Philanthropy

Devra and Lester Breslow visit with Kristin Nichol, Breslow Scholar 1988-1989. Dr. Nichol serves as chief of medicine for the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center and is a professor of medicine at the University.

Lester Breslow Returns to the  School of Public Health

Since 1988, the School of Public Health has awarded 41 Lester Breslow Scholarships to public health students demonstrating excellence in health promotion and disease prevention. Recently, 12 past recipients gathered to show their appreciation and meet the donors who endowed the scholarship: Lester and Devra Breslow.

Lester Breslow, M.D., M.P.H., is a remarkable alumnus of the School of Public Health, with more than 65 years of accomplishments in the field of public health. He did   pioneering work in chronic disease epidemiology and forged the initial link between health behaviors and quality of life.  After earning three degrees at the University and holding many roles in the field of public health, Dr. Breslow served as dean of the UCLA School of Public Health for eight years.

During the celebratory luncheon, the Breslow Scholars took turns describing their work in public health. Breslow commented that he was thrilled to see such a breadth of experience and was impressed by the excellence exhibited by these scholars, three of whom are current SPH faculty members.

Former colleagues and friends also attended to honor Dr. Breslow's distinguished career. The School of Public Health salutes Dr. Breslow's accomplishments and the generosity that he and Devra have shown to the institution and its students.

Donors Frederick and Mary Rose Goetz with recipients of the Cecilia Goetz Memorial Scholarship in Public Health. From left are Elizabeth Scherman, Jose Suarez, and Azza Zarroug.

2006 Scholarship Reception  Honors Donors and Students

The School of Public Health held its annual Scholarship Reception recently. The event honors student scholarship and award recipients for their achievements and thanks donors for their generosity.

The school is fortunate to receive these gifts from friends, alumni, and past and present faculty members. Donors who attend the reception have an opportunity to meet the recipients of their scholarships.

Stories of accomplishment and challenge emanated from every table at the reception. One such table featured three recipients of the Cecilia Goetz Memorial Scholarship in Public Health, established in 1998 by Frederick and Mary Rose Goetz and awarded to students pursuing international public health, focusing on maternal and child health issues. 

Students receiving this scholarship will be conducting international field experiences this summer in Damascus, Syria; Asamankese, Ghana; and Geneva, Switzerland, working directly with organizations such as the World Health Organization and SOS Children's Villages.

Support for scholarships continues to grow, as SPH donors endowed six new scholarships during the last year, and all of the new endowed scholarships have their awards matched by University scholarship matching programs. Donor-endowed scholarships allow the school to attract and support top students in public health.

For more information about endowed scholarship opportunities, please call Adam Buhr at (612)626-2391.