About the School

The Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health includes the shared missions of 1) meeting the public health workforce needs for the future and 2) demonstrating how public health approaches can address the health needs of Arkansans via model community programs. Pilot sites for teaching and learning also serve as innovative laboratories for new and creative approaches to old problems. Students learn, with the expert aid of local citizens, schools, hospitals, and faith groups about community-based health improvement. 

As with other UAMS colleges, the standards of teaching and learning are high and the resources for academic and social life are excellent. College faculty members are engaged in cutting-edge health research in numerous areas of societal concerns and students are welcome as members of most investigative teams.

The Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health is the only CEPH (Council on Education for Public Health) accredited school/program in Arkansas. The council establishes, monitors, and periodically revises the criteria by which it evaluates graduate public health schools and programs. CEPH's accreditation procedures requires that the school undertake a self-evaluation, submit a self study document, and host a team of qualified peered reviewers who validate the self study during an on-site visit to the campus. On July 27, 2007, the national Council on Education for Public Health reaccredited the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health for seven years. For a copy of the self-study report you may access the following link XXXXXX.

Mission

The mission of the Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health  is to improve health and promote well-being of individuals, families, and communities in Arkansas through education, research, and service.

Program Summary

The Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health  has elected to address its mandate to improve the health of Arkansas by adopting a community-based health education model. Our long-term vision is of "optimal health for all Arkansans." By joining forces with pilot communities, the College establishes a model process for statewide health improvement. COPH students, faculty and staff participate in close partnership with local organizations, citizens and public officials. In-service teaching and learning opportunities for COPH students will be concentrated in these pilot communities to the benefit of all involved.

Core Values

Our Philosophy

We believe that, at its core, public health is about social justice - what's best for all of us, not just a few.

Matters of Health

We define "health" broadly, to include all those things which allow individuals, families, and communities to become healthier.

Our Relationships with Other Health and Healing Professions

The family of public health includes members of the health "care" and clinical disciplines, as well as those in the social and physical sciences that advance the state of human capacity and well-being. We also embrace disciplines as diverse as law, engineering and business administration.

Basic Functions of Public Health

We agree that there are three core "functions" in public health: 1) assessment or surveillance of the issues that pertain to a healthy condition, 2) Policy development, to adjust and correct the system whereby health improvement can be realized, and 3) assurance that all people have access to needed programs and services.

The 'Prevention' Specialty

Because of the high costs of disability and illness, both personal and economic, public health adheres to a strong 'prevention' mind-set that emphasizes the great values of avoidance of debilitative conditions and their sequellae.

Community

We ascribe to the 1996 statement of the National Policy Task Force, Community-based Public Health:

"...community lies at the heart of public health...interventions work best when they are rooted in values, knowledge, expertise, and interests of the community itself...health encompasses the physical, mental, spiritual, environmental and economic well-being of a community and its members.

"We recognize the power of equal partnerships, including community-based organizations, academic institutions, and health agencies addressing health issues of the community.

"We understand that in order for these partnerships to be equal and for interventions to be community-based, community members must participate fully in the identification of health issues and the selection, design, implementation and evaluation of programs that address them."

Nurturing our students

We provide a collegial and stimulating environment for didactic and practical learning experiences that foster individual and professional development.

Fostering excellence in teaching, research and the practice of public health

We emphasize scholarship sustained by a learning environment that encourages interaction, mentoring and lifelong learning.

Fostering a progressive attitude

We are adaptable, creative, and open to innovative approaches in teaching, research, and the practice of public health.

Establishing and maintaining a collegial atmosphere

The faculty, staff and students are compassionate, supportive, and devoted to furthering the goals and mission of the Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health.

Promoting high ethical standards

The faculty, staff and students value personal and professional integrity. Our daily activities are based on this responsibility and reflect a commitment to these core values.