April 2024 Dean’s Note 

Creating a Solid Foundation With Our New Mission and Core Values  

Dear ColoradoSPH Community, 

Last month, I unveiled the new vision statement for the Colorado School of Public Health--Public Health Elevated: Rising Together for a Healthier Future for All.  This statement encapsulates our identity as a community: a collective of dedicated individuals who are truly “leveling up” the science of and evidence base for public health and working in partnership with our diverse constituents locally in the Rocky Mountain region and globally.

Dr. Cathy Bradley | April 29, 2024

When I interviewed for the position of dean of the Colorado School of Public Health, many of you said “we don’t know who we are as a school; we haven’t yet declared our identity.” It is completely understandable why the faculty, staff, and students may feel this way. Our school was started only 15 years ago, and few teenagers know what they are going to be. However, now is the time to define it. Strategic planning is common for a new leader, but few leaders get the opportunity to work with an organization to redefine its vision, mission, and core values for the foreseeable future. In this Dean’s note, I focus on our new Vision statement and the process the school used to develop it.

Dr. Cathy Bradley | March 15, 2024

Dear ColoradoSPH Friends and Supporters,

I am thrilled to share some exciting updates and accomplishments with you. Just as our Colorado School of Public Health community is about to embark on strategic planning for years 15 through 20, the Council on Education in Public Health (CEPH) reaccreditation site visit was a resounding success. The school received a preliminary finding of “met” on all 43 criteria! This prestigious recognition speaks volumes about the dedication and excellence of our community.

Dr. Cathy Bradley | February 27, 2024

Welcome to 2024! The semester is off to a great start. Returning to campus after the holiday season, I feel increasing energy as more people fill the halls. I also appreciate the longer days of sunlight as we anticipate the arrival of spring in just a few more months. The beginning of the year, for many people, involves resolutions or commitments to values and goals that we hope to achieve in the months to come.

Dr. Cathy Bradley | January 29, 2024

As I write the final Dean’s note of 2023, I, like all of you, am longing for an end to war and a beginning to solutions that will end international and domestic problems – many of which fall under public health. Therefore, I am going to share a few thoughts about how we can approach fulfilling the promise of public health, starting with our school, and including volunteering our time and giving to causes important to us.

Dr. Cathy Bradley | December 19, 2023

I hope everyone enjoyed the long weekend and short break! It is hard to believe that the semester is coming to a close. Each year, I rent a house on the Outer Banks of North Carolina to spend the break with my two sons. Sometimes, it’s just us. Other times, friends come along and fill the house. This year, it was just us. On one of the days, it rained – not in the way it rains in Colorado, but a 14-hour soaking rain. The day opened space to contemplate the future of public health how we make strides toward improving the health of our society.

Dr. Cathy Bradley | November 30, 2023

I write about inclusivity this month as part of my R.I.S.E. (reach, inclusivity, surpass, expand) vision for ColoradoSPH. Writing about inclusivity in the abstract or ideal is an easy task. There are aspirational definitions, one of which I include below:

“Inclusivity means making sure everyone feels welcome, valued, and respected, no matter who they are or where they come from. Inclusivity is about creating an environment where everyone can be themselves and contribute their unique perspectives and talents.”

Dr. Cathy Bradley | October 31, 2023

Two months into my role and ColoradoSPH is in full swing. The semester is well underway, and the next generation of public health leaders are hard at work. The school is also well underway in its reaccreditation process, and we are continuing to deliver on our mission and vision. It is an exciting time for ColoradoSPH, and I am energized each day as I interact with students, faculty, and our partners in the public health community. My goal for my monthly Dean’s Note is to give you information about some of the things happening within the school and also give you some of my thoughts about current events happening outside of ColoradoSPH. Let’s start with the school.

Dr. Cathy Bradley | September 28, 2023

Coming into my role as the Dean of the Colorado School of Public Health, I have many ideas about what the school can achieve but in the first month, I listened to you – the Colorado public health community. I am fortunate to have established relationships within the school and I leaned heavily on them to gain insight. I also reached out to our constituent leaders to learn where our influence and expertise is most needed. The energy from the community and from within the school is truly special and it excites me to see what, together, we can accomplish. In my first monthly communication, I wanted to share some of the insights I gathered and how they interplay with the vision for ColoradoSPH.

Dr. Cathy Bradley | August 28, 2023