Release

School of Public Health Dean Peter Levin Announces Retirement from University at Albany

Contact: Catherine Herman (518) 437-4980

ALBANY, N.Y. (April 20, 2006) -- University at Albany Dean of the School of Public Health Peter J. Levin has announced his retirement from his post effective this summer.

"Peter Levin has been a great champion and advocate for the School of Public Health," said President Kermit L. Hall. "The University as a whole has become better recognized both regionally and nationally because of Peter's hard work, encouragement and outreach efforts. On behalf of our University at Albany community, I thank Peter for his service, and wish him the best in all of his future endeavors."

Dean Levin has worked to raise the profile of the School of Public Health since he arrived on UAlbany's East Campus in 2001. He shaped a dean's office that encouraged faculty to reach out and explore their potential while providing visible and responsive leadership to staff and students alike.

Shortly following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Dean Levin recognized the unique role that schools of public health had to play in preparedness. He led the University's efforts to be designated a regional Center for Public Health Preparedness by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in 2002.

Under Levin's leadership, the School of Public Health has seen a consistent increase in enrollment, expansion of distance learning initiatives and three new joint degree programs through partnerships with Albany Medical College and UAlbany's School of Social Welfare. The Center for Public Health Preparedness sends satellite broadcasts of public health programming to all 50 states and more than 450 sites.

Dr. Mary Applegate, a public health physician specializing in maternal and child health and member of the faculty in the Department of Health Policy, Management, & Behavior will serve as interim dean as the University prepares to conduct a national search for Levin's successor. Dr. Applegate will take a leave of absence from her position as medical director for the Division of Family Health at the New York State Department of Health, overseeing programs in women's health, child & adolescent health, dental health, and American Indian health.

Dr. Applegate currently serves as the Northeast Regent on the American College of Preventive Medicine's Board of Regents, and from 2002 to 2006 served as chair of the ACPM/ATPM Joint Council of Residency Directors and as a member of the Preventive Medicine Leadership Forum.

About the School of Public Health:
Through its partnership with the New York State Dept. of Health, UAlbany's School of Public Health offers students immediate access to internships at the Health Department, Albany Medical College and variety of other public and private health institutions throughout New York State. Students have unique access to study the most profound health issues facing us today: the threat of bioterrorism; the spread of HIV/AIDS and other emerging diseases; the lack of affordable and accessible healthcare for individuals and families; environmental hazards; substance abuse and social violence; maternal mortality in developing countries; the promises and threats of genetic engineering; protecting food and water supplies. For more information, visit the School of Public Health.