FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2005

CONTACT: Steve Dolan
(619) 594-5664
sdolan@mail.sdsu.edu

SAN DIEGO, Wednesday, October 12, 2005 - Naval Medical Center San Diego and San Diego State University have started a Master's Degree in Public Health program with a concentration in Health Services Administration, Public Health Management specialization.

This is a cooperative program between Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD) and SDSU's College of Extended Studies and Graduate School of Public Health, Division of Health Services Administration. It is the first joint venture between NMCSD and a university for a healthcare leadership degree.

"We are always looking for ways to improve the delivery of the excellent academic programs offered at San Diego State University," said William E. Byxbee, dean of SDSU's College of Extended Studies. "This program reflects the continuing commitment of all colleges at SDSU to provide professional programs using a variety of delivery techniques to our extended community of learners."

The program, located at NMCSD, is designed to meet the education and development needs of experienced professionals, both military and civilian.

"There is an increasing demand to create skilled leaders to manage the increasing complexity and business demands of Navy medicine," said Capt. (Dr.) Brad Poss, NMCSD's former director of medical education. "This is an innovative program designed to train the future healthcare leaders of Navy medicine through a unique partnership of academia and the military."

The program goals are:

• To offer busy health care professionals a high quality alternative for obtaining their degree.
• To provide the knowledge, skills, and perspectives needed for continued career advancement.
• To assist management and clinical practitioners in applying theories, principals and techniques to improve the way personal and public health care services are financed, organized and provided.
• To develop a solid foundation for lifelong learning and professional development.

Capt. Foss believes the joint venture will benefit both military and civilian health care institutions through "the development of a core group of clinical managers who can implement best business practices and population health initiatives."

To attain a Master of Public Health degree, 12 courses and 34 semester units or credits must be completed.

SDSU's College of Extended Studies offers a wide variety of lifelong learning classes, seminars, and certificate programs. Career advancement courses are offered in many areas of management, leadership, and quality improvement while self-enrichment courses range from astronomy to web design. Additionally, the College offers over 30 certificate programs, online courses, and many other learning opportunities. To register or for more information, call (619) 265-SDSU (7378) or log on to www.NeverStopLearning.net.