Former Health Policy Counsel to Senator Connie Mack Appointed New Dean at UAlbany School of Public Health

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University at Albany President Karen Hitchcock announced today the appointment of Peter J. Levin, Sc.D., as Dean of the University at Albany School of Public Health.

Levin was the health policy counsel to U.S. Senator Connie Mack of Florida from January of 1997 until Mack's retirement this year. In that post he was active in helping Senator Mack shape Medicare legislation at the Senate Finance Committee, support activities focused on finding a cure for cancer, sponsor legislation to advance science and promote increased funding for biomedical research.

"Dr. Levin brings outstanding credentials to our School of Public Health and I am absolutely delighted that he has accepted this appointment," said President Hitchcock. "His distinguished career as a national health policy advisor, a former dean at two schools of public health and as a teaching hospital CEO positions him extraordinarily well to lead our faculty and students in addressing the most challenging health issues of our day."

Levin succeeds David O. Carpenter, founding dean of the School of Public Health, who served in the post from 1985 until his retirement from that post in 1998. Environmental health expert John Conway and professor of public policy Jeryl Mumpower served as interim deans until Levin's appointment.

Before joining Senator Mack's staff, Levin was founding dean of the College of Public Health at the University of South Florida from 1984-1994. Under his guidance, the college became fully accredited in a record three years and enrollment grew to 600 students. Prior to taking the South Florida post, Levin was dean of the College of Public Health at the Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma.

"I am pleased to accept this appointment to join such a dynamic and successful University," said Levin. "The linkage of the School with the distinguished New York State Department of Health allows for academic and service co-operation found nowhere else in the country. The combination of a motivated faculty, bright and committed students and the resources of the Capital Region permits the School to effectively and energetically address the public health needs of the state and nation."

"It is an honor to welcome Dr. Levin to the State University of New York," said SUNY Chancellor Robert King. "We are very enthusiastic about his arrival and I am delighted that the University at Albany's School of Public Health will now be the recipient of his skilled leadership."

"Chancellor King played a key role in helping the University of Albany recruit such a proven leader in the field of public health," says UAlbany President Karen Hitchcock. "We are grateful for his support and commitment in advancing the mission of this fine institution."

Levin entered the academic arena from a distinguished career in hospital administration. He served as Executive Director of the Stanford University Medical Center and as chief operating officer of the 1,200-bed Bronx Municipal Hospital Center at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

During New York City's fiscal crisis of the mid-1970s, Levin served as associate commissioner of health for program analysis and planning in the New York City Department of Health.

He holds a doctor of science degree in medical care and hospitals from Johns Hopkins, a master of public health in hospital administration from Yale and his bachelors' degree from Harvard. He served his administrative residency at Montefiore Hospital in New York City and was a U.S. Public Health Service officer on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.

State Health Commissioner Antonia C. Novello M.D., M.P.H., Dr. P.H., said, "I want to congratulate Peter Levin on his appointment as the new Dean of the School of Public Health at the University at Albany. Peter has a long history in Washington and has served as Dean for other public health schools. He brings with him the experience and expertise that we expect in New York and we look forward to working with him on issues that affect the health of all New Yorkers."

The University at Albany School of Public Health is the only school of public health in the State University system and is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health. It enjoys a unique partnership with the New York State Department of Health, and an affiliation with the Albany Medical College. The School of Public Health is located on the University's East Campus in the Edward S. and Frances Gildea George Education Center.

For more University at Albany information, visit our World Wide Web site at http://www.Albany.edu.

June 12, 2001

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