Julio Frenk
In an e-mail announcement to the School, Dean Barry Bloom said that Dr. Frenk is an internationally recognized public health leader and has revolutionized the public health system in Mexico. During his time as Minister of Health, from December 2000 to December 2006, Dr. Frenk led the design of an innovative plan to address equity, quality, and financial protection for the citizens of Mexico. His leadership and vision have marked a new age in public health and redefined plans for universal health care there.
Prior to serving as the Minister of Health of Mexico, Dr. Frenk was the Executive Director in charge of Evidence and Information for Policy at the World Health Organization and was a member of the Cabinet of Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland during the first half of her tenure as Director-General of WHO. Between 1995 and 1998, Dr. Frenk served as the Executive Vice President of the Mexican Health Foundation, a private non-profit organization, and the Director of its Center for Health and the Economy, where he strengthened policy dialogue and produced a critical analysis of the Mexican health system. Dr. Frenk has also had an extensive academic career, including an appointment as visiting professor at the Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies in 1993.
Since leaving his post as Minister of Health last December, Dr. Frenk has joined the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as a senior fellow and continues to provide leadership in global health and innovative ideas regarding health disparities and the burden of disease.
Copyright, 2009, President and Fellows of Harvard College
