The School Of Public Health and Health Services is looking toward the future as it celebrates its 10th anniversary this month.

One of the school’s major goals for the upcoming years is to acquire a new facility separate from the School of Medicine in Ross Hall where SPHHS is currently located.

“(We want) a home of our own,” said Ruth Katz, the school’s dean. “We cannot grow without space.”

She said the absence of a building specifically for SPHHS is hurting the school’s faculty.

“Not having our own building causes faculty to miss out on opportunities to network and collaborate that may help us to get more grant opportunities,” Katz said.

She said the school, which is only one of only 37 accredited public health programs in the country, also needs to further improve teaching, research and commitment to service.

“We will continue to build research,” she said. “But it has grown by leaps and bounds over four years.”

SPHHS is composed of seven fields of study, including epidemiology and biostatistics, exercise science, health policy and global health – the department’s largest program.

Since becoming dean of SPHHS in 2003, Katz said she has made it a priority to strengthen the bond GW has with the District. SPHHS is actively taking part in issues of importance to the local community such as HIV/AIDS, clean drinking water and Hepatitis B prevention.

“I am most proud of the relationship that has been strengthened over the last your years with the District of Columbia Department of Health as well as those of surrounding counties,” she said.

The SPHHS dean said the 1,000-student school must re-engage more of its alumni and attract more students and faculty in order to accomplish its goals.

“We cannot stand still,” Katz said. “We cannot assume we will attract the same students and faculty.”

She added, “We have to do even better and create opportunities that set us apart.”

Students are also equally passionate about the growth and development of the SPHHS.

“All my professors know me by name and know what classes I’m taking,” said Student Association Sen. Isa Bacardi (SPHHS-U), a senior majoring in exercise science. “The professors know that you exist.”