School of Public Health

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is in the early stages of establishing an accredited School of Public Health, the first in the State of Wisconsin. The MFBS Center Director and COEP Director were leaders in working toward the realization of a School of Public Health at UW-Milwaukee. In Fall, 2005, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel made this one of its editorial positions and supported its first editorial on this issue with a major story about the Center's environmental justice program with the United Community Center on childhood obesity. As a result of public response, particularly from the Mayor of Milwaukee, Tom Barrett, the UW-System Board of Regents agreed in late 2005 that a School of Public Health might be sited at UW-Milwaukee in the future. Dr. Petering was named to a Planning Committee to study opportunities in public health for the Milwaukee region authorized by the UW-System, UW-Milwaukee, and the City of Milwaukee. Its report in October 2006 urged the expeditious formation of the School with environmental health as a central strength. This recommendation came from a panel of external consultants for the process who were convened to analyze the assets already in place for a new School. At its December, 2006 meeting, the UW-System Board of Regents agreed with the Planning Committee report, Planning for an Accredited School of Public Health at UW-Milwaukee, and directed the University to constitute the programs that are needed for an accredited School. A doctoral program in environmental health with the Center as a central asset is envisioned for early development.

The MFBS Center Director and COEP Director have been leaders in working toward the realization of a School of Public Health at UW-Milwaukee. In Fall, 2005, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel made the formation of a new school of public health one of its editorial positions and supported its first editorial on this issue with a major story about the Center's environmental justice program with the United Community Center on childhood obesity.