Public health gets new dean
Ashton Shurson - The Daily Iowan
Issue date: 3/24/08 Section: Metro
Susan Curry, the director of the Institute for Health Research and Policy for the University of Illinois-Chicago, was named to be the new dean of the UI College of Public Health on March 20.
"She is a wonderful researcher and a wonderful leader," UI interim Provost Lola Lopes said.
Curry is also a professor of health policy and administration in the School of Public Health at the University of Illinois. She will start Aug. 1, replacing James Merchant, who will step down July 1 but remain a member of the faculty.
Lopes praised the researcher for her successful record as the director of the institute and her "notable record in the work in reducing the use of tobacco."
Curry, who will be the second dean in the college's history, has a record in tobacco research including studies of motivation to quit smoking, prevention interventions, and the health-care costs associated with smoking cessation.
"I'm really excited," said Mary Aquilino, an assistant dean in the College of Public Health. "She brings a wealth of experience to the UI."
The new dean received a doctorate from the University of New Hampshire in 1981 and garnered a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Washington. Until joining the University of Illinois-Chicago in 2001, Curry worked at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, and she was also a professor of health services in the School of Public Health and Community Medicine at the University of Washington.
"I think it's a wonderful appointment," Merchant said. "There is a broad consensus she'd be an excellent [choice]."
Curry participated in interviews during the search process, Merchant said, and he also talked to many of her colleagues and others who know her - all of whom gave the positive views of her.
Merchant announced he was stepping down in April 2007.
At her current school, Curry is noted for her cross-campus collaboration on health research and faculty mentoring.
The UI College of Public Health made headlines most recently last summer, when the college voted to decline a $15 million offer contingent upon naming the school after Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. Many were outraged at the school's rejection.
In October 2007, a groundbreaking for the college's new $47.7 million building took place. The school was established in 1999 and consists of five academic departments.
E-mail DI reporter Ashton Shurson at:
ashton-shurson@uiowa.edu
"She is a wonderful researcher and a wonderful leader," UI interim Provost Lola Lopes said.
Curry is also a professor of health policy and administration in the School of Public Health at the University of Illinois. She will start Aug. 1, replacing James Merchant, who will step down July 1 but remain a member of the faculty.
Lopes praised the researcher for her successful record as the director of the institute and her "notable record in the work in reducing the use of tobacco."
Curry, who will be the second dean in the college's history, has a record in tobacco research including studies of motivation to quit smoking, prevention interventions, and the health-care costs associated with smoking cessation.
"I'm really excited," said Mary Aquilino, an assistant dean in the College of Public Health. "She brings a wealth of experience to the UI."
The new dean received a doctorate from the University of New Hampshire in 1981 and garnered a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Washington. Until joining the University of Illinois-Chicago in 2001, Curry worked at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, and she was also a professor of health services in the School of Public Health and Community Medicine at the University of Washington.
"I think it's a wonderful appointment," Merchant said. "There is a broad consensus she'd be an excellent [choice]."
Curry participated in interviews during the search process, Merchant said, and he also talked to many of her colleagues and others who know her - all of whom gave the positive views of her.
Merchant announced he was stepping down in April 2007.
At her current school, Curry is noted for her cross-campus collaboration on health research and faculty mentoring.
The UI College of Public Health made headlines most recently last summer, when the college voted to decline a $15 million offer contingent upon naming the school after Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. Many were outraged at the school's rejection.
In October 2007, a groundbreaking for the college's new $47.7 million building took place. The school was established in 1999 and consists of five academic departments.
E-mail DI reporter Ashton Shurson at:
ashton-shurson@uiowa.edu
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