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Vision Toward

School of Public Health AN IMPACTFUL

DEAN’S MESSAGE

Ashish Joshi, PhD, MBBS, MPH

Dean and Distinguished University Professor

The University of Memphis School of Public Health (SPH) aims to become one of the most impactful and solution centric schools of public health through its SPH-CARES approach providing academic excellence, translating research into practice, offering data driven, evidence-informed solutions by being entrepreneurial, innovative and producing today’s and tomorrow’s public health innovators, researchers, educators, practitioners and leaders to address public health challenges in the 21st century.

In a world of pressing health concerns,

is committed to addressing the newest challenges by conducting rigorous research, providing evidence-based solutions, promoting public health challenges and preparing world-class public health leaders...

| Entrance to the University of Memphis campus at the Hunter Harrison Memorial Bridge

...to elevate the health of our communities, locally and globally.

SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH

MISSION (SPH-CARES)

To advance health and well-being of all populations while engaging Communities, and being an Anchor institute, offering innovative academic programs, driving Research-based solutions, supporting Entrepreneurship and innovation while remaining Student-centric (CARES).

VISION

To achieve excellence in public health education and research while promoting greater community impact in local, national and global settings.

“SPH-CARES is an innovative model to translate excellence in public health education toward greater community impact.”

Ashish Joshi, PhD, MBBS, MPH Dean and Distinguished University Professor

SPH STRATEGIC PLAN 2023 —

At the University of Memphis School of Public Health, our mission extends beyond the classroom, to meet the needs of the constantly evolving world of public health. Taking this into consideration, we’ve defined seven strategic goals that guide our efforts to advance public health, promote innovation and make a measurable impact locally and globally.

These goals serve as a roadmap — shaping how we educate, engage with communities, conduct research and lead in the field of public health.

1: Aggressively Provide Access

Increase awareness of the SPH’s unique value to help grow enrollment and increase access.

2: Create Opportunities to Succeed

Encourage students to persevere and thrive in their educational experience and careers while creating a meaningful connection with the school.

3: Outcome-Focused

Focus on student success and prepare students for the workforce through an innovative yet rigorous, practical, well-rounded and supportive academic experience.

4: Strengthen Research Enterprise

Support impactful, interdisciplinary scholarship and research with world class infrastructure and researchers motivated to address local and global challenges.

5: Recruit, Retain, Reward, Recognize Our People

Provide opportunities for personal growth and professional development while recognizing and rewarding excellence and success and cultivating a respectful and supportive culture.

6: Exemplify Operational Excellence

Become an example of operational efficiency and effectiveness by creating and upholding high standards and expectations for resource utilization and accountability.

Increase valuable financial partnerships and improve resource allocation to promote growth through alignment of values, priorities and opportunities with application of best financial practices. 7: Generate and

SPH Growth

Since January 2023, the School of Public Health has made significant strides in advancing its mission, expanding its impact and strengthening its role as a leader in local and global health.

RESEARCH GROWTH

SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH INCREASES ITS RESEARCH FUNDING FROM $2 MILLION TO $27 MILLION OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS.

EXPANDED RESEARCH AND TEACHING EXPERTISE BY DOUBLING FACULTY HIRES.

5 NEW RESEARCH CENTERS ESTABLISHED 5 3 NEW RESEARCH LABS 3

99 99

SPH RISES IN RANKING TO 99 OUT OF 219 SCHOOLS AND PROGRAMS OF PUBLIC HEALTH. (2025 “U.S. News & World Report”)

19% 19

INCREASE IN STUDENT ENROLLMENT

DISTRIBUTION OF ALUMNI BY PROGRAM

EMPLOYMENT OF ALUMNI BY SECTOR

ALUMNI

Student Enrollment Trends

STUDENT - FACULTY RATIO

Courses

Research Centers and Labs

Center for Population Health Interventions and Outcomes

UofM SPH created a new research center in collaboration with the College of Public Health and Health Informatics (CPHHI), King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS) in Saudi Arabia.

CHOICE Center

UofM SPH established the Center for Cardiometabolic Health Outcomes and Interventions through Community Engagement in collaboration with Lifedoc to enhance the promotion and understanding of cardiometabolic conditions in the community.

Center for MCHEER

UofM SPH established the Center for Memphis Climate Health Environment Equity Research. The Center serves as an infrastructure to expand collaboration, build capacity, and engage communities to conduct transdisciplinary and translational research addressing complex health impacts from climate change and environmental pollution on vulnerable populations in the Greater Memphis area and beyond.

Center for PH-IDEAS

(Right)

Center for PH-IDEAS, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funded project, is a collaboration with the Shelby County Health Department and the UofM SPH, that brings together a multidisciplinary team with a wide range of expertise in public health research, practice, health informatics and data analysts, policymakers and evaluation experts along with co-participation of the communitybased organizations to address current and emerging health challenges to safeguard the wellbeing of communities.

