Spring 2008 Table of Contents

Letters

Dear Dean Finnegan:

I wanted to let you know that I am very proud and impressed with the recent accomplishments of the School of Public Health as listed in the Spring, 2008 edition of Advances. I am a 1991 graduate of the Masters in Healthcare Administration Program (it was in SPH at the time, and I am happy to see that it is once again). As an administrator at Fairview Health Services, my commitment is to review evidence and accelerate practice that demonstrates appropriate and reasonable benefit for the patients that we serve. So, I really appreciate seeing that the SPH is #1 in the ranking of grant funds per faculty member of all US schools of public health.

While I believe that academia has a responsibility to create knowledge, and there is inherent benefit in that, your publication went on to help graduates like me understand how that knowledge and information is literally used to change lives and create “impact,” as you state. I have always been proud to be a SPH graduate, and I can say that I can speak more confidently about the impact that the school is making in Minnesota and around the world. Congratulations on ranking¿keep up the great work.

With warmest regards,

Chris Meyers Janda (’91)
Vice President, Fairview Health Services.