Continuing her longstanding commitment to the College of Public Health, Janet Porter ’75 BS, ’77 MHA is supporting student success through a scholarship fund that began this year.
"The health of all our citizens is dependent upon the nurturing of public health professionals," Porter said.
"When you support scholarships, you never know if you are making it possible for someone to become a county health director or an epidemiology professor or a CDC researcher. When you invest in students you create the future."
The $125,000 gift from Porter and her husband Jim O’Sullivan initiated the Dr. Janet E. Porter Scholarship Fund, which is designed to support students for generations to come. Two current CPH students were the first recipients of her generosity.
Porter also plans to expand her commitment to the College of Public Health through her estate to provide significant resources to the Division of Health Services Management and Policy.
“I’ve long admired Janet as a health care leader and as an advocate for supporting the next generation of public health and health administration leaders. Her commitment to our field’s future, and to making higher education more accessible to bright and innovative minds, is tremendous,” said Dean Paula Song.
Porter, who currently sits on Ohio State’s Foundation Board, had a vibrant career as a hospital administrator, teacher, association executive, consultant and public health leader. She taught at eight universities including Ohio State and Harvard and held leadership roles at institutions including Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
Porter previously served as a member of Ohio State’s Board of Trustees and the Ohio State University Alumni Association and on the boards of AARP, the World of Children and the National Center for Healthcare Leadership. She was awarded the 2010 Ralph Davenport Mershon Alumni Award for her leadership and service to Ohio State.
