TAU collaborates with Johns Hopkins University on summer insitute

From July 7 to 26, 2013, Tel Aviv University's School of Public Health at the Sackler Faculty of Medicine will host the second annual Summer Institute of Advanced Epidemiology and Preventative Medicine in collaboration with Johns Hopkins University's Bloomberg School of Public Health. The program comprises five advanced level courses open to students and professionals in the health care field, as well as others interested in developing advanced skills in Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine and gaining insight into Israel's health system and unique public health challenges.

"The Summer Institute of Advanced Epidemiology and Preventative Medicine, open to students from abroad and inside the country, will address topics of global importance," says Prof. Dani Cohen, Director of TAU's School of Public Health and one of the co-directors of the program along with Prof. Tamy Shohat of TAU and Prof. Jonathan Zenilman of Johns Hopkins University. "It's a rare opportunity to take advanced courses while experiencing this unique country and all the benefits that Tel Aviv has to offer."

Some of the topics on this year's calendar include food security and public health, the development and evaluation of vaccines, and cardiovascular epidemiology. The institute offers a limited number of dormitory rooms to the program's international participants. Registration and other information about the program.

A shared vision

Featuring instructors from universities and research institutions in the United States, Europe, and Israel, the Summer Institute represents the vision and dedication of leading experts in the field of public health. This summer's lecturers will be donating their time to a program — and a country — that they believe in, says Prof. Cohen. The institute is the result of many years of co-operation between TAU researchers and their colleagues in the international arena. "With these interactions, you can truly build special programs," he notes.

Last year, more than 80 Israeli and international students participated in TAU's Summer Institute program, which is based on the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health summer institute initiative. This year, Prof. Cohen predicts that new and exciting course offerings will draw an even higher number. "Faculty and researchers from University of Maryland, University of British Colombia, Emory University, Pasteur Institute, other academic institutions and the World Health Organization will be joining TAU and Johns Hopkins researchers," he says. Among the faculty from Johns Hopkins who will teach at TAU this summer are Prof. Moyses Szklo, Director of the Graduate Summer Institute of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Prof. Lawrence Appel, Director of the Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology and Clinical Research.

Breaking boundaries with public health

The Summer Institute represents the next step in the growth of TAU's School of Public Health, which has been gaining in international recognition and prestige since first opening its doors seven years ago. The Summer Institute of Advanced Epidemiology and Preventative Medicine is the second international program run by the school, joining the International Masters in Public Health in Emergency and Disaster Management program, which also draws students from all over the world.

The organizers are seeking funding for scholarships to support participation of students from all over the world including developing countries. The School of Public Health has long worked to break down boundaries through improving public health in the Middle East, and is part of the Middle East Consortium for Infectious Disease Surveillance, which brings together academic and health organizations in Israel, Jordan, and the Palestinian Authority.