(Above - Right to left) Dr. David Russomanno, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Professor Ashraf Elmetwally, Professor of Epidemiology, CPHHI, KSAU-HS and Dr. Ashish Joshi, SPH Dean

(Right) Dr. Michelle Taylor, Director of SCHD, Dr. Ashish Joshi, SPH Dean with students at the PH-IDEAS Experiential Learning Program: Inaugural Closing Ceremony 2023.

(Above - Left to right) Dr. Asma Ali, Dr. Maryam Karimi, Dr. Xinchen Mou, Dr. Ricky Leung, Dr. Hongmei Zhang, Mrs. Laura Granack, Dr. Pedro Velasquez, Dr. Ann K. Cashion, Mr. Andres Velasquez and Mr. Pedro Velasquez.

As part of the JPB Environmental Health Fellowship Program the center supports the local Memphis community by researching social and environmental determinants of health.

CRAIPH Center AI for Health Research Lab

UofM SPH established the Center for Responsible Artificial Intelligence in Public Health (CRAIPH) which serves as a research and training infrastructure to promote the responsible and transparent use of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in public health.

University of Memphis AI for Health Research (UofM-AIHR) Lab is a core initiative of CRAIPH. Funded by the NIH AIM-AHEAD Coordinating Center, the lab addresses pressing public health challenges through responsible use of artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML).

Public Health Diplomacy Lab

UofM SPH established the Public Health Diplomacy Lab. The Lab aims to enhance population health, improve collaboration and coordination among all collaborators to promote health and support access to healthcare to enhance good health and well-being.

Community Stress & Well-being Lab

UofM SPH established the Community Stress and Well-being Lab to improve outcomes to stress and mental health throughout the Mid-South, train graduate researchers and contribute to the SPH-CARES mission.

(Above) Dr. Alex Parkhouse with the lab team.

(Above - Left to right) Dr. Bill Hardgrave, UofM President and Dr. Ashish Joshi, SPH Dean.

(Above) CRAIPH works with Memphis-area health organizations to develop AI-informed educational programs while piloting AI devices with community partners.

(Above) The University of Memphis was 1 of 15 awardees selected for the Program for AI Readiness (PAIR) Cohort 2.

First School of Public Health TO CREATE AN INNOVATIVE ACADEMIC PATHWAY

The University of Memphis School of Public Health is proud to lead the nation with the first Public Health Dual Enrollment Pathway, giving high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to begin earning college credit toward a Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH), continuing through the doctoral level.

Offices of REAP

Recruitment + Admissions

Enrollment + Advisement

Assessment + Institutional Effectiveness

Practicum + Experiential Learning

SPH established comprehensive student success pathways to provide each student with an opportunity to succeed and develop their skill-set during their enrollment.

ALL SPH STUDENTS RECEIVE APHA MEMBERSHIP

UofM SPH is 1 of 8 schools nationwide to provide student membership to the American Public Health Association (APHA).

SPH OFFERS STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS

UofM SPH offers Dean’s Scholarships to incoming graduate students. Over $200,000 in scholarships are available to eligible graduate students.

SPH STUDENT ASSOCIATIONS

MHA Student Association (MHASA) and the Public Health Student Association (PHSA) provide opportunities for academic and professional growth through collaboration with community organizations and volunteer events and organize campus events that promote public health.

A Model of Public Health Education in High Schools

The University of Memphis School of Public is the first school to launch several initiatives geared toward promoting public health education for high school students across the nation and around the world.

PUBLIC HEALTH CLUBS

UofM SPH launched an innovative initiative implementing for the first time, Public Health Clubs in high schools.

DUAL ENROLLMENT

UofM SPH is one of the first schools in the nation to implement the Public Health Dual Enrollment pathway, giving high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to begin earning college credits toward a Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH), continuing through the doctoral level.

HACKATHON

UofM SPH Hackathon is a competition which challenges youth around the world to develop innovative solutions that address pressing public health issues in their communities.

Cordova High School (11th Grade) Public Health Club with their teacher Christina Henson.

Hackathon award ceremony.

LOCAL meets GLOBAL

UofM SPH in partnership with International Education and Resource Network (iEARN) offers the Public Health in Action curriculum to high school teachers and students around the globe. Participants have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in public health challenges through a series of workshops developed based on human-centered design principles. The curriculum was offered to 70 students in collaboration with teachers and facilitators from the participating schools, across 12 countries in 2024-25.

Public health engagement in high schools has expanded to 12 schools across 14 countries, reaching nearly 300 students.

International Public Health Initiatives

SPH is GLOCAL : Taking LOCAL

Implementing an approach that emphasizes both the interconnectedness and solutions of local and global public health challenges.

University of Memphis School of Public Health has developed partnerships across 200+ community organizations from multiple sectors including Tennessee Department of Health, Shelby County Health Department, schools, juvenile and criminal court, sheriff’s office and other community organizations.

The Tennessee Dementia ECHO Program has expanded by launching a West Hub through the University of Memphis. The provider education program helps educate providers across Tennessee on best practices for dementia care.

SPH welcomed Tennessee Health Commissioner, Dr. Ralph Alvarado, as a featured speaker at the Dean’s Grand Rounds Speaker Series.

SPH signs an Affiliate Agreement with the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH).

