The Drexel School of Public Health honored newly-enrolled students at its annual Welcoming Ceremony and reception on Wednesday, October 21, 2009, in the historic rooms of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia.
First-Year students, with Ceremony Speaker Robert Sharrar, MD and Dean Marla J. Gold, MD
Members of the Full-Time MPH, Executive MPH, DrPH, PhD and MS-Biostatistics programs received pins embossed with the seal of the Drexel School of Public Health, and recited the school pledge, which references both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Charter of the World Health Organization.
The welcome and pinning ceremony was first established by Dr. Jonathan Mann, the founding dean of the School of Public Health and renowned human rights leader.
The keynote address was given by Robert Sharrar, MD, Executive Director, Safety, Epidemiology and Risk Management, United BioSource Corporation. Dr. Sharrar worked for Merck & Co., Inc. as the Executive Director of Clinical Risk Management & Safety Surveillance. In that capacity he was primarily responsible for monitoring the safety profile of products. In addition, Dr. Sharrar spent 17 years at the Philadelphia Department of Public Health in various capacities including serving as Director of the Division of Disease Control and as Assistant Health Commissioner. Dr. Sharrar has a medical degree and a master of science degree in epidemiology from the University of Pennsylvania. He did his internal medicine residency and infectious disease fellowship at the University of Colorado and is board certified in internal medicine and infectious diseases. In addition to this training, he also spent three years as an Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer in the Epidemiology Program at the Centers for Disease Control.
The evening also featured remarks from Dean Marla J. Gold, MD, and the school's associate dean for academic affairs, Dr. Mary Hovinga. The student council members also led the new students in reciting the pledge.
In his remarks to the new students, Dr. Sharrar said, "I would like to welcome you all to the noble practice of public health. I wish you well in your endeavor. My advice to you is to study hard to learn how to analyze vital statistics to determine what the true public health issues are. Develop and evaluate your public health programs on sound scientific principles. Be outspoken about your concerns. Work with the private medical community, the academic community, and community groups to formulate public health policies, and work to assure that all members of the community have access to these programs.
If you do all of these things, you will accomplish great goals, you will improve the communities in which you live, and you will lead a fascinating and rewarding life."
Dr. Robert Sharrar, MD, delivers main address
Student Government Officers lead recital of the SPH Pledge
