Why I Give
Supporters give to the College of Public Health for a variety of compelling reasons. These generous gifts advance the college's mission to create a healthier society.
"It has been a real pleasure working with the College of Public Health team throughout my tenure as an advisory board member, as a member of the campaign team, and as a personal contributor. Although my wife, Carline, and I are alumni of the two other Regents institutions, we are honored to be a part of the College of Public Health mission that benefits all of Iowa and beyond. We are particularly pleased to help establish a scholarship fund to support a diversified student body, which is so critical in today's environment."
Thomas Phillips is a former member of the College of Public Health Board of Advisors and the former director of community investment for Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. The Phillipses initiated support for the W. Thomas and Carline Phillips Diversity scholarship.
"The University of Iowa has been my work home since arriving in Iowa in 1982. Joining the faculty in the College of Public Health in 2001 has provided many opportunities for me to advance professionally in a critical and stimulating field. The UI is a wonderful community of students, staff, and faculty. I hope that in giving my time and treasure, I can play some small part in the development of future public health leaders."
Mary Lober Aquilino, '93 Ph.D. Instructional Design and Technology
Dr. Aquilino is an associate professor of community and behavioral health and assistant dean and director of the Master of Public Health degree program in the College of Public Health. She is a longtime donor to multiple University of Iowa programs, including the Department of Community and Behavioral Health.
"As a student, I received the Adrienne Astolfi Eddins Scholarship and held a research assistantship. This support allowed me to really focus on my studies. Now as a professional, I want to promote education and make sure we have skilled people to lead health management organizations. There are a lot of challenges in this field. Mentoring and preparing students to lead organizations will do the industry well."
Tina Freese-Decker, '02 M.H.A./M.S. Industrial Engineering
Ms. Freese-Decker is vice president, System Strategic Planning and Development, Spectrum Health; and executive director, Spectrum Health Regional Hospital Network, in Grand Rapids, Mich. She is a donor to the Department of Health Management and Policy and a member of the department's Alumni Board.
"In college, we both had the experience of having inspiring and motivational guest lecturers in our respective fields of endeavor, and we wanted the students of the College of Public Health to have a similar experience. We strongly believe in supporting higher education, and it has been a joyful experience. The College of Public Health was a perfect opportunity for us to be part of something that needed support. We believe the Leadership Award has been successful and has contributed to the reputation and growth of the college."
Richard and Barbara Hansen are the College of Public Health's first Founding Partners. The Hansen's endowment established the college's annual Richard and Barbara Hansen Leadership Award and Distinguished Lectureship.
"Following my undergraduate education, I worked at the UI Hospital for a year as an orderly. It was there that I learned about hospital administration, and I discovered my love for hospitals. Hospitals are a community of people who want to help other folks. I thought hospital administration would be a good fit for me. I think it is terribly important for those of us who attended the college to support it over time. It's pretty clear to me that one needs to give back to those institutions that supported them."
George Caldwell, '55 Hospital and Health Administration
Mr. Caldwell is the former president and CEO of Lutheran General Health Care System in Park Ridge, Ill. He is a 35-year donor to the Department of Health Management and Policy.
"Giving is a 'mitzvah,' a good deed done for individuals or the community. It is both a personal obligation and a privilege. My favorite donation to the University is the Shari Chen-Hardee Scholarship Fund. Shari was a loving, giving, caring friend; outstanding student; inquisitive researcher; and trusted mentor who strived for excellence in everything she did. By giving to her scholarship fund we honor her memory and keep her close to us. By supporting students today who exemplify all the qualities that Shari possessed, we are investing in their education and in our own future."
Linda Rubenstein, '93 Ph.D. Preventive Medicine with emphasis in biostatistics
Dr. Rubenstein is an associate research scientist in the Department of Epidemiology. Her husband, Peter Rubenstein, is a professor in the Department of Biochemistry. The Rubensteins support the Department of Biostatistics and the Shari Chen-Hardee Scholarship Fund in the Department of Epidemiology.
"Clearly, the construction of this facility is essential for the college, both as a symbol of its evolving identity as a recognized leader in public health research and education, as well as a solution to issues stemming from the scattering of program components across the UI campus. The trust is very pleased to assist the college in this effort, and, with this contribution, hopes to encourage other donors to participate in the ongoing building campaign."
Troy K. Ross is the executive administrator of The Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust. The Carver Trust has contributed $2 million to the Building Today for a Healthy Tomorrow campaign.
"Thanks to the support of the J. Fredric Green Fellowship, I completed my residency training in occupational and environmental medicine through The University of Iowa in August 2005. I then accepted a clinical position at Iowa Methodist Occupational Health and Wellness, where I apply the broad base of training experiences I received through the multidisciplinary interactions at the University on a daily basis as I care for injured workers."
Robin Epp, '06 M.P.H. in Occupational and Environmental Health
Dr. Epp is an occupational medicine physician and medical director at Iowa Methodist Occupational Health and Wellness in West Des Moines, Iowa, and was the 2004-05 recipient of the J. Fredric Green, M.D. Fellowship in Occupational Medicine.