story highlights several of our impact areas, which cover but a handful of our extensive research portfolio.

You also will learn more about our work and the public health issues impacting America’s youth and older adults in our contrasting features, “The Kids Are Not Alright” and “Aging Out of America.” And we examine the growing rate of HIV/AIDS cases in the Southern United States in our data visualization story. You can also catch up on the compelling professional journey of Niles Friedman in our alumni profile.

Some of our faculty have channeled their concerns and specific areas of expertise into thought pieces in a special op-ed section. I hope you will find inspiration as you read their words and as you learn about some of the important work happening at Rollins right now.

Public health is hurting. Perhaps more so than ever before. Critical funding and global collaborations have been cut. Misinformation and distrust in science have grown in prevalence. Political chasms have divided families and distorted our ability to communicate. The very real threats to scientific discovery, health, and safety have sadly also been manifested through violence, including the targeted attack at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that took the life of Officer David Rose, and shook the lives of our peers and colleagues.

Yet, all of us in public health keep moving public health forward—conducting research, teaching students, and growing partnerships. There is still much to do, and we at Rollins are able and ready to do the work.

It can be easy to lose faith. But when I remember the work and the people who are relentless in their passion, I am strengthened in my resolve. We do this work for the world. But we also do it for ourselves, our families, our neighbors, and all of those we hold most dear. Let us keep that as a reminder when we begin to feel off balance. We have much to be proud of. We do meaningful work at Rollins. We always have. We always will.  

M. Daniele Fallin, PhD
James W. Curran Dean of Public Health
Rollins School of Public Health
Emory University