As an internationally recognized expert on issues related to inequality and health, Thomas LaVeist, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Health Policy and Management George Washington University’s (GW) Milken Institute School of Public Health (Milken Institute SPH), is a highly sought after lecturer. When he speaks at his home institution, the talks are invariably well attended. He also makes time in his busy schedule to support causes that he values, including the school’s Black Public Health Student Network.
“Since arriving at the Milken Institute SPH two years ago, Dr. LaVeist has supported the Black Public Health Student Network in many ways,” says Michael Wallace. In addition to serving as the president of the BPHSN, he is in the school’s Community Oriented Primary Care MPH program and works in the school’s Department of Prevention and Community Health. LaVeist regularly attends the organization’s meetings and mentors many of its members. He even secured funding to provide a breakfast and lunch at the 9th Annual Communities of Color Conference that the organization recently held.
LaVeist gave the Distinguished Chair Address at the conference, “Our Minds Matter: Inspiring Innovation and Connectivity in Community Oriented Behavioral Health.” He is widely know for research that both investigates and illuminates the disparities in the rates of mortality and diseases between black people and members of other ethnic and minority groups and white people. The many reasons to investigate and address these health disparities that he shared in his talk include the fact that they are very expensive. A decade ago, he published groundbreaking research which calculated that health disparities cost the U.S. alone $124 trillion.
After the speech, the members of the association surprised LaVeist by giving him their first Distinguished Chair award. The award recognizes the support and mentorship that Dr. LaVeist has provided to the organization. “Dr. LaVeist upholds our tenets of leadership, community, and excellence,” Wallace says.
"The Black Public Health Student Network put on a very timely and informative conference, and I am honored by this award,” LaVeist says. “I am committed to supporting the Milken Institute School of Public Health's students, and I also meet regularly with groups including the school’s Public Health Student Association, the Health Policy Student Association and GW’s AcademyHealth student chapter.”
The above photo shows Professor Thomas LaVeist (center, holding award) next to Milken Institute SPH Associate Dean Pierre Vigilance, who is a faculty advisor for the group, and Wallace with other members of the Black Public Health Student Network.