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On my last day as your dean, I want to say thank you to every member of the Bloomberg School community. Working beside you has been an honor and a constant source of inspiration, from the most difficult days to the most joyful.  

When I became dean, I knew from the beginning that I wanted to leverage the breadth and depth of the Bloomberg School to tackle the most pressing public health issues, and that this would require strategic and deeply collaborative thinking. We soon embarked on the creation of a five-year strategic plan.

New name reflects the Center’s current work and new priorities.

In the two weeks since I wrote about the terrible events in the Middle East, I have heard from many in our community. While, it will come as no surprise that there are a variety of views on current events and on the long-standing conflict expressed by students, staff, and faculty, there are common themes.

I am writing today with two pieces of news—the first of which is bittersweet. Our wonderful colleague Jose G. “Oying” Rimon II has decided to retire from the faculty after a distinguished career in public health that has spanned more than 40 years. This includes ten years of visionary leadership at the Bill & Melinda Gates Institute for Population and Reproductive Health. 

Second, I am excited to share that the Institute has been renamed the William H. Gates Sr. Institute for Population and Reproductive Health

Like many in our community and around the world, I am devastated by this week’s events in the Middle East. In reflecting on the weight of these events, I have drawn strength from the work here at the School.

This month marks the 20th anniversary of Meatless Monday—the revolutionary public health campaign that continues to grow in influence, relevance, and importance. As we reflect on its extraordinary evolution, we are reminded of the mounting reasons that meat reduction must be front and center on our public health agendas.