David L. Heymann
Encyclopedia
David L. Heymann, MD was appointed Chairman of the Board of the UK Health Protection Agency
(HPA) in April 2009. Prior to this, Dr. Heymann was the World Health Organization
's (WHO) Assistant Director-General for Health Security and Environment and the representative of the Director-General for Polio eradication. Previously, from 1998–2003, he was Executive Director of the WHO Communicable Diseases Cluster and from October 1995 to July 1998 he was Director of the WHO Programme on Emerging and other Communicable Diseases. Prior to this, he was the chief of research activities in the WHO Global Programme on AIDS.
Dr. Heymann is also chairman of Strategic Advisory Group of Hilleman Laboratories.
Before joining WHO, Dr. Heymann worked for 13 years as a medical epidemiologist in sub-Saharan Africa on assignment from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). He also worked in India for two years as a medical epidemiologist in the WHO Smallpox Eradication Programme, where smallpox was eradicated in 1978. Dr. Heymann also took an active role in the first Ebola
outbreak in 1976, and led the response team during the 1995 Kikwit outbreak. In 2003, David Heymann was at the forefront of the SARS epidemic, working with his team to mediate international effort to halt the pandemic.
For his work in public health, Dr. Heymann is regarded as one of the "Disease Cowboys".
Dr. Heymann has also served as editor of the 18th and 19th editions of the Control of Communicable Diseases Manual
, an official report of the American Public Health Association
.
and later obtained an MD from Wake Forest University
School of Medicine. He also received a Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Dr. Heymann did two years of practical epidemiology training with the Epidemic Intelligence Service
(EIS).
Health Protection Agency
The Health Protection Agency, or, in Welsh, Yr Asiantaeth Diogelu Iechyd is a statutory corporation. It is an independent UK organisation that was set up by the government in 2003 to protect the public from threats to their health from infectious diseases and environmental hazards...
(HPA) in April 2009. Prior to this, Dr. Heymann was the World Health Organization
World Health Organization
The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health. Established on 7 April 1948, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the agency inherited the mandate and resources of its predecessor, the Health...
's (WHO) Assistant Director-General for Health Security and Environment and the representative of the Director-General for Polio eradication. Previously, from 1998–2003, he was Executive Director of the WHO Communicable Diseases Cluster and from October 1995 to July 1998 he was Director of the WHO Programme on Emerging and other Communicable Diseases. Prior to this, he was the chief of research activities in the WHO Global Programme on AIDS.
Dr. Heymann is also chairman of Strategic Advisory Group of Hilleman Laboratories.
Before joining WHO, Dr. Heymann worked for 13 years as a medical epidemiologist in sub-Saharan Africa on assignment from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). He also worked in India for two years as a medical epidemiologist in the WHO Smallpox Eradication Programme, where smallpox was eradicated in 1978. Dr. Heymann also took an active role in the first Ebola
Ebola
Ebola virus disease is the name for the human disease which may be caused by any of the four known ebolaviruses. These four viruses are: Bundibugyo virus , Ebola virus , Sudan virus , and Taï Forest virus...
outbreak in 1976, and led the response team during the 1995 Kikwit outbreak. In 2003, David Heymann was at the forefront of the SARS epidemic, working with his team to mediate international effort to halt the pandemic.
For his work in public health, Dr. Heymann is regarded as one of the "Disease Cowboys".
Dr. Heymann has also served as editor of the 18th and 19th editions of the Control of Communicable Diseases Manual
Control of Communicable Diseases Manual
The Control of Communicable Diseases Manual is one of the most widely recognized reference volumes on the topic of infectious diseases. It is useful for physicians, epidemiologists, global travelers, emergency volunteers and all who have dealt with or might have to deal with public health...
, an official report of the American Public Health Association
American Public Health Association
The American Public Health Association is Washington, D.C.-based professional organization for public health professionals in the United States. Founded in 1872 by Dr. Stephen Smith, APHA has more than 30,000 members worldwide...
.
Education
Dr. Heymann received his Bachelor of Arts from Pennsylvania State UniversityPennsylvania State University
The Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU, is a public research university with campuses and facilities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has a threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service...
and later obtained an MD from Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University is a private, coeducational university in the U.S. state of North Carolina, founded in 1834. The university received its name from its original location in Wake Forest, north of Raleigh, North Carolina, the state capital. The Reynolda Campus, the university's main campus, is...
School of Medicine. He also received a Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Dr. Heymann did two years of practical epidemiology training with the Epidemic Intelligence Service
Epidemic Intelligence Service
The Epidemic Intelligence Service is a program of the United States' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Established in 1951, due to biological warfare concerns arising from the Korean War, it has become a hands-on two-year postgraduate training program in epidemiology, with a focus on...
(EIS).
Awards
- The 13th Annual Heinz AwardHeinz AwardThe Heinz Award is an award currently given annually to ten honorees by the Heinz Family Foundation. The Heinz Awards recognize outstanding individuals for their contributions in the five areas of: Arts and Humanities, the Environment, the Human Condition, Public Policy, and Technology, the Economy...
for the Human Condition - Welling Professorship at the George Washington University School of Public Health
- Donald Mackay medal by the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
- American Public Health Association Award for Excellence
- Named to the United States Institute of Medicine
- Named Commander of The Order of The British Empire