After a decade of preparation, the UW Medical School is poised to become the UW School of Medicine and Public Health. Despite the concerns of UW-Milwaukee officials and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, the change in name-deserved recognition of a school-wide effort to incorporate more public health initiatives-is important for all of Wisconsin.
Barrett's claim that the name change may hinder future prospects for a public health school in Milwaukee is certainly valid. Yet, unlike UWM, UW Medical School has the money, facilities and faculty to support such a program. New to the school are a doctoral degree in population health sciences, a master's degree in public health and 100 new public health-oriented faculty positions.
While Milwaukee certainly has a less-than-stellar public health record, we must not forget that UW Medical School is a state-wide institution. Not only do Madison graduate students work in partnership with UWM and Milwaukee public health providers, but also throughout the state-particularly in rural counties where health disparities are also common.
