The Graduate Programs at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Department of Public Health Sciences (DPHS) are at the forefront of public health science with an emphasis on education, research, and evidence-based public health service, said Heather Rose, M.P.H., Senior Director of Accreditation and Doctoral Administration.

As per their mission, accreditation by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) ensures quality in public health education and training to achieve excellence in practice, research, and service, through collaboration with organizational and community partners. Having maintained public health accreditation since the M.P.H. program was first established in 1982, demonstrates our commitment to bring about sustainable, positive changes in health by providing an outstanding program of research, teaching, and service. “The CEPH accreditation process is an extremely rigorous one and the award of a seven-year reaccreditation is a reflection of the high-quality public health programs offered by DPHS,” expressed David Lee, Ph.D., Professor, Department Chair and Graduate Programs Director.

The self-study process required by CEPH to gain reaccreditation provided an opportunity to reflect on the accomplishments and areas for improvement across the Graduate Programs, expressed Rose. The self-study provided to CEPH included a 282-page written report and more than 700 electronic files of supporting documentation. CEPH conducted a virtual two-day site visit in October 2021 with the Graduate Programs in Public Health, including meetings with faculty, staff, community partners, current students, program alumni and University leadership. Moreover, a follow-up in-person, on-campus visit was conducted with a representative from CEPH in April 2022. 

The size and scope of the Graduate Programs in Public Health has increased significantly since the last CEPH accreditation in 2013-2014. Degree programs have expanded to include 15 degree programs, 6 joint degrees, and 2 certificate programs, compared to 10 degree programs and 1 certificate in 2013.

Members of the Accreditation Workgroup:

• Heather Rose, MPH—Senior Director, Accreditation and Doctoral Administration 
• David J. Lee, PhD—Professor, Department Chair and Graduate Programs Director 
• Margarita Jimenez, MA, CRA—Senior Administrative Officer, DPHS, Strategic Planning, Finance and Operations 
• Viviana Horigian, MD, MHA—Professor, Director, Public Health Education 
• Tatiana Perrino, PsyD—Professor, Chair, Curriculum Committee 
• Begoña Rovira, MBA, MA—Executive Director, Maters Programs in Public Health 
• Rosa Verdeja, Med—Director of Academic Affairs, Masters Programs in Public Health 
• Vanessa Morales—Student Representative/Graduate Student Assistant 

Written by Deycha Torres Hernández

Published on June 22, 2022