May 25, 2000

BIRMINGHAM, AL — The Bill and Judy Bridgers Endowed Scholarship Fund has been established at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Public Health in honor of its founder Dr. Bill Bridgers and his wife Judy. The fund will support annual scholarships for deserving students pursuing graduate degrees in public health.

Contributions to the scholarship fund have reached $50,000. "The school created the Bridgers Scholarship Fund to pay tribute to the Bridgers for their years of successful work to improve and protect the health of their fellow citizens," says Dr. Eli Capilouto, dean of the School of Public Health.

Bridgers joined the UAB faculty in 1968 and was named chair of the department of public health in the School of Medicine in 1976. In 1978, he led the department in earning accreditation as a School of Public Health — the first and only school of public health in Alabama — and played an instrumental role in reorganizing the department into the School of Public Health in 1981.

Those wishing to make a contribution to the Bridgers Endowed Scholarship Fund may do so through the UAB School of Public Health, RPHB 140B, 1530 3rd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294-0022; (205) 975-7742.