David Peters to Lead Renowned International Health Department

David Peters, MD, DrPH, MPH, an expert in the study of health systems, has been appointed chair of the Department of International Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Peters’ research focuses on improving health systems performance, particularly for the poor in low-income countries, and solving policy issues that affect many aspects of public health. He will assume his new duties on May 1.

A native of Canada, Peters attended the University of Winnipeg and received his Bachelor of Science and earned his medical degree from the University of Manitoba. He first came to Johns Hopkins in 1993 as a resident in general preventive medicine and to receive his Master of Public Health and Doctor of Public Health degrees. Peters then joined the World Bank. In 2002, he returned to Bloomberg School of Public Health faculty while continuing to have responsibilities at the World Bank. In 2009, he assumed leadership of the Bloomberg School’s Health Systems Program and became associate chair of the Department of International Health.

Peters succeeds Robert Black, MD, who has chaired the Department of International Health since 1985. Black will remain with Bloomberg School of Public Health as director of the Institute for International Programs (IIP), which works with governments in low-income countries to improve maternal and child health and nutrition. The IIP generates research to design and implement programs to improve public health.

“I want to recognize and thank Bob Black for his many years of leadership and stewardship of the Department of International Health. Bob’s accomplishments and abilities are respected both here and around the globe. He has been a wonderful colleague and adviser, and I look forward to continue to benefit from his presence in our School,” said Klag.

Peters was selected by a search committee chaired by Thomas Quinn, MD, professor and director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Global Health.

The Bloomberg School’s Department of International Health seeks to understand health problems and develop means of disease reduction and health protection in underserved populations around the world. Established over 50 years ago, it was the first academic department of its kind, which created the academic discipline of public health. Faculty and student researchers are leading initiatives to improve cost-effective health care delivery; design health interventions for disadvantaged communities; develop new vaccines; and find new methods to assess nutritional satus and treat nutritional diseases.

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health media contact: Tim Parsons at 410-955-7619 or tmparson@jhsph.edu.