Student News

Vice Admiral Richard H. Carmona

Surgeon General to Graduates: The World Needs You

Vice Admiral Richard Carmona, the 17th Surgeon General of the United States, says we as a country have mastered acute care, but haven't begun to embrace prevention, wellness and public health in a way that will allow us to deal with the disease and economic burden facing us.

Delivering the keynote address before a near-capacity crowd at the 2006 School of Public Health Commencement Ceremony at the Ted Mann Concert Hall, Carmona said, “The current path we're on is an unsustainable one. Prevention is the only answer.” He said he began to consider a career in public health because as a trauma surgeon, nearly every case he saw was in some way preventable.

Carmona told the 162 graduates that the currency needed for changing the world is health diplomacy. “The world needs you today more than ever,” Carmona told the graduates.  “You have the currency to change the world. You can export health for peace and stability.” 

Carmona traveled an unlikely route to the role of Surgeon General. He grew up in Harlem, was homeless for parts of his childhood, dropped out of high school, and “ran the streets” as a teenager. While he went on to a decorated military career, graduated at the top of his class in medical school and later earned a master's in public health, Carmona says his childhood experiences shaped his role as Surgeon General more than any academic credential.

Later, Carmona spoke about the importance of viewing health from a worldwide perspective. “Global health is public health,” he said, offering a preview of a soon-to-be-released Surgeon General's report on global health.

Listen to Surgeon General Carmona's commencement address at www.sph.umn.edu; click on “School of Public Health Podcasts.”

Kirby Puckett's Generosity Lives on at the SPH

The late baseball great Kirby Puckett not only left his mark on the pages of sports history, he made an unforgettable impression on two SPH students.  

Susan Nwoke and Sara Hollie are recipients of a scholarship established at the University of Minnesota by the Hall of Famer. The Puckett Scholars Program provides educational opportunity to minority students, offering freshmen $4,000 a year for up to five years and an annual merit award of up to $2,000 for maintaining a high GPA.

After earning their bachelor's degrees with financial assistance from the former Minnesota Twin, both women pursued MPH degrees at the SPH.  

“As an undergraduate, the scholarship alleviated my financial concerns so I could focus on my studies,” says Nwoke. “It put graduate school within reach.”

Puckett's gift not only provoked deep gratitude, his influence helped the women succeed. “The scholarship gave me the confidence to be where I am today,” says Hollie. She graduated from the SPH in May. “He pushed us to be better people both in school and in our communities.”

The Puckett Scholars Program has helped 45 students attend the University of Minnesota. The baseball legend's gift will continue to grant opportunity to promising young students.

“Kirby always said you can fulfill your dreams if you work hard enough and believe in yourself. I live by this everyday,” says Hollie.

Kirby Puckett died at age 45 in March after suffering a massive stroke.