THE 2005 ASPH/PFIZER AWARD FOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE David Kleinbaum, Ph.D., Emory University Rollins School of Public Health,recognized for Excellence in Teaching by ASPH and Pfizer

Philadelphia, PA – The Association of Schools of Public Health and Pfizer’s U.S. Public Health Group are pleased to honor Dr. David Kleinbaum as the first recipient of the 2005 ASPH/Pfizer Award for Teaching Excellence. Dr. Kleinbaum is a professor of Epidemiology at the Emory University Rollins School of Public Health in Atlanta, GA. He was chosen from among 19 highly qualified nominees. This is the inaugural year of the ASPH/Pfizer Award for Teaching Excellence, an annual honor intended to recognize graduate public health faculty from full ASPH-member, accredited schools of public health who are notable for their teaching excellence.

Dr. Kleinbaum has been a professor of public health for over three decades. In addition to his excellence as an educator, this award recognizes his work in epidemiology and his contributions to the field. Dr. Kleinbaum is the author of the “ActiveEpi” electronic textbook, which many in the field consider to be the definitive text on the basics of epidemiology. This is just one of many texts he has authored on the subject.

“This distinguished award recognizes the importance of teaching and mentoring future leaders if we are to effectively address the public health challenges of our time,” states Dean Stephen Shortell, dean of the University of California at Berkeley School of Public Health and chair of the ASPH Education Committee.

The ASPH/Pfizer Award for Teaching Excellence is sponsored by the Association of Schools of Public Health and Pfizer’s U.S. Public Health Group. It honors faculty in schools of public health who embody the finest qualities of a public health professor, and who serve as mentors to public health leaders of tomorrow. Nineteen honorees were nominated by schools of public health nationwide based on their outstanding teaching contributions, outstanding mentorship of students; and their leadership.

“Public health students learn by exposure to role model professors who are not only scientifically qualified but also exemplify compassion, understanding, and mentorship,” says Dr. Barbara DeBuono, senior medical director, U.S. Public Health, Pfizer Inc. “Dr. Kleinbaum is such a professor.”

Dr. Kleinbaum’s reputation in the classroom is one of intelligence and humor. “He is a truly gifted instructor. In class, he is extremely effective at getting his point across to students, and by using a unique style of humor and wit, he keeps students very interested in what might normally be considered ‘dry’ subject matter,” states Ms. Allison Curry, a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Epidemiology at the Rollins School of Public Health, “I have not come across a teacher thus far who has made more of an impact on me than Dr. Kleinbaum.”

Dr. Samantha Rowe, a guest researcher at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said, “I have known Dr. Kleinbaum for over seven years, and I have grown to respect his enthusiasm for teaching and mentorship, superior knowledge of epidemiologic methods, and dedication to excellence in research.”

In recognition of his accomplishment, Dr. Kleinbaum was presented with a plaque and a $10,000 cash prize. The ceremony was held on Saturday, December 10th at ASPH’s annual reception, held in conjunction with the American Public Health Association’s Annual Meeting. During the presentation, Dr. Kleinbaum was honored by Dean James Curran, chair of ASPH’s Board of Directors and dean of the Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Dean Stephen Shortell, chair of ASPH’s Education Committee and dean of the University of California at Berkeley School of Public Health, and Dr. Barbara DeBuono, senior medical director, U.S. Public Health, Pfizer Inc.

Nominees for the 2005 ASPH/Pfizer Award for Teaching Excellence included: Dr. Lu Ann Aday, University of North Texas Health Science Center School of Public Health; Dr. Earl Cook, Harvard School of Public Health; Dr. Marie Diener-West, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health; Dr. Daniel Gerber, University of Massachusetts School of Public Health and Health Sciences; Dr. Diane Grimley, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health; Dr. Donald Hedeker, University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health; Dr. Mark James, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine; Dr. Thomas Koepsell, University of Washington School of Public Health and Community Medicine; Dr. Joel Lee, University of Kentucky College of Public Health; Dr. David Leith, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Public Health; Dr. Richard Lichtenstein, University of Michigan School of Public Health; Dr. James Ranger-Moore, University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health; Dr. Josef Reum, George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services; Dr. Mark Robson, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey School of Public Health; Dr. Sharon Schwartz, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health; Dr. Lisa Sullivan, Boston University School of Public Health; Dr. Mary Ellen Wewers, Ohio State University School

of Public Health; and Dr. D. Keith Williams, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Dr. Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health.

ASPH is a nonprofit association that represents the 37 accredited schools of public health (SPH) in North America. Accredited schools of public health train the majority of public health professionals. These schools have a combined faculty of over 7,500 and educate more than 19,000 students annually from every state in the U.S. and most countries throughout the world. The schools graduate approximately 6,000 professionals each year.

To assure that medical innovations ultimately improve healthcare for all, the U.S. Public Health Group creates and manages pioneering public-private partnership programs and advances cutting-edge public health research. It is a group of Pfizer Inc, the research-based global pharmaceutical company.