Newsmakers: April 2013

Natalie McGill

Blakely named new dean at Kentucky college

APHA member Craig Blakely, PhD, MPH, in January was named dean of the University of Louisville School of Public Health and Information Sciences. Blakely previously served as dean of the Texas A&M Health Science Center School of Rural Public Health.

Burdine named interim dean

APHA member James Burdine, DrPH, MPH, in February was appointed interim dean at the Texas A&M Health Science Center School of Rural Public Health. Burdine is also the associate dean and professor for public health practice at Texas A&M.

Lewis receives human service award

APHA member Edward Lewis, MA, MSW, in December received Sacramento County’s Hero of Human Service Award in Sacramento, Calif. Lewis was recognized for his work in highlighting health disparities as a statewide outreach manager with the California Black Health Network.

Ory honored for decade of leadership

APHA member Marcia Ory, PhD, MPH, in March was recognized for being listed in the Marquis “Who’s Who in America” for 10 years in a row. Ory is a regents professor at the Texas A&M Health Science Center School of Rural Public Health. Founded by Albert Nelson Marquis, the “Who’s Who in America” is a list of biographies published annually of people who are leaders in their respective fields, such as research and journalism.

Dybul named new executive director ambassador

Mark Dybul, MD, in November was named the new executive director ambassador for the Board of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS. Dybul previously served as the U.S. global AIDS coordinator for the President’s Emergency Program for AIDS Relief.

Fine named chairman of board of trustees

Roger Fine, JD, in January was named new chairman of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation board of trustees. Fine joined the board of trustees in 2010. He previously served as member of the board of trustees at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.

Gracia named deputy assistant secretary for minority health

J. Nadine Gracia, MD, MSCE, in January was named deputy assistant secretary for minority health and director of the Office of Minority Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Gracia is the first woman since 1994 to serve as director for the Office of Minority Health. Gracia previously served in an acting director role before assuming her role permanently.

Ng’andu awarded for advocacy work

Jennifer Ng’andu in February received the Families USA Consumer Health Equity Advocate of the Year award. Ng’andu received the award for her work as director of health and civil rights policy project for the National Council of La Raza. Families USA is a health care consumer advocacy group.

Reed named new clinical director

Eddie Reed, MD, in January was named clinical director for the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities Intramural Research Program. The program is a part of the National Institutes of Health. Reed previously served as professor of oncologic sciences at the University of South Alabama’s Mitchell Cancer Institute.

Wasserman named director of Rand Health

Jeffrey Wasserman, PhD, MS, in February was named the new vice president and director of Rand Health, a division of the Rand Corporation. Wasserman previously researched health care reform as a co-principal investigator of Rand’s Comprehensive Assessment of Reform Efforts.

Gates family receives public welfare medal

Bill and Melinda Gates will receive the 2013 Public Welfare Medal on April 28 from the National Academy of Sciences. The couple, who co-chair the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, received the medal for their international public health work, which includes a $25 billion investment since 1994 in eliminating infectious disease in poorer countries.