Dear Members of the Harvard Chan School Community, After more than a year of working and learning remotely, being away from friends and colleagues, and existing in a constant state of uncertainty, we are all more than ready for our lives to return to something resembling normal. With the rollout of vaccines across the country, … Continue reading “Return-to-campus planning”
Dear Members of the Harvard Chan School Community, We were shocked and deeply saddened by news of the fatal shootings yesterday of eight people in the Atlanta area. Six of the victims were women of Asian descent. Authorities are still investigating whether these murders were racially motivated. But these murders come at an extremely difficult … Continue reading “Yesterday’s shootings in Georgia”
Dear Members of the Harvard Chan School Community, We write as we are all facing some grim milestones: more than 500,000 people dead from COVID-19 in the U.S. and more than 2.5 million worldwide, and an entire year of working, teaching, and learning remotely. This was certainly not how we imagined our lives would be … Continue reading “Reflection Wall”
Dear Members of the Harvard Chan School Community, I hope you have had a chance to read President Larry Bacow’s message from last Friday about this year’s Harvard Commencement, which will once again be a virtual event. As President Bacow mentioned, this decision was made to ensure public health and safety. For that same reason, … Continue reading “Graduation”
Dear Members of the Harvard Chan School Community, I am writing to let you know that Russ Hauser will be stepping down as chair of the Department of Environmental Health. Russ has led the department since 2016. We will immediately begin the search process for a new chair. I extend my deep gratitude to Russ … Continue reading “Leadership of the Department of Environmental Health”
Dear Harvard Chan School community, It is with great sadness that I write to inform you of the passing of a beloved emeritus faculty member and mentor, Bernard Lown. His was a life devoted to the health and well-being of people around the world, from his innovative work in the field of cardiology to his … Continue reading “Sad news about Bernard Lown”
Dear Members of the Harvard Chan School Community, It is my great pleasure to announce that Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO), will serve as the 2021 Harvard Chan School Commencement speaker during our ceremony in May. An Ethiopian academic, politician, and public health leader, Dr. Tedros was elected as … Continue reading “2021 Harvard Chan School Commencement Speaker”
Dear Members of the Harvard Chan School Community, Before dawn this morning, Congress officially certified the election of Joseph R. Biden Jr. and Kamala D. Harris. It brought an end to a disgraceful and downright terrifying day—one that left four people dead and shook the very foundation of our democracy. None of us will ever … Continue reading “Hope after a dark day”
Dear Members of the Harvard Chan School Community, Once again, I find myself writing to you in the midst of extraordinary national events. The chaotic and violent scenes unfolding at the U.S. Capitol have been deeply disturbing and devastating to witness. I hope that peace will be restored quickly—and that our country can commence the … Continue reading “A difficult day”
Dear Members of the Harvard Chan School Community, Voters took to the polls last week in the U.S. national election, and in a testament to the civic engagement of millions across the country, the turnout appears to have been the highest in more than a century. On Saturday, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were elected … Continue reading “A time of transition”
