Peck, Magda

Dr. Peck begins her interview describing how her upbringing and formidable early experiences outside of Philadelphia shaped her “not looking for permission” attitude toward life. She describes what led her to attend one of the first physician assistant programs in the country at Hahnemann University Hospital and later a residency at Yale and how they inspired her interest in public health. She defines what public health means to her and how she ended up completing her doctorate in public health at Harvard. Peck details how the origins of the College of Public Health at UNMC grew from the Child Health Policy section of pediatrics, into the masters of public health program and ultimately into an independent college. She chronicles her role in the creation of the national public health organization, CityMatCH, and related conferences. She also notes her involvement with the creation of unified colligate cooperation in the establishment of public health education in Nebraska through NEAPHI. Peck ends the interview discussing how she feels about receiving attention and awards for her work, notably the Martha May Elliott Award and the McQueen Award (2009).

Transcript of an interview with Magda G. Peck.