UC Davis adds public health master's degree

Sacramento, Calif.-

The University of California, Davis, schools of medicine and veterinary medicine are jointly offering a master's degree program in public health in the wake of the events of Sept. 11.

"Recent terrorist events have certainly raised awareness of the need for a strong public health system," says Dr. Marc Schenker, UC Davis School of Medicine professor and chair of the Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine.

He adds it became "painfully apparent" recently that shortages in qualified individuals are shortchanging the public health system's ability to manage spread of infectious disease.

Veterinarians are significant contributors to public health, especially in food safety research, control of infectious diseases and prevention of foreign animal diseases, says Dr. Bennie I. Osburn, dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine.

"The unique perspective of veterinary faculty will raise the awareness of other health professionals regarding animal-related health and environmental matters," he says.

The degree program commences with the Fall 2002 term.

In other news, a $1 billion economic stimulus package approved by Gov. Gray Davis will include $66.1 million to fully fund and push forward completion of a $77 million facility for the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.

The building is integral to a $354 million long-term plan for the veterinary school, which is designed to regain full accreditation status. UC Davis' School of Veterinary Medicine is the largest U.S. veterinary institution and California's only public veterinary school.