Richard and Janet Southby strongly value tertiary education and research that will benefit society, especially through projects being conducted in the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine at Monash University.
Richard’s connection to Monash began in the late ‘60’s when he was appointed as Senior Teaching Fellow in the newly established Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, located at the Alfred Hospital. Following the completion of his PhD in 1973, he returned annually to teach at his alma mater Cornell University. It was during one of these trips that he met Janet, who was an active duty US Army Nurse Corps Officer at the time, while also completing her Ph.D. in Nursing. The rest, as they say, is history!
Janet and Richard who is currently Dean and Distinguished Professor of Global Health Emeritus, School of Public Health at the George Washington University in Washington, DC have had illustrious careers in their respective fields, both working to improve the health and wellbeing of people, to benefit their country and communities.
This passion, and gratitude for the many opportunities Monash made available to Richard as a young researcher, teacher, and now as an Honorary Professor, inspired the US based couple to leave a gift in their Will to Monash University.
Giving back' is important, but making a small contribution to 'moving forward' is much more meaningful. — Dr. Richard and Dr. Janet Southby