“I am very proud of this charter class of pioneers who braved a brand new program in order to further their education in Public Health,” said Dr. Robert A.J. Fernandez, DO, MPH, director of the Barry University Professional Master in Public Health (MPH) Degree Program.  The charter MPH class of 2005 has successfully completed their requirements for their MPH degree and participated in the May 7, 2005, graduation ceremony of Barry University in Miami Shores.

Six of the graduates are pursuing advanced graduate degrees including; three seeking Ph.D.’s in Public Health,  two will graduate next year from the Barry University Podiatric Medicine and Surgery Program as the first couple to receive the DPM/MPH Dual Degree, and one is pursuing a Physician Assistant degree. One of the graduates has already begun teaching science and health in the Miami-Dade County School system.

The Professional MPH Program has made steady progress since its inception in fall 2003. According to Dr. Fernandez,” the charter class experienced initial growing challenges but is now well prepared for their future endeavors in public health. In fact, the class of 2005 was instrumental in making program modifications which makes this one of the best programs in the country,” Fernandez added.

There is an anticipated shortage of public health workers and administrators foreseen for the near future because of a new resurgence of public health activities, including bio-terrorism preparedness at the federal, state, and municipal level, coupled with the fact that many current public health individuals will soon reach retirement age. Additionally, other health professionals are identifying the benefits of extended skills garnered with an MPH degree. These factors should keep a strong interest in the Professional MPH program at Barry University.