A Decade of Distinction

A look back at some of our many milestones as we look forward to the next decade. 

1. December 2011 Creating first new school in 50 years

2. July 2012 CEPH accreditation process begins

3. August 2012 New school vital to public health

   The Dominion Post highlights the importance of the new School of Public Health in the fight against obesity, heart disease, diabetes, tobacco use and prescription drug use in West Virginia.

4. August 2012 School welcomes 179 students

   First semester welcomes 179 students in the first new school to be created at WVU in more than 50 years.

5. November 2013 WVU Chapter of Delta Omega awarded Chapter of the Year at national meeting

   The Gamma Mu Chapter of Delta Omega at the West Virginia University School of Public Health received the 2013 Chapter of the Year Award at the organization’s Annual Meeting in Boston earlier this month. Delta Omega is the honorary society for graduate students in public health. This is the first year the WVU chapter was eligible for the Chapter of the Year award since its establishment in July 2012.

6. June 2014 Gregory A. Hand named founding dean

   Dr. Hand joins the School after serving as associate dean of research and practice at the University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health.

7. September 2014 School named Health Resources and Services Administration training site

   U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awards nearly $3.4 million over four years to create Region 3 Public Health Training Center.

8. December 2014 $2M awarded to improve healthcare model

   State Innovation Model Design award provides financial and technical support to coordinate healthcare transformation planning activities in West Virginia.

9. June 2015 WVU launches undergraduate degree in public health

   In 2015, the WVU Board of Governors approved our first undergraduate degree program, which was the next step in providing a resource for learning how to handle the public health challenges that West Virginia and the Appalachian region face.

10. July 2015 National accreditation approved

    Graduate programs accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health for a five-year term, extending through July 1, 2020.

11. August 2015 NIOSH renews funding of WVU occupational health and safety training

    

    WVU receives $2.2 million grant to continue to offer advanced training to physicians and engineering students, the only occupational medicine residency in the Appalachian region.

12. February 2016 Undergraduate program receives accreditation

    New Bachelor of Science in Public Health degree awarded full accreditation from the Council on Education for Public Health.

13. May 2017 Dr. Jeffrey Coben named dean

    

    After serving as interim dean since June, 2016 following the appointment of then-dean Dr. Gregory Hand to special assistant to the vice president for health sciences, Dr. Coben is named dean.

14. October 2017 WV Prevention Research Center receives continued funding from CDC

    

    Award allows for expanding efforts with an emphasis on adolescent social and emotional health while continuing to work closely with state and community partners to address health disparities in West Virginia.

15. June 2018 First Public Health Residency program in Appalachia established

    One of only 17 programs funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

16. October 2018 CDC grant helps southern West Virginia communities build healthy futures

    

    Rural health project collaboration with WVU Extension Service and College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences helps reduce obesity and other chronic diseases.

17. November 2019 WVU now offering master’s in health administration program

    

    In an effort to meet growing healthcare needs across the state, the West Virginia University School of Public Health is now offering a Master of Health Administration, a premier program for those seeking to lead the health systems of the future.

18. November 2019 Academic Health Department established to enhance public health training, research and service

    Formal agreement reinforcing WVU's long-standing relationship with the Monongalia County Health Department.

19. May 2020 West Virginia University announces AUPHA membership, joins community of health administration scholars

    As West Virginia University prepares to welcome the first graduate and undergraduate cohorts to two of its newest programs – Master of Health Administration and Health Services Leadership and Management, respectively – it is expanding its resources to enhance the student experience.

20. October 2020 CDC mask observation study collaboration

    Seven-week study estimates the percentage of people within the WVU community wearing masks correctly and aims to increase the proportion of people who use masks correctly.

21. December 2020 Reaccreditation approved through 2027

    One of 67 schools to receive national accreditation by the Council on Education for Public Health.

22. January 2021 Occupational Medicine Residency Program reaccredited

    One of 23 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited programs in the nation; only one of its kind in the Appalachian region.

23. May 2021 Master of Science in Industrial Hygiene program acquired

    Designed for students with an interest in occupational and environmental health and safety.

24. May 2021 Receives national Award for Engagement

    Recognized by the Association of University Programs in Health Administration for outstanding faculty engagement and leadership.

25. August 2021 Population Health program established

    One of only seven of its kind in the country being offered by a Council on Education for Public Health-accredited school.

26. August 2021 Undergraduate public health program approved by BOG for five more years

27. August 2021 Team earns $2.9 million to monitor wastewater statewide for COVID-19

    

    Monitoring wastewater gives researchers the opportunity to detect SARS-CoV-2 early before symptoms would appear in infected individuals.

28. November 2021 COVID-19 tracking efforts emphasize need for investment in public health

    Pandemic response highlights the need for public and private investments in research, training and infrastructure to ensure better delivery of health care and save lives in the future.

29. January 2022 Public Health and General Preventive Medicine Residency Program earns accreditation

    Approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, the residency program is the only one of its kind in Appalachia.

30. January 2022 New Lifestyle Medicine Clinic, curriculum address region’s critical needs

    

    Lifestyle Medicine addresses diseases and conditions such as type 2 diabetes, obesity and hypertension by replacing unhealthy behaviors with positive ones.

31. May 2022 First cohort of health services management and leadership program graduates

    Launched in 2020 to meet the increasing demand for leaders in healthcare, the program graduates five with a Bachelor of Science in Health Services Management and Leadership.

32. May 2022 First Master of Health Administration students graduate

    Eleven students make up the first cohort of WVU’s Master of Health Administration program.

33. October 2022 M.S. in Population Health becomes CAHME-certified

    WVU's M.S. in Population Health program becomes 1 of 5 founding programs certified by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education.

34. October 2022 A decade of distinction: School of Public Health celebrates 10th anniversary

    

    When the School of Public Health initially launched in 2012, it was the first new school to be created at WVU in more than 50 years. Since then, in addition to achieving many other 'firsts,' the School has more than doubled its academic program offerings and student enrollment, all while maintaining a steadfast focus on fulfilling its mission through innovative research, experiential learning and outreach.

Message from Dr. Jeffrey Coben, WVU School of Public Health Dean

Message from Dr. Clay Marsh, Chancellor & Executive Dean for WVU Health Sciences