Center For Public Health
Our Vision
A future where health and well-being are realized—advancing equity, fostering community resilience, and ensuring that all people have the opportunity to thrive.
Our Mission
We bring together communities, scholars, and leaders to advance public health through collaboration, innovation, and equity.
Our work is grounded in four core pillars:
Research: Collaborating with community members and scholars to advance innovative approaches and solutions.
Education: Educating future and current public health leaders and community-based organizations on critical public health topics.
Community Partnerships: Building and sustaining strong, trusted relationships with communities to collectively address pressing health challenges and put research into action.
Policy and Practice: Advocating for effective policies and implementing practices that promote equitable health solutions for all.
Our Current Work
Public Health Impact Hub
We are excited to announce the launch of the Public Health Impact Hub!
The Impact Hub provides high-impact, accessible learning opportunities for government agencies, nonprofits, and community-based organizations, tailored to meet the unique needs of public health professionals.
Read the press release hereSeminar Series
On October 17th, Penn CPH hosted a Healthy Housing Symposium that convened community leaders, policymakers, researchers, and advocates to examine how housing quality, stability, and affordability shape health outcomes across Philadelphia.
The symposium featured a keynote talk from Sister Mary Scullion of Project HOME.
Read more herePublic Health Pipeline Plus
The Public Health Pipeline Plus program is a longitudinal summer internship for high school students, facilitated by the Center for Public Health and the Netter Center for Community Partnerships. This program allows Philadelphia high school students interested in health related careers to expand their knowledge in Public Health through classroom learning and fieldwork activities.
More Info
Announcing the appointment of Cheryl Bettigole, MD, MPH
As of January 1, 2026, Cheryl Bettigole MD, MPH, Professor of Clinical Family Medicine and Community Health at Penn with a secondary appointment as Professor of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, will become the new Executive Director of the Penn Center for Public Health.
Dr. Bettigole succeeds Richard C. Wender MD, as the Executive Director of CPH, whom we thank for his enthusiastic and thoughtful leadership. Having led the Center since 2022, Dr. Wender has guided the Center through a period of renewal and strategic growth following its intensive pandemic-era focus on COVID-19 response. The Center has reestablished and expanded its programming to address pressing public health challenges through workforce development, education, and community engagement.
