TAMPA, FL (24 August 2004) – The University of South Florida has appointed Donna J. Petersen, MHS, ScD, as the new dean of the College of Public Health. Dr. Petersen joins USF from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where she is a full professor and former senior associate dean and known as an innovator in the area of public health education and a leader in the fields of health policy and maternal and child health. She will begin October 31.   "Donna Petersen understands the need for leadership in building the next generation of public  health and health care professionals in America, and that's exactly USF's "Donna Petersen understands the

need for leadership in building the next generation of public health and health care professionals in America,  and that's exactly USF's vision for our College of Public Health," said USF President Judy Genshaft, PhD. "We have found a great leader for a great college."

Dr. Petersen was appointed by President Genshaft and Robert Belsole, MD, USF's interim vice president for health sciences.

"After a thorough national search, we found a terrific candidate in Donna Petersen," Dr. Belsole said. "We'll benefit from her energy and from her national reputation and I'm delighted to welcome her to USF."

The USF Health Sciences Center encompasses its colleges of public health, nursing and medicine. In September, Stephen Klasko, MD, MBA, will become the permanent Vice President for Health Sciences.

The College of Public Health has quickly increased its research funding, which totaled $25.19 million in grants during the last fiscal year. USF's College of Public Health was the first in Florida, and is the only to offer doctoral degrees. Its faculty run research centers aimed at improving maternal and child health, biodefense, disease tracking and prevention, the environment, global health, as well as workplace and patient safety, domestic violence and others. In May, the college was fully re-accredited for seven years.

"It is a major coup to bring Donna Petersen to USF," Dr. Klasko said. "Her expertise spans all three colleges of USF's Health Sciences Center, and she will help us to build a powerful center of excellence for the health of women and children."

At UAB, Dr. Petersen served as the Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Research of the School of Public Health. Her research and teaching have focused on leadership and advocacy for women and children, including all aspects of the health care system. She has current grant funding of almost $2 million in research awards.

She earned her Doctor of Science degree in 1989 from The Johns Hopkins University, where she also received her Master of Health Science degree. Her Bachelor of Arts degree is from Drew University.

By Fall 2005, Dr. Petersen will be joined by her husband, Greg R. Alexander, MPH, ScD, Chair of the Department of Maternal and Child Health at UAB, and one of the country's most recognized experts in the field of perinatal epidemiology. He will be a professor in USF's Department of Pediatrics.