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Deborah Prothrow-Stith is now Associate Dean for Diversity

Deborah Prothrow-Stith, formerly associate dean for faculty development, has assumed the newly created position of associate dean for diversity.  In this role, Dr. Prothrow-Stith will create and head the HSPH Office of Diversity, whose chief mission will be to advance the recruitment and retention of minority students, fellows, and faculty members at our school.  The office will also work to improve the cultural environment and competence of our community.

The first woman to be appointed commissioner of public health for Massachusetts, Dr. Prothrow-Stith has a long-standing interest in health inequalities and diversity issues.  She is a recognized leader in the field of violence prevention, an innovator in curriculum development, a skilled developer of community partnerships, and an exceptional teacher and educator.  She currently serves on the Harvard University Committee on Faculty Development and Diversity, chaired by Provost Evelynn Hammonds, and will continue in that role.  She will also represent HSPH in national forums centered on diversity.

Announcement

Diversity at HSPH

The field of public health holds a comprehensive concern for all of the communities of the world. The Harvard School of Public Health embodies this broad and inclusive vision in its overarching mission to advance the public's health through learning, discovery, and communication. Diversity among our faculty, students, and staff is both critical to our progress in this mission and central to academic excellence.

Nevertheless, while public health is both for and about everyone, there are groups that have been historically underrepresented at U.S. schools of public health. HSPH is committed to providing opportunities for those groups within the learning, working, researching, and teaching communities of the school. Through educational field trips for local grade- and high-school students to visit HSPH classrooms, career-building internships for high school students, master's and doctoral degree programs, postdoctoral research fellowships, and teaching and faculty opportunities, the school strives to increase diversity at all levels.

At Harvard School of Public Health, we respect and value the inherent worth of each individual. We are committed to tolerance, sensitivity, understanding, and mutual respect within our community. We hereby affirm our commitment to providing a rich and welcoming environment for all.

Yerby Diversity Lectures in Public Health

Previous Lectures

• Combating the Obesity Epidemic: Recognizing and Reconciling Research Priorities (Shiriki K. Kumanyika)
• Healthcare Reform in Massachusetts: Moving Beyond Insurance Reform (JudyAnn Bigby)
• The Tuskegee Syphilis Study and the Ethical Implications for Current Research and Intervention (Bill Jenkins)

The Yerby Diversity and Public Health Lectures, sponsored by the HSPH Faculty Diversity Initiative, bring distinguished minority scientists and scholars to the Harvard School of Public Health to speak on important health topics.

Contact Information

Megan Lloyd
Office of Diversity
Harvard School of Public Health
35 Wigglesworth Street (As of May 31st)
Boston, MA 02115

Telephone: 617-496-0721
Email: mlloyd@hsph.harvard.edu