by University Communications
September 26th 2023
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Paul Halverson will join the Oregon Health and Science University and Portland State University joint School of Public Health as dean effective Feb 1, 2024.
Halverson is the founding dean and a professor at Indiana University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health in Indianapolis. Before joining Indiana University, he was the state health officer and director for the Arkansas Department of Health and held senior leadership roles at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including as the director of the World Health Organization’s Collaborating Center for Public Health.
“I look forward to joining the excellent faculty and staff of the School of Public Health to continue the important work of our school as we focus on the health of our state and community. I look forward to being part of the Portland community and returning to the west coast,” Halverson said.
“My first priority will be to become immersed in the great work underway and listen to our faculty, staff, community and agency partners. There is so much already going on that I want to better understand and support,” he said. “This is an exciting time for public health in Oregon with substantial new federal funding for infrastructure and preparedness."
Halverson will be the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health’s second dean, following the retirement of founding Dean David Bangsberg’s retirement in 2022. Interim Dean Rick Johnson has been leading the school since July 2022 and will continue to serve in the office until February.
Halverson holds a doctorate in public health from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and a master’s in health services administration from Arizona State University.
“In addition to a distinguished résumé, Dr. Halverson’s work speaks to his dedication to finding lasting solutions to the public health challenges of our time such as food insecurity and racial inequities in healthcare,” said PSU Interim Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs Shelly Chabon. “I look forward to working alongside Halverson as he advances our united efforts with OHSU to cultivate future leaders in the field of public health.”