Oz Nelson Public Health Academy Endowed Fund

The Oz Nelson Public Health Academy Endowed Fund, established in memory of Kent C. "Oz" Nelson, honors his unwavering commitment to youth development and public health leadership by expanding and enhancing the David J. Sencer CDC Museum Public Health Academy for youth.

With the demand for public health workers at an all-time high, investing in the development pipeline of the public health workforce, beginning with adolescent youth, is essential to protecting and improving health. A diverse, well-trained and competent public health workforce is the cornerstone to building a stronger healthcare system and healthier, more resilient communities.

The CDC Museum Public Health Academy (PHA) features STEM-based educational programs that offer in-person and online learning experiences for high school students. Many of the PHA's programs provide opportunities for youth to engage with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) subject matter experts in various capacities. The PHA's compelling career-oriented content introduces young minds to the possibilities of a career in public health. It stands as the only free, easily accessible public health education program for high school students, however, due to limited resources, additional funding is needed to expand the program to meet the growing demand from students. Current PHA program components include:

  • Disease Detective Camp: Two on-site, week-long summer programs for high school juniors and seniors simulating CDC’s epidemiology, laboratory and public communications activities during a mock disease outbreak.
  • PHA Online Summer Course: A virtual summer experience where high school students can take web-based courses on public health topics.
  • Teen Newsletter: A newsletter that introduces teens to population health concerns studied by the CDC, featuring highlights from the CDC Museum collection and Teen Talks with CDC experts.
  • STEM Lessons for Educators: Free teacher resources that add science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) to educate middle and high school students about public health through hands-on activities.

The Oz Nelson Public Health Academy Summer Camp has significantly influenced its participants, with 60% of program graduates stating that the camp impacted their choice of college major. Many credit their exposure to public health at the camp for shaping their academic and career paths, leading them to pursue fields such as medicine, public health and civil engineering.

In celebration and memory of Oz Nelson, your contribution will help the CDC Foundation to both provide immediate resources to support an increase in the number of students participating, and establish a $2.5 million endowment to expand and enhance the David J. Sencer CDC Museum Public Health Academy.

Make a gift that has lasting impact. To support this important program, visit cdcf.link/PHAcademyFund. 

View Our Digital Brochure

Program Graduate Comments

Exposure to public health through camp was fundamental in shaping my academic interests.

The camp helped me understand inequities in healthcare access. I chose to study civil engineering to understand how to help increase access for all communities to healthcare.

I am now an emergency medicine physician with a special passion for international medicine and public health.

Program Description: To establish a $2.5 million endowment to expand and enhance the David J. Sencer CDC Museum Public Health Academy for youth.
Program Partners:
  • David J. Sencer CDC Museum
Program Location:
  • United States of America
CDC Museum
Endowed and Restricted Funds
David J. Sencer CDC Museum
The Oz Nelson Public Health Academy Fund
Kent 'Oz' Nelson
Kent "Oz" Nelson was deeply committed to youth development and public health leadership.
High school students learn about science and public health.
A CDC foodborne scientist (seated) preps a team of students as they begin work on the lab component of a mock foodborne outbreak.
High school student learns about science and public health.
Students have just received and are reviewing a packet of information related to a mock outbreak they will solve together. Each team of three students creates a questionnaire to use during the interview process.