The National Library of Medicine (NLM) will administer a $3.68 million grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) to develop tomorrow’s public health leaders in the science of public health informatics.

Public health informatics is the practice of integrating state-of-the-art computer technology for managing knowledge and information to enhance the work of public health professionals and others.

The program begins July 1, 2005, and funds educational training sites at four universities: Columbia University, the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, the University of Utah, and the University of Washington. Students will receive training in basic information science and public health principles, focused preparation in applying informatics to public health problems, and on-site experience with public health agencies.

Graduates of the program are expected to pursue a variety of career tracks. Some will enter directly into governmental public health agencies, while others will conduct research and train future generations of public health information professionals. The grant will support program development at the selected training sites as well as stipends, tuition and other trainee expenses.

See the Press Announcement for details about this initiative, including contact personnel at each of the four institutions.