Dean’s Letter – Winter 2025
Dean's letter text
As we celebrate the 55th anniversary of the UIC School of Public Health, I find myself reflecting on how far we have come—and how the challenges we face today continue to call on our creativity, ingenuity, resilience, and collective action. Public health has never been static. It evolves with the times, and our school has always risen to meet the moment.
Over the past year, we’ve held a series of listening sessions—both within SPH and with our external partners. These conversations have been powerful reminders of the strength of our community. Whether pivoting research to address urgent needs, supporting students holistically, or helping our partners navigate an ever-changing landscape, we’ve shown what it means to lead with compassion and innovation. One recent highlight was an expert panel featuring public health leaders from across Chicagoland. As they reflected on what they wished they had learned during their training, there were knowing smiles among our faculty—because many of those very topics are now embedded in our new curriculum. It was a moment of affirmation: SPH is not just keeping pace
with the field—we’re helping shape its future.
This year’s Healthviews centers on the theme of addressing emerging challenges in public health. From innovating public health communications, to new models of workforce development, and to healthy aging, our field needs bold ideas now more than ever. One of the privileges of serving as dean is seeing firsthand the work our students, faculty, alumni, and partners are doing to improve health locally and globally. Their stories—many of which you’ll find in this issue—are a testament to the values on which this school was founded: equity, community engagement, and a commitment to health as a human right.
As we look to the future, I’m inspired by the energy and determination within our community. The next 55 years will undoubtedly bring challenges we cannot yet imagine—but I am confident that UIC SPH will remain a place where ideas take root, leaders are cultivated, and meaningful change begins.
Thank you for being part of this journey with us. I invite you to explore this year’s magazine, celebrate our history, and imagine what we can accomplish together in the years ahead.
In good health,
Wayne H. Giles, MD, MS
Dean of the UIC School of Public Health