Dear Alumni and Faculty of the Loma Linda University School of Public Health,
As we tackle this new year, I am filled with a sense of pride and excitement as we celebrate a significant milestone in our school’s history. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Loma Linda University’s School of Public Health (LLU SPH), and I am honored to share this moment with all who have been part of the school’s journey.
On September 1, 1964, our school was established as the third public health school in California. This milestone was the capstone of years of dedication and visionary thinking, dating back to our roots as the School of Tropical and Preventive Medicine in 1948. As we reflect on our six decades of excellence, it's inspiring to see how far we have come and the impact we have made in the field of public health.
Our journey has been one of constant change as we adapt to the needs of our global community. From our early focus on tropical medicine to our current comprehensive approach to public health education, we have consistently strived to be at the forefront of our field.
As we celebrate this 60th anniversary, we honor the legacy of those who came before us - visionaries like Dr. Bruce Halstead and Dr. Harold Mozar, whose proposal in the mid-1940s laid the foundation for what would become our esteemed institution. We also recognize the dedication of countless faculty, staff, and students who have contributed to our growth and success over the years.
Looking ahead, we remain committed to our mission of advancing health and wellness for all communities through education, research, and service. Our rich history serves as a springboard for future innovations and discoveries that will continue to shape the field of public health.
I invite all of you - alumni, faculty, and friends - to join us in celebrating this historic occasion throughout the year. We will have multiple events that commemorate our school and all of your contributions and continued support.
Here's to 60 years of excellence in public health education, and to many more years of making a difference in the health and well-being of local and global communities around the world.
Adam Aréchiga, DrPH, PsyD
Dean, Loma Linda University School of Public Health
