Introducing the New Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health Sciences
May 27, 2026, marks a significant shift for the University of Rochester Medicine with the establishment of the Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health Sciences. This new department merges the fields of biomedical toxicology and public health, championing advances in scientific discoveries, clinical practices, and policy implementations.
Uniting Expertise for Greater Impact
The creation of this department follows the approval by the University of Rochester Board of Trustees. It will be under the direction of B. Paige Lawrence, PhD, current chair of Environmental Medicine. This initiative coincides with the retirement of Ann Dozier, PhD, former chair of the Department of Public Health Sciences.
David Linehan, MD, CEO of the University of Rochester Medical Center and Dean of the School of Medicine and Dentistry, emphasizes the importance of this merger as it bridges crucial scientific discoveries with impactful community actions. The goal is simply to transition from discovery to action, aiming to reduce harmful environmental exposures, enhance health equity, and influence policies that safeguard public health.
According to Lawrence, today's public-health challenges demand a confluence of rigorous scientific analysis and population-wide strategies. This new department will accelerate the journey from laboratory findings to practical applications for population health, altering health-system dynamics and affecting policy changes. This will also enrich interdisciplinary training at multiple academic levels.
Organizational Structure Designed for Accelerated Discoveries
The new department is structured into three major research divisions: Population Health, Toxicology, and Translational Science and Policy. This strategic organization is intended to facilitate interdisciplinary collaborations among faculty, staff, and students.
The merger brings opportunities for more cohesive teamwork in research, shared facilities, coordinated pilot initiatives, and a boost in proposals that engage with policy. These initiatives are aimed at increasing funding and generating impactful outcomes in the real world.
Students and trainees are set to benefit immensely. They will have access to a more comprehensive curriculum that includes toxicology, epidemiology, policy, and implementation science. In addition, they will experience enriched learning through diverse cross-disciplinary mentoring, along with internships and practicums with community partners and policy offices. Such exposure is essential for developing applied careers and fostering collaborative research.
Tracing Scientific Roots from the Atomic Age to Microplastics Research
The Department of Environmental Medicine boasts a rich history dating back to its origins in the 1940s Atomic Energy Project. Established in its current form in 1992, this department has continuously thrived on interdisciplinary research and innovation. It was home to the first-ever toxicology PhD program in the United States and has a profound legacy of translating scientific developments into actionable public-health measures.
A key player in the department's success is the Environmental Health Sciences Center (EHSC), operational since 1975. This program has initiated crucial research projects with substantial follow-on funding, exemplifying age-long leadership in fighting childhood lead poisoning.
Recent expansions include the formation of the Institute for Human Health and the Environment (IHHE) in 2023, highlighting the University’s commitment to tackling climate change, environmental justice, and health issues comprehensively. In 2024, this endeavor progressed with the foundation of the Lake Ontario MicroPlastics Center (LOMP), in partnership with RIT, focusing on assessing microplastics' environmental and health consequences.
Pioneering Public Health Through Partnerships and Data
The Department of Public Health Sciences, founded in 1958, is renowned for its preventive care strategies and robust health services research. Its early projects, including lead screening initiatives and storefront clinics, underscore a longstanding dedication to health improvement and disparity reduction.
Currently, the department heads numerous studies in areas like behavioral intervention, big data analytics, and global health. These initiatives are supported by major programs such as the Nicotine & Tobacco Research Core, which leverages years of tobacco research, and the PACE Data Analysis Center, committed to enhancing quality in long-term care.
Fostering international collaborations, like the Seychelles Child Development Study, further strengthens the department's research credibility. These global and community-based partnerships backed by federal support aid in groundbreaking scientific breakthroughs and the implementation of effective interventions for varied populations.
Celebrating Ann Dozier’s Transformative Leadership
At the helm of the Department of Public Health Sciences since 2014, Ann Dozier has expanded faculty research capacity and enhanced regional health impact. A University of Rochester alumna with deep expertise in health sciences research and administration, she has prioritized program evaluation and community engagement.
Under Dozier's leadership, the department saw the tripling of research funding, the launch of new educational programs, and the strengthening of academic and community partnerships. Her tenure marked a transformation within Public Health Sciences through her commitment to bringing scientific evidence into practice.
As David Linehan highlights, Dozier's passionate advocacy and vision have positioned the department for sustained national prominence. Her legacy of scholarship, service, and collaborative engagements leaves a lasting impact, benefiting students, faculty, and community partners alike.
출처 : Original Source