Boozman College of Public Health Finds Funding Success

Three years ago, Dr. James M. Raczynski, dean of the UAMS College of Public Health, was looking for faculty who could tap outside funding to support the college.  

He struck gold.

When the building that houses the college opened in 2002, no grants supported its mission. But by the time the college was named for the late Dr. Fay W. Boozman in August, it had received more than $17 million in grants and contracts. Thanks to the additional money, the college already is leading many new health initiatives that will pay dividends for the state.

The remarkable growth in outside funding can be attributed to faculty with a strong record of winning research grants. “Our faculty members have values that are consistent with the college’s mission, and they are excited by this unique opportunity to improve the health of Arkansans,” Raczynski said. Today the college has more than $14 million from 40 active grants focusing largely on tobacco use and obesity, the two leading, preventable causes of death and disability. For example, a $2 million grant will be used to provide either face-to-face or telephone counseling to tobacco users at locations around the state.

The college exists because of the Arkansas voter-approved plan for spending the state’s share of the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement between 46 states and the tobacco industry. Arkansas receives $50 million to $60 million a year from the settlement. 

Construction of the 120,000-square-foot building was paid for primarily with $15 million from the settlement, and 5 percent of the tobacco money is set aside annually for the college’s maintenance and operation. Raczynski noted that significant outside funding is necessary to fulfill the college’s mission through its teaching, research and service programs. While the tobacco money was important for getting the college up and running, it wasn’t enough for the college to accomplish its mission, he said. 

Despite its youth, UAMS’ newest college also is among an elite group of 37 colleges of public health accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health.