Message from the Dean

A Message from Kelly Gebo, Michael and Lori Milken Dean

Welcome to the Milken Institute School of Public Health. What drew me here—and what continues to inspire me every day—is the strength of this community. For over 25 years, faculty, staff, students, and alumni have built a school defined by excellence, collaboration, and a deep commitment to advancing health and equity. It is an honor to serve as dean of such a remarkable institution, and as the proud parent of a Milken Institute SPH alumni, I feel a special connection to the school’s mission and impact.

Never in our lifetimes has advancing public health been more critical. I believe strongly that public health professionals are uniquely equipped to confront the challenges facing our world today with courage, intellect, and action.

The Milken Institute School of Public Health is preparing leaders to do just that. We have the largest network of practice partners among any school of public health, encompassing NGOs, corporations, and government agencies. Our students gain hands-on experience that deepens their education and expands their impact. Our students arrive with passion and purpose, and they leave as leaders who carry our mission into communities across the world. Our staff sustain and strengthen our work every day, and our alumni—now more than 16,000 strong—are shaping healthier futures on a global scale.

What makes the Milken Institute School of Public Health distinctive is the unique combination of our location, mission, and people. In the heart of Washington, D.C., our students are steps away from policymakers, international organizations, and public health leaders—offering opportunities to connect classroom learning with hands-on practice. Our faculty are accomplished scholars as well as trusted advisors and practitioners. They are actively leading public health in the real world by running global institutions, guiding government policy, partnering with NGOs, and bringing frontline experiences directly into their teaching and research. And our community is united by shared values of fairness, respect for all perspectives, and creating opportunities for everyone to succeed.

Looking ahead, I am committed to engaging with all of you, listening, learning, sharing, and refining our vision together. Through this engagement, we will move forward as a strong, resilient community, united in our mission to prepare the next generation of public health leaders.

I am excited about our shared future and proud to be on this journey with you. Together, we will continue to rise and to lead with purpose, passion, and impact.

With gratitude and excitement,

Kelly A. Gebo
Michael and Lori Milken Dean, Milken Institute School of Public Health