JOHNSON CITY A generous gift from Former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist will allow students in East Tennessee State Universitys College of Public Health to expand their educational experiences by serving and learning in developing countries.
The Frist Global Health Scholars program will provide funding for students who want to complete their field placement education at an international location. Support for three ETSU students will be available during the first year.
Senator Frist visited our campus last fall as part of the Leading Voices in Public Health lecture series. During his speech, the Senator spoke eloquently about the importance of public health and global health in advancing the cause of worldwide peace and diplomacy, said Dr. Randy Wykoff, ETSU Dean of Public Health. Nationally and internationally, the Senator has been a leader in advocating for the importance of U.S. health professionals learning, studying, and serving abroad. We are tremendously grateful that he has now given our students the opportunity to participate in the kind of experiences which he has so strongly advocated.
Wykoff noted that all undergraduate and graduate students in ETSUs College of Public Health are required to complete a field internship.
Senator Frist said, We are excited to have the opportunity to provide support for ETSUs College of Public Health students to implement their skill sets with service to underserved communities. This is a unique time for students to cultivate their global health interests not just for their education but also their careers. We hope to encourage a commitment to global health, at home and abroad, among Tennessees best scholars moving into health care.
Frist established the program through his Hope Through Healing Hands Foundation.
