By Gina Lovasi, PhD, MPH, the Dana and David Dornsife Dean and Professor of Epidemiology at Drexel University's Dornsife School of Public Health

National Public Health Week (NPHW), celebrated each year during the first full week of April, is a time of renewal at the Dornsife School of Public Health. It also times nicely with the changing of the seasons and the beginning of our spring quarter here at Drexel University.

Created by the American Public Health Association (APHA), NPHW is a moment for the entire public health community to pause, reflect, and recommit to the work that shapes the health and well-being of people everywhere.

APHA's theme this year, "Ready. Set. Action!", feels especially timely. We are living through a period of profound challenge and change in public health education and throughout the field. NPHW is a time to broadcast far and wide that public health matters and demonstrate why: Public health improves our daily lives, safeguards our loved ones, extends our life spans, and strengthens the communities we call home.

As Dean, I see that legacy carried forward every day in the curiosity and commitment of our students. The hardships ahead are real, but the talent and passion that the future public health workforce possesses inspire me. A sample of this talent and passion at Dornsife is showcased on our Student & Alumni stories page. Check out their stories and learn about why public health was more than a career choice, but a calling for students and alumni who believe in our mission of advancing health as a human right.

Our school and its student organizations are offering a variety of NPHW events and activities throughout the week beginning Monday, April 6. These include a Public Health Fair event in the Nesbitt Hall lobby, invited speaker lectures, and more.

I also encourage the broad public health community to join in Wednesday’s Flood the Feed Initiative led by APHA to create a noticeable surge of public health content across multiple social media platforms.

I hope you will join me in observing NPHW in whichever way feels poignant to you.