Dr. Hyde Reflects on Time at SPH as He Prepares for Retirement

Our director of the undergraduate program within the Department of Public and Community Health, Dr. David Hyde, has announced his retirement. Dr. Hyde has been at the School for about 24 years, starting as a coordinator, adviser and teacher, and he specializes in stress and coping.

The Healthy Turtle sat down with Dr. Hyde to learn about his experience at SPH.

Healthy Turtle: What's been the best part about working at SPH?
Dr. David Hyde: The best part would definitely be the students, faculty and staff I've had the opportunity to meet and get to know. Students come and go but it is rewarding and enjoyable to get to know them a bit and see how many of them grow and mature during their relatively short stay at the university. Each graduating class has a few who are truly outstanding and I'm continually impressed with what they have already accomplished. Since the faculty and staff don't get to graduate there's a nice opportunity to build some wonderful friendships, which I hope I've done. Just the other day my friends (both of them!) stopped by and asked me when I was leaving.

HT: What's been the biggest challenge about working at SPH?
DH: I'm not sure if there was a "biggest challenge" about working in the SPH or at the university. Perhaps the daily commute in from Annapolis???

HT: What is the greatest lesson, if any, you take away from SPH?
DH: I think that my greatest work-related lesson that was re-enforced during my time at the university was the importance of doing what you love to do. I can honestly say that up until the past couple of years when a health problem popped up, I don't ever recall waking up in the morning and not wanting to come to campus. I feel very fortunate the ways things have worked out for me at the university.

HT: So what now? Will you be moving? Traveling? Taking up new hobbies, or do you have other big plans?
DH: At this time I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I'll continue to live in Annapolis and, ideally, I would like to do a lot of traveling and camping (in the U.S.) and work on my photography (landscape and nature).

Thanks, Dr. Hyde, and thanks for all you've done for SPH!