The public health school would serve a number of very, very important needs, including a program to help replace health care workers nearing retirement, advances in medical research, and a system to address specific problems in the Milwaukee community.” –Tom Luljak, UWM Vice Chancellor for University Relations

Joseph J. Zilber announced Sept. 10 that he will donate $10 million in support of a University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee accredited School of Public Health.

Zilber’s contribution, which matches Sheldon B. Lubar’s as the largest donation in UWM history, is part of a recently announced $50 million New Potential for Milwaukee Initiative.

The University of Wisconsin Board of Regents endorsed the creation of a UWM School of Public Health in December 2006. The School of Public Health Planning Council is currently in design and planning stages of the new school, and is expected to present specific plans to the UW Board of Regents by spring 2008.

“The public health school would serve a number of very, very important needs, including a program to help replace health care workers nearing retirement, advances in medical research, and a system to address specific problems in the Milwaukee community,” said Tom Luljak, vice chancellor for university relations.

Although a specific location for the school has not been decided upon yet, Zilber has requested that it be built downtown, according to Luljak.

“The plan is to build it downtown, but no final decision has been made,” he said. “A downtown location would allow us to more easily collaborate with experts in the field.”

An executive summary of a 2005 Public Health Planning Team and Steering Committee report outlines the need for more health care resources in the Milwaukee area.

For example, 36 schools of public health and 14 public health training centers exist in the United States, yet Wisconsin has none. Also, more than half of current Wisconsin public health employees are over the age of 50, implying a need for new and young public health workers.

It is expected to take approximately eight years to establish an accredited School of Public Health at UWM.

In addition to the health care needs in the state of Wisconsin, the report states that UWM is an ideal location for a school of public health. Key notes explain that UWM has a considerable amount of expertise in the research, education, and service areas of public health.

“We are a research university,” said Luljak. “We think we can make serious progress.”

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