Minnesota health commissioner addresses 2011 grads

Ed Ehlinger

“Six months ago I could never have imagined that I would be here today giving this address,” said Ed Ehlinger in his remarks at the school’s commencement ceremony.

Ehlinger was referring to his recent appointment as Minnesota Commissioner of Health. Prior to that, he served for 16 years as director and chief health officer for Boynton Health Service at the University of Minnesota.

“The opportunity to be health commissioner at this point in my career should be a reminder to you, at the beginning of your public health careers, to always be ready to seize a promising, unexpected opportunity,”

Ehlinger said to the 227 graduates. The SPH adjunct professor also stressed the importance of addressing health disparities in the coming years.

“I challenge you to make social justice part of your public health portfolio by constantly redefining the unacceptable,” he said.

Listen to Ehlinger’s remarks and see commencement photos