Ontario announces funding for planning new School of Public Health

Ontario’s Minister of Health and Long-Tern Care has announced $200,000 in funding to help Queen’s plan for a new School of Public Health in the interest of advancing educational opportunities for public health professionals.

“This grant will help us pioneer a graduate school of public health in Ontario,” said Dr. David Walker, Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences. “We want to create a program that will foster considerable academic and research prospects for students and faculty.”

The planned school is intended to provide programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels in public health and related disciplines. It will also support community public health organizations and link with provincial, federal and international public health agencies and non-government organizations.

“We are committed to renewing Ontario’s public health system,” said Minister George Smitherman. “This planning grant is a great first step to increase graduate student programs in public health and strengthen our delivery of public health services throughout Ontario.”

The new School of Public Health will focus on public health research, education, training and practice. In Canada, most public health teaching is carried out by departments within faculties of medicine or nursing.

“Queen’s is grateful for the government’s support on this important initiative,” said Karen R. Hitchcock, Principal and Vice-Chancellor. “This will allow us to move forward with enhancing our research, education and public service programs in public health.”

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Communications Assistant Molly Kehoe, 613.533.2877, molly.kehoe@queensu.ca, or Communications Coordinator Lorinda Peterson, 613.533.3234, lorinda.peterson@queensu.ca, Queen’s Communications and Public Affairs.