Innovations at PHI

The Public Health Institute’s national reputation for advancing public health is clearly rooted in the innovative thinking of our program leaders. These dedicated individuals consistently provide the imaginative, creative thinking required to develop the groundbreaking programs that offer the most hope for preventing disease, saving lives and improving quality of life.

Adeline Hackett, PhD, was this kind of leader. A talented and renowned researcher, she served with distinction on PHI’s Board of Directors from 1979 to 1999. Dr. Hackett’s groundbreaking work in the field of breast cancer research resulted in an effective new approach to detecting this disease. Throughout her career, Dr. Hackett increasingly recognized the critical importance of encouraging daring and innovative ideas in formulating solutions to public health problems. Without collegial support, and without some resources to encourage the imagination, many public health professionals don’t risk allowing daring, novel ideas to emerge and be expressed in actions.

In recognition of Dr. Hackett’s commitment to innovations in public health, PHI has formed the Adeline Hackett Innovations Initiative to encourage creative thinking in the field. The initiative will develop funds to be used in a program of small grant making within the PHI community. The first round of grants may be used for creative work, study, travel or other endeavors that have the potential to propel public health innovations forward.

It is our hope that this initiative will allow the simmering ideas and dreams—which people sometimes set aside for the sake of present-day realities—to reach a stage where they can be more fully explored.

You can lend your support to this exciting new initiative by making a generous contribution to the Public Health Institute today. Contributions are tax-deductible to the maximum extent allowed by law. For more information, contact communications@phi.org.