Since 1979, the Sparkman Center for Global Health (SCGH) has established itself as a pillar in global health by collaborating with institutions abroad and supporting graduate-level educational programs, training in public health, and global health research. The Sparkman Center’s collaborations abroad have included Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, in Lima Peru, Chiang Mai University in Thailand, University of West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica, Universidad del Valle in Colombia and the International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDRB).

In 2007 the SCGH expanded its global vision by providing educational programs within the UAB university and health systems and the Birmingham area. The program expansion in 2007 was designed to foster the “Glocal” approach (“think global, act local”). The establishment of strategic partnerships with international and domestic academic institutions, government agencies, non-governmental organizations; and the inclusion of continuing educational programs and strengthening of global health research and evaluation capacity are essential to respond to global health challenges such as infant and maternal mortality, infectious diseases, violence against women and the growing burden of chronic diseases.

As the Director of the SCGH, my top priorities include promoting meaningful and lasting engagement of the UAB community in promoting global health and development. I believe we can make an impact by working collaboratively with people around the globe; and utilizing the knowledge, skills, and creativity of our faculty, students, and staff. I want to promote use of innovative and rigorous research and evaluation methodologies to assure we are selecting and using the strategies that will have the greatest impact on major global health challenges.

I am excited about being given the opportunity to connect diverse people and resources for global health at UAB. I see a lot of passion and excitement around global health in the student body and I am excited about what this means for the future. We would appreciate your feedback and questions. Do not hesitate to contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Janet M. Turan, PhD, MPH
Director, UAB Sparkman Center for Global Health
Professor, Department of Health Care Organization and Policy, UAB School of Public Health
Co-director, Behavioral and Community Sciences Core, UAB Center for AIDS Research (CFAR)