UofM SPH established the Center for PH-IDEAS in partnership with the SCHD.

TENNESSEE

SPH launches a “Speaker Series” with Shelby County Health Department (SCHD).

SHELBY COUNTY

Impact to GLOBAL Change

PORTUGAL

UofM SPH and University of Minho, Portugal signed a MOU to enable student exchange and enhance the educational experience and cross-cultural understanding of students from both institutions.

PERU

This MOU established a partnership between Rainforest Flow and SPH to advance global WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) education and research in the Manu Biosphere.

INDIA

UofM SPH signed a MOU with Panimalar Engineering College in Chennai, Tamil Nadu to offer public health programs and opportunities for credit transfer as part of this collaborative academic initiative.

SAUDI ARABIA

UofM SPH signed a MOU with the College of Public Health and Health Informatics at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences to enhance collaboration in academic programs, research initiatives, faculty development and student and community engagement — both in Memphis and Saudi Arabia.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is a formal framework for collaboration with Universities and Institutions.

Public Health Diplomacy

SPH hosted the First School of Public Health Diplomacy Summit

The three-day inaugural summit was organized at the University of Memphis School of Public Health in collaboration with the Global Network for Academic Public Health (GNAPH) and Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) — bringing together 29 participants from 15 countries, including representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA) — to identify strategies and competencies essential for advancing public health diplomacy.

Published Paper in Frontiers

“Summary of the Methods and Outcome of the 1st University of Memphis School of Public Health Diplomacy Summit”

Public health diplomacy addresses global challenges impacting societies, economies, the environment and health by integrating foreign policy and development. UofM SPH hosted an interactive human-centered design approach and concept mapping to facilitate discussions and generate actionable recommendations. By developing a working definition and action plan, cross-disciplinary collaboration can institutionalize public health diplomacy as a public health discipline.

Participants from each country are noted in the blue circles.

Contributing Organizations

Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH)

Global Network for Academic Public Health (GNAPH)

Asia-Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health (APACPH)

Association of Schools of Public Health in Africa (ASPHA)

Council of Academic Public Health Institutions Australia (CAPHIA)

Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region (ASPHER)

Latin American Alliance for Global Health (ALSAG)

South East Asia Public Health Education Institutions Network (SEAPHIN)

World Health Organization (WHO)

World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA)

Subject Matter Experts

Nine-Point Action Plan Guiding Principles

The participants of the Inaugural Public Health Diplomacy Summit — organized by the University of Memphis School of Public Health in collaboration with ASPPH and GNAPH — agreed to the following nine-point action steps:

1. Establish a Public Health Diplomacy Working Group globally. Member schools and programs from ASPPH and GNAPH will be invited to participate.

2. Create Public Health Diplomacy capacitybuilding group globally that will work with key public health training and academic institutions across various regions to gather insights into the skills and competencies essential for public health students.

3. Identify global and region-specific learning outcomes to prepare public health students to succeed in an interconnected and complex world through public health diplomacy.

4. Advance public health diplomacy initiative by engaging decision-makers and stakeholders, (including foreign services, ministries of health, academic institutes, civil society members, policy makers and other international organizations like WHO and UN) in your own region to create more awareness about the field.

5. Develop an online, interactive resource hub to disseminate Public Health Diplomacy Research, Innovation, Skills and Experiential (PHD-RISE) learning opportunities globally.

6. Organize events to help raise awareness about public health diplomacy in the field of public health.

7. Analyze and share the region’s experiences, best practices and achievements in public health diplomacy across various communication outlets to further develop the field.

8. Expand regional and institutional partnerships in collaboration with the University of Memphis School of Public Health, ASPPH and GNAPH to advance public health diplomacy.

9. Disseminate recommendations from participants to their respective institutions to move forward.

Establishing SPH as an Anchor Institute

ASPHER Deans’ and Directors’ Retreat

Organized in partnership with the Global Network for Academic Public Health (GNAPH), Dean Ashish Joshi presented ”Public Health Diplomacy Labs as a powerful solution to prepare a cadre of public health professionals with capacity to comprehensively connect socio-political life through health and advocate for engagement across disciplines.” The Deans’ and Directors’ Panel reflected on how the Public Health Diplomacy Lab model can be adapted for Europe and implemented at their institutions.

WHS Academic Alliance

The Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) and UofM SPH was invited to host the “Public Health Diplomacy: An Emerging Public Health Competency Toward Consensus Building, Negotiations and Multilateral Partnerships” session at the World Health Summit (WHS) Regional Meeting in New Delhi, India.

ASPPH Seminar

Dean Joshi served as a panelist for the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) webinar series titled: “Global Public Health Diplomacy: Opportunities for Effective Practice and Collaboration.”

Recognitions and Honors

The ASPPH Harrison C. Spencer Award for Outstanding Community Service was created to honor Dr. Spencer, who had a long-standing commitment to principles of social justice with a focus on community engagement to address the social determinants of health.

The Memphis City Council believes in recognizing institutions that promote the health and wellbeing of citizens in the community and align with the forward-moving and community-building direction of the City of Memphis.

Thank you to all of our