Why a School of Public Health at WashU?

Now is the time for public health leadership. And leadership is the business of a great university like WashU.

Sandro Galea, MD, DrPH
Margaret C. Ryan Dean of the School of Public Health,
Eugene S. and Constance Kahn Distinguished Professor of Public Health,
Vice Provost for Interdisciplinary Initiatives

Our inaugural dean

Sandro Galea, MD, DrPH, is WashU School of Public Health’s inaugural dean. A physician, epidemiologist, educator and writer, he most recently served for a decade as dean of Boston University’s School of Public Health.

Learn more about his life, his career and his journey to WashU.

Our mission

To ensure all can live longer, healthier lives.

Our vision

To promote health through excellence in interdisciplinary population health science and scholarship, distinction in educational programs, and a deep commitment to local and global impact.

Our values

The School of Public Health is committed to excellence, hard work, compassion, and integrity. We aspire to an optimistic, inclusive community — of faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends of the school — that is pragmatically focused on advancing our shared mission.

Origin story

The School of Public Health grew out of WashU’s transformative “Here and Next” strategic plan. See here to read about the plan, the initiatives and the steps that led to the university’s first new school in a century.

And see below to further explore why WashU is the ideal setting for bringing together and training top minds in public health.