Bloom and Ware Tout Strides in Improving Global Health

For the fifth State of the School Address to the HSPH community, deans Barry Bloom and James Ware reviewed the School’s accomplishments, financial status, and initiatives to a standing-room-only crowd on Oct. 12.

Photo by Suzanne Camarata

“This place works because people interact with each other. They help each other, and they share knowledge and information and experiences,” said Bloom (above), dean of the Faculty of Public Health.

Strategic and Education Initiatives
Bloom highlighted several of the School’s strategic initiatives. Improving global health remains a compelling priority in the School’s work, as exemplified by projects in China, India, the Mediterranean region, and Africa. A group of 28 leaders from China’s central and provincial ministries of health visited HSPH in August for three weeks of training as part of a larger effort that involves the School, Tsinghua University in Beijing, and the Chinese Ministry of Health. The School will participate in a public–private partnership called the Public Health Foundation of India, which aims to establish new schools of public health throughout the second-most–populous country in the world. The School’s work in sub-Saharan Africa through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief grant has provided access to antiretroviral therapy for 24,000 people so far.

Research Update
Observing that there were many examples of noteworthy research from which to choose, Bloom reviewed several research projects and related accomplishments at the School this past year. In September, Atul Gawande became the fourth HSPH faculty member to win a MacArthur “genius” award. Laurie Glimcher led the work that identified a key protein in mice that regulates genes controlling bone formation, a discovery that has profound implications for diseases such as osteoporosis. David Studdert and Michelle Mello produced a study that suggested, contrary to popular belief, that frivolous medical malpractice litigation is not rampant.

Financial Picture
Ware (below), dean for academic affairs, reviewed the School’s fiscal health. For the 21st consecutive year, the School finished the year in the black. HSPH received $15 million in new philanthropic gifts this past year, up 55 percent from last fiscal year. That funding includes gifts from Penny Pritzker and Bryan Traubert for childhood nutrition; Steve Kay, for an endowed chair; and Barrie Damson, for a trust.

Both Ware and Bloom noted that the School continues to seek funding for increased financial aid for students.

Management Changes
Bloom observed that HSPH has grown significantly in size and complexity in the past 10 years, while the external environment has become more demanding. For example, NIH procedures have become more challenging, regulatory demands more complex, and global work has expanded. To aid the School in addressing these themes, a new chief financial officer—Laura Tobin-Ketchum—has been recruited and seeks to improve the financial systems.

Staff Survey
Harvard has released initial findings from a staff survey conducted last March. Ware noted that the responses of the HSPH community fell just within the “Best Employer Range” with an engagement score of 61 percent and that the School can do much better. The “best employers” list is amassed by Hewitt Associates—the company that conducted the survey.

Among the themes revealed by the survey were concerns about institutional leadership, the linkage between performance and salary, and career development. Ware explained that HSPH will be engaging the community through focus groups to develop strategies for addressing the issues raised in the survey.

Said Ware in his closing remarks, “The School has ended the year stronger financially. We’ve renewed ourselves in important leadership positions, expanded our capacity in critical ways, and I believe we are poised now to take on new challenges.’

—Christina Roache

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