Dear SPH Community,

I am pleased to announce that Francesca Beaudoin M.D., M.S., Ph.D. will assume the role of academic dean in the School of Public Health on a more permanent basis as of January 1, 2024. 

As you are aware, Francesca began serving as academic dean in an interim capacity in September of this year. Over the ensuing months, she has demonstrated a remarkable capacity for school-wide leadership as our chief academic officer, even as she has continued to shoulder her responsibilities as chair of the Department of Epidemiology. 

I’ve greatly enjoyed working with Francesca and have been impressed with her ability to partner with the school’s many stakeholders and collaborate with other senior leaders across the University. I am grateful for her willingness to step fully into the academic dean role and look forward to working with her to support our faculty and students. 

Given the scope and demands of the academic dean position, Dr. Beaudoin will be stepping down from her role as chair of epidemiology, which she has held since July 2021. Francesca and I will work with the department to navigate this transition in leadership.

I am personally thrilled that Francesca has agreed to take on this role. Please join me in congratulating her on this appointment.

Sincerely, 

Ashish K. Jha, M.D., MPH
Dean, School of Public Health