School of Public Health
School of Public Health Develops New Partnership with PURE Academy in North Memphis
Wednesday, 12 August 2026
University of Memphis School of Public Health dean and distinguished professor Dr. Ashish Joshi, met with former Memphis City Councilman Kemp Conrad, a Board Member of PURE Academy, a boarding school in north Memphis. PURE Academy is a high school for young men that focuses on the agriculture industry along with athletic achievement.
With agriculture being closely linked to public health, Dean Joshi introduced Mr. Conrad with the SPH curriculum, highlighting UofM SPH Public Health Clubs offered at 11 Memphis area high schools, as well as other high schools internationally. The SPH Public Health Clubs focus on enhancing the physical and mental wellbeing of students through the C.A.R.E. (Coping, Adapt, Resilient, Empathy) curriculum that focuses on students’ abilities to confront life challenges.
Dean Joshi will soon visit the PURE Academy faculty to explain the public health club concept and establish a new club at the school. Mr. Conrad’s visit is part of the SPH’s on-going community relations initiative to routinely meet with community and government leaders; businesses executives and organizations connected to the public health field.
(Center) Kemp Conrad, Board Member of PURE Academy (Right) Dr. Ashish Joshi, UofM SPH Dean and Distinguished Professor (Left) Steve Shular, SPH Community Outreach Representative
The Office of Communications at The University of Memphis School of Public Health