Dear SPH Community,
I write today to share some important news. I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Megan Ranney, MD, MPH, FACEP, as the School’s inaugural Academic Dean, effective December 2021. Reporting directly to the Dean, she will serve as the chief academic officer of the School, a thought partner to me, and a key member of the leadership team. She will work in partnership with Department Chairs and Center Directors to carry out our shared vision for the School and represent SPH in critical moments both within and beyond the University, including working with Advancement in meetings with supporters and meeting with key senior leaders across Brown.
As chief academic officer of the School, Professor Ranney will work in partnership with Associate Deans Melissa Clark and Jennifer Tidey, as well as with Director of Community Engagement Kim Gans. She will collaborate with them to help oversee the School’s educational efforts, research enterprise, community engagement, and faculty recruitment, development, evaluation, retention, and promotion. She will also partner with the rest of the Deans, including Interim Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion Ronald Aubert, Executive Dean of Finance and Administration Sara Walsh, and Vice Dean of Advancement Benjamin Zoll, to help us realize our School-wide goals.
Professor Ranney initially joined the School’s leadership as Associate Dean for Strategy and Innovation earlier this year, providing expertise to help develop our expanding portfolio strategy and further connect our School within the University. In taking on this new, elevated position, she will bring her tremendous experience and ability to bear on all key strategic decisions for the School.
As part of this new position, Professor Ranney will also be appointed Professor of Behavioral and Social Sciences, continuing to serve as an educator, researcher, and mentor to so many at Brown.
Please join me in congratulating Professor Ranney on her new role. I am excited to partner with her, and I know she will be an extraordinary asset to our School and University as a leader in public health.
Kind regards,
Ashish K. Jha, MD, MPH
Dean, School of Public Health
Professor of Health Services, Policy & Practice