UofM SPH Expands Public Health Clubs in Memphis Area High Schools

August 14, 2025 - University of Memphis (UofM) School of Public Health (SPH) Dean, Dr. Ashish Joshi, continued collaborations this week with principals at three Memphis area high schools to expand the SPH’s public health club network.

During the week, Dean Joshi met with Dr. Jamie Green from Raleigh-Egypt High School and Dr. Derek King, the principal at Craigmont High School. Memphis City Councilmember Rhonda Logan also attended the session.

The meeting was the result of Dean Joshi’s presentation earlier this year to the Memphis City Council about the success of the high school public health clubs and the need to have more clubs in local high schools.

Dean Joshi also traveled to Hamilton High School with SPH Community Representative Steve Shular, to discuss starting a club at that school in south Memphis. They met with Principal Blanchard Diavua, Vice Principal Nancy Harrison and Memphis City Councilmember, Ms. Yolanda Cooper-Sutton.

The concept for the public health clubs was created by the UofM SPH. The PH clubs focus on students’ health and wellbeing, critical thinking skills to solve public health issues in their community and introduces students to the UofM SPH curriculum and careers associated with a degree in public health.

Seven Memphis area high schools have public health clubs with more schools planning to start clubs this fall. The University of Memphis Model for the club curriculum is also being used internationally at high schools in several other countries.

(Center) - Dr. Ashish Joshi, Dean, and a Distinguished University Professor, (Bottom left) Dr. Derek King, Principal, Craigmont High School, Bottom Right, Dr. Jamie Green, Principal, Raleigh-Egypt High School (Top right) Memphis City Councilmember Rhonda Logan

(L-R) Dr. Ashish Joshi, Dean, and a Distinguished University Professor, Ms. Nancy Harrison, Vice Principal, Hamilton High School, Memphis City Councilmember Yolanda Cooper-Sutton, Dr. Blanchard Diavua, Principal, Hamilton High School and Steve Shular, Community Outreach Representative, UofM School of Public Health