School of Public Health to debut unique orientation ceremony Aug. 21

UAB’s School of Public Health will hold its inaugural “For the Public’s Health” ceremony for incoming master’s students Friday, Aug. 21.

school public healthThe University of Alabama at Birmingham’s School of Public Health will hold its inaugural “For the Public’s Health” ceremony for incoming master’s students on Friday, Aug. 21, at the UAB National Alumni Society House at 5 p.m.

At the event, each student will take a pledge to improve health and well-being. The ceremony is the first of its kind at a school of public health. Current students and alumni crafted a declaration that will be read aloud by the newcomers and then signed by each student. A community puzzle and a lapel pin have also been designed for the event.

“The students at this ceremony will leave with a much broader and clearer idea of what public health is and the sorts of multidisciplinary problems and solutions they’ll be confronted with as students,” said UAB School of Public Health Dean Max Michael, M.D. “Their classroom will become a shared experience with fellow students who come from a broad range of social and cultural backgrounds that will enrich, inform and guide their studies.”

Alabama Department of Public Health Chief Medical Officer Tom Miller, M.D., will be the keynote speaker. Miller received his M.D. and completed his residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of South Alabama in Mobile. He received a Master of Public Health degree from the UAB School of Public Health. Miller oversees the Bureaus of Family Health Services, Clinical Laboratories, Communicable Diseases, and Home and Community Services. 

This event is for new graduate students, faculty and alumni.Complimentary parking is available.