Newsmakers April 2024

Sophia Meador

Renzi-Hammond named innovation professor

APHA member Lisa Renzi-Hammond, PhD, MS, was named the Leonard W. Poon professor for innovation in public health and aging at the University of Georgia in January. Renzi-Hammond is director of the school’s Institute of Gerontology and co-director of the Cognitive and Aging Research and Education Center.

Ellis named director

APHA member Wendy Ellis, MPH, DrPH, was named director of the George Washington University’s Institute for Racial, Ethnic and Socioeconomic Equity in February. Ellis is assistant professor of global health and director of the Milken Institute School of Public Health’s Center for Community Resilience. Her work focuses on systemic inequities and health disparities across communities.

Brownson receives education award

APHA member Ross Brownson, PhD, was named the recipient of the Society for Public Health Education’s 2024 Honorary Fellow Award in January for his contributions to public health and education. Brownson holds a dual position at Washington University in St. Louis’ Brown School of Medicine in the Department of Surgery and the Siteman Cancer Center.

USPSTF announces new members

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force announced three new members in January: APHA member Sarah Wiehe, MD, MPH, a professor of pediatrics and associate dean of community and translational research at Indiana University School of Medicine; Sei Lee, MD, MAS, a professor of medicine in the Division of Geriatrics at the University of California-San Francisco; and Tonette Krousel-Wood, MD, MSPH, a professor and the Jack Aron endowed chair in primary care medicine in the Tulane School of Medicine Department of Medicine. They each began four-year terms in January.

Kirschling named dean emerita

Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, was named dean emerita of the University of Maryland School of Nursing in February. Kirschling served as dean from 2013 to 2023. Her tenure prioritized expanding the nursing workforce, promoting equity and diversity, and advancing nursing research.

Geisel School of Medicine awarded for diversity

The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth was honored with the 2023 Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award in January. The school was recognized for its diversity, equity, and inclusion infrastructures across campus, work to provide education and training opportunities, and initiatives to improve rural access to care.

Yelpaala appointed director

Kaakpema “K.P.” Yelpaala, MPH, was appointed faculty director of Innovate Health Yale in January. Yelpaala was recognized for equitable and commercially successful health innovation. He co-founded In On Health and founded access mobile International. His began his appointment in January.

Franklin named interim commissioner

Frank Franklin, PhD, JD, MPH, was named interim Health Commissioner for the city of Philadelphia in February. Franklin previously served as deputy health commissioner for the city. He assumed the new position in February.

Dobbs named chair

Thomas Dobbs, MD, was named endowed chair for the study of health disparities at the University of Mississippi in February. Dobbs served as a state health officer at the Mississippi State Department of Health and dean of the John D. Bower School of Population Health at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

Chokshi joins board

Dave Chokshi, MD, former commissioner of New York City’s Department of Health, has joined the board of directors of Yuvo Health. Chokshi is a practicing primary care physician and professor at the City College of New York.

Harper reappointed to board

Gary Harper, MPH, PhD, was reappointed to the Michigan Board of Psychology in January. Harper was appointed as vice-chair in 2020 for his extensive advocacy on mental health and LGBTQ+ youth. His second term will last through December 2027.