Bloomberg School of Public Health
Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
Thursday, May 15, 2008 | 3 p.m. | 931st Meeting

Members Absent: Drs. William Brody, Laura Caulfield, John Groopman, and Edward Miller.

Guests: Dr. Janet DiPietro; Prof. Stephen Teret; Mr. John Replogle and Ms. Diane Glover.

Meeting convened: Provost Kristina Johnson convened the meeting at 3 p.m.

Approval of the Minutes: Minutes of the 930th Advisory Board meeting of April 24, 2008 were approved as submitted.

Remarks by the Provost

Provost Johnson updated the Advisory Board on "Framework for the Future," the University's strategic planning process. As part of this initiative, a University-wide RFP has been announced to encourage interdivisional and interdisciplinary activities in focused areas of excellence to help solve large societal problems. The May 12, 2008 Gazette contains the application procedures; applications are due by July 1, 2008. [An information session designed to help faculty address the RFP application will be held on May 27 from 12:00 to 1:15 p.m. in Room 213 of Hodson Hall on the Homewood campus.]

Three strategic planning working groups on Discovery, People, and Ways and Means have convened and are now meeting. Dr. Johnson anticipates that the final draft of the Framework for the Future plan will be submitted to the University Board of Trustees in December, to help inform the new University president and the kick-off of the next fund-raising campaign.

Dr. Johnson reported that the "Mosaic Initiative" to increase faculty diversity at the University has received sixteen applications thus far, and expects to support 5-6 faulty in its first year. She will seek additional support to grow this critical initiative.

Remarks by the Dean

Dean Klag reported that he and Dr. Yager have been meeting with the faculty of each department, and separately with the students. Dean Klag and Mr. Hansen are also meeting with each department chairs to review budget projections for 2008-2009.

The Executive MPH/DrPH for the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi is moving forward, even as the School of Medicine is negotiating to start a branch of the Hopkins Medical School in Abu Dhabi. Dr. Klag reported that School of Public Health negotiations with Abu Dhabi to engage in public health-related research projects are continuing.

Dr. Klag commented on the "sludge" story that has taken so much time to respond to. He noted that the Associated Press has agreed that the original story was biased and will run a corrected story. In further updates, interim chairs of the Departments of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and Biostatistics will be designated while Dean Klag is talking to potential candidates for both positions.

Dr. Klag then thanked Dr. Brookmeyer for his superb leadership of the MPH program for the past six years; Dr. Brookmeyer will also be stepping down from the Advisory Board. Dr. Klag reminded the Advisory Board of a reception in Dr. Brookmeyer's honor on May 16.

Report of the Faculty Senate

Dr. Gange reported that the most recent Faculty Senate meeting included a presentation by Dr. Daniel Ford about the Clinical Translational Science Award (CTSA) at Hopkins. There is much interest by School of Public Health faculty in the CTSA. While some faculty from the Schools of Public Health and Nursing are already participating, it is important to communicate broadly with faculty from across the School as this large initiative evolves. Dr. Gange indicated there is a CTSA steering committee that can involve all academic departments in the School; it will be one critical channel to communicate with our faculty. Dr. Gange and the Faculty Senate encourage chairs, if they had not already done so, to name a departmental representative to the CTSA steering committee and have these representatives keep department faculty informed about the opportunities occurring with CTSA.

Also at the recent Senate meeting, Ms. McKeown reported on recent changes in the Office of Research Administration, and heard from the Faculty Senate members regarding any concerns.

Other Business

Revision of procedures for adjunct faculty appointments

Professor Teret reviewed the rationale for the proposed change in the criteria and procedures for appointment of adjunct faculty; the revision proposes that a candidate for an adjunct appointment in the School who holds a primary academic appointment at another academic institution will be appointed at the rank the candidate holds in his or her home institution. However, the Committee on Appointments and Promotions is not bound by that rank if the candidate is later recommended to the School for a full-time professorial appointment. The Advisory Board voted to approve the change.

Executive MPH/DrPH program in Abu Dhabi — Dr. Morlock

Dr. Morlock provided a brief history of the School's relationship with Taiwan, where several cohorts of students have completed or are presently working toward advanced degrees from the School. The three masters' programs and one doctoral program have been tailored to the needs of the changing health infrastructure in Taiwan, training a generation of Taiwanese health system leaders and managers. The programs have had a substantial impact on improving the health of the population of Taiwan. The Health Authority of Abu Dhabi realized this was a good model and approached the School to develop capacity to train leaders in quantitative, management, and evaluation sciences in preparation for a substantial transition in the health care system of Abu Dhabi.

Dr. Morlock indicated that one of the long term goals of this Executive MPH/DrPH program is to transfer knowledge to the Health Authority by facilitating the training of not only health professionals but also faculty members and teachers so that eventually Abu Dhabi will be able to train its own experts. Both the MPH and DrPH programs have the same requirements as the Baltimore-based and internet-based equivalent programs, however the Abu Dhabi programs will be customized for the Middle East region based on health needs, disease burden and health care models. Several in-country experts will be identified who can participate in instruction and advising and mentoring of students.

Approximately twenty students will enter the program in one cohort. They will travel to Baltimore twice per year for a week for courses; other courses will be offered in Abu Dhabi and via the internet. Dr. Morlock reviewed the schedule the students are expected to follow, although some students may elect to spend more time in Baltimore taking courses or preparing their dissertations. She noted that the internet-based courses that will be developed for this program will also support the infrastructure for Distance Education activities across the School. Admissions will be handled by the appropriate standing committees in the MPH and DrPH programs, and the program will be governed in the same manner as existing academic programs (e.g., MPH Executive Board.)

Provost Johnson indicated that videoconference and other tele-presence technologies may further expand the program's ability to communicate with students in distant areas. Dr. Morlock will follow-up with Ms. Reel to assess the applicability of these technologies to the Abu Dhabi MPH/DrPH. Dr. Louis suggested a formal evaluation of the program after the first three years, in addition to ongoing assessment. Dr. Eaton noted that a seven-year time frame for the program seems long. Dr. Morlock responded that some students may finish earlier, but that the program is rigorous and requires a substantial commitment of both the candidate and his/her employer. She further indicated that some students may not complete one or both degrees due to a variety of factors. Dr. Zeger suggested using this program as a platform for enhanced on-line capabilities and for developing new programs that would serve other populations.

Dr. Klag then reviewed a comprehensive list of off-site programs and locations the School is involved in, including the pending development of a Pacific Rim MPH. He remarked on his initial concern about a potential burden on faculty to travel to remote locations, but also indicated that faculty have expressed great enthusiasm for off-site teaching activities. Dr. Morlock commented on the increased enthusiasm of faculty to develop on-line courses at the doctoral level. Dr. McKenzie suggested that areas beyond health management and leadership should be explored for cohort-based distance programs. Dr. Yager commented on the critical need for faculty overseeing off-site programs to communicate well in advance with all course instructors to assure that adequate resources are made available to the instructors, or that alternate sections are developed.

It is not yet clear if other part-time MPH students will be able to take courses in Abu Dhabi, however the Advisory Board agreed that full-and part-time students should mix in courses to the extent practical. After further discussion, Provost Johnson and Dean Klag thanked Dr. Morlock for her informational presentation.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Robin Fox

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Last updated 01Jul08 by dgips@jhu.edu