The 国产短视频 is home to the highest-ranked public health degree program in Florida (U.S. News and World Report, 2025). The university is also home to a new (CPH) recipient .
鈥� (COPH) Dean Vermund is a trailblazer in academic public health known for his visionary leadership and commitment to advancing the field,鈥� said , COPH professor and associate dean of academic affairs. 鈥淒ean Vermund鈥檚 decision to pursue the CPH credential sends a powerful message about the importance of professional standards in today鈥檚 public health landscape.鈥�
国产短视频president Rhea Law (center) and Rocky D. Bull (front) celebrate the spring public health graduates earning their CPH designation.
The CPH, administered by the (NBPHE), affirms a practitioner鈥檚 mastery of core public health competencies, as well as their dedication to ethical practice and lifelong learning. The CPH is a symbol to both the public and the workforce that a certified public health professional is not only well-educated, but also deeply committed to a shared standard of excellence and professional identity.
鈥淎s the field faces growing complexity and public scrutiny, the CPH serves as a vital tool for ensuring professionals are equipped with the knowledge and accountability needed to meet today鈥檚 challenges,鈥� said Corvin, who also serves as chair of NBPHE鈥檚 certification committee.
鈥淒octors, nurses and barbers need certification to practice their professions, and I鈥檝e always wondered why public health does not have a credentialing process,鈥� Vermund said. 鈥淕iven that our students take the CPH exam, I thought that their dean should also be vetted. Plus, my distinguished predecessor , insisted!鈥�
Vermund鈥檚 example aligns with a growing movement among academic institutions to embed certification into public health curricula. In the COPH, all master鈥檚 students are required to earn the CPH, reinforcing the college鈥檚 commitment to preparing graduates who are not only well-trained, but also professionally recognized. A growing emphasis on certification is also being reflected across the public health workforce, with health departments and public health agencies increasingly recognizing the value of the CPH in hiring, advancement and professional development.
Spring graduates show off their CPH stole at commencement.
As the (ASPPH) continues to advocate for excellence in education and practice, the CPH remains a cornerstone of that vision鈥攅nsuring that public health professionals are equipped to lead with integrity, expertise and purpose.
鈥淎t USF, the CPH is another example of how we practice our passion,鈥� Covin said. 鈥淒r. Vermund hopes that his leadership and example send a powerful message to students, faculty and practitioners alike鈥攃ertification matters!鈥�
鈥淣ow is the time to lead by example,鈥� Vermund said. 鈥淚f you haven鈥檛 earned your CPH, consider joining the growing community of certified public health professionals who are shaping the future.鈥�
Learn more about the CPH designation at .