MOMENTUM UPDATE

WHSC W

FROM THE DESK OF DR. MICHAEL JOHNS
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE
ROBERT W. WOODRUFF HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER


Dr. Johns

November 21, 2006 - Special Edition

See Our Archives



KOPLAN NAMED PAUL G. ROGERS GLOBAL HEALTH RESEARCH AMBASSADOR


photo of Dr. Jeff KoplanIt is with great pleasure that I share the news that Jeffrey P. Koplan, MD, MPH, Emory University Vice President for Academic Health Affairs, and former Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has been named an Ambassador in the inaugural class of the Paul G. Rogers Society for Global Health Research.  Jeff Koplan is undoubtedly one of the world's great leaders in global public health and as a member of this prestigious Society, he joins 27 national experts in global health who will work together to advocate for greater U.S. investment in global health research.  

Members of this prestigious research advocacy group are recognized leaders in medical and global public health research and represent a spectrum of the nation's "scientist advocates." Selected by an advisory council that includes three Nobel Laureates, the inaugural class of Ambassadors will work to build a national discussion about the need to assign a high priority to global health research. Ambassadors will meet with opinion leaders and decision makers to convey the importance of global health research to Americans and to the nation. With Dr. Koplan on board, I am confident the Society will succeed in its mission.

Many of you know that Dr. Koplan joined Emory and the Woodruff Health Sciences Center in 2002, after serving as CDC director from 1998 to 2002.  He began his public health career in the early 1970s as one of the CDC’s celebrated “disease detectives,” more formally known as Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) Officers.  Since then, he has worked on virtually every major public health issue, including infectious diseases such as smallpox and HIV/AIDS, environmental issues such as the Bhopal chemical disaster, and the health toll of tobacco and chronic diseases, both in the United States and around the globe.  He recently chaired the Institute of Medicine committee on preventing childhood obesity and is internationally active in promoting healthy nutrition and physical activity. Emory is incredibly proud to have his leadership and expertise as part of the WHSC.

Dr. Jeff Koplan's diligent efforts in the area of global health represent another example of the hard work everyone in the WHSC performs each day as we pursue our core purpose of Making People Healthy.  

I wish you all a safe, healthy, and enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday.

Sincerely,


Michael M.E. Johns, MD
CEO, Woodruff Health Sciences Center