This essay discusses the need for schools of public health to convene to implement the practice of public health teaching and research by training health leaders, generating knowledge, and providing health and social services that contribute to the well-being of the community. Since their inception, the academic, research and service programs of some schools have been designed to serve as partners and allies of governments and the health sector in general. Part of their role has been to identify health risks to communities, design strategies to address major problems affecting health, create databases for assessment and intervention in conditions affecting the health of communities, as well as advise government authorities and other social sectors in health education efforts and preventive approaches. These programs have also been an essential part of the design, evaluation and implementation of organizational models of health services and institutional and community clinical care, in addition to integrate public health and health services in the development of unique models at the national level. Likewise, these have extended the scope of actions and services to other state agencies, companies and private health sector organizations, which benefit directly from the experience of the schools of public health. The academic, research and service programs have also strengthened the professional competencies of graduates of the academic programs, who occupy essential decision-making positions.