Two Updates from the Dean's Office

Dear Colleagues,

I am writing to update you on two changes in the Dean’s Office.

First, I am pleased to announce that Joshua Sharfstein, MD has been promoted to Vice Dean for Public Health Practice and Community Engagement in recognition of his expanding role as Director of the Bloomberg American Health Initiative and his ongoing leadership at the School in promoting excellence in public health practice. Over the last five months I have come to rely on Josh as a critical partner as we expand the School’s impact both here in Baltimore and across the nation. I look forward to working with him closely in assuring the success of the Initiative and beyond.

Second, Katherine Parris Frey, PhD, MPH, RN will assume a part-time position as Assistant Dean for Strategic Initiatives. Katherine is currently an Assistant Scientist in the Department of Health Policy and Management and Associate Director for the Major Extremity Trauma Research Consortium (METRC). I have worked with Katherine for several years and have come to appreciate her valuable contributions as a critical thinker, a thoughtful analyst, an outstanding project manager and an excellent writer. These qualities, combined with her overriding commitment to the public’s health, will serve her well in this new role. Katherine received an undergraduate degree in Biochemistry from the University of Virginia before spending two years in Gabon as a community health volunteer with the Peace Corps. She returned to the U.S. to pursue an MPH from the Bloomberg School (2000), after which she began a career in academic research. She subsequently received a Master’s degree in Nursing from the University of Maryland (2010) and spent 18 months working in the hospital setting, bringing a clinical perspective to her research. Following her return to full-time research, her engagement in the execution of clinical trials sparked an academic interest in implementation science, and she completed a doctoral degree from the University of Maryland School of Nursing in 2017. Katherine will continue her role in METRC at 50% effort. As Assistant Dean, she will begin by coordinating the development of the strategic plan and facilitate new initiatives that emerge from the plan.

Please join me in welcoming Katherine and congratulating Josh … I look forward to working with them both in the months and years to come.

My best,

Ellen J. MacKenzie, PhD ’79, MSc ’75

Bloomberg Distinguished Professor
Dean
Bloomberg School of Public Health
The Johns Hopkins University