Bloom Named Dean of School Of Public Health

Researcher and health policy expert Barry R. Bloom was named the next dean of the School of Public Health, President Neil L. Rudenstine announced on June 11.

A microbiology and immunology professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Manhattan, Bloom brings a scientific perspective to important public health issues, Rudenstine said.

"Behind his many accomplishments lie a devotion to illuminating the fundamental mechanisms of disease and to improving the health of human communities around the world," Rudenstine said in a statement.

Bloom is a major proponent of using current research in crafting health policy decisions to prevent the spread of infectious diseases such as AIDS and tuberculosis.

An active member of numerous health watchdog organizations and a prolific writer, Bloom is also a strong advocate for promoting health in developing countries and reducing health disparities between populations.

Bloom put together a report on world health that is considered a mandate for America taking more international responsibility on health issues, said Provost Harvey V. Fineberg '67.

"It's in America's best interest to...incorporate into our national thinking a form of security that looks beyond military security," Fineberg said.

Bloom's appointment marks the end of a chain of job switching that began a year ago, when former Provost Albert Carnesale left Harvard to become chancellor of the University of California at Los Angeles.

Rudenstine filled Carnesale's position by appointing Fineberg, then dean of the School of Public Health, as provost.

Bloom fills Fineberg's former spot, which for the past academic year has been occupied by James H. Ware, who is also master of Cabot House.

Ware said he was a finalist for the permanent position but would not have been able to continue as master if he had been chosen.

"I feel it's a great outcome," Ware said. "[Bloom] is a wonderful guy, and I really look forward to working with him."

Aside from being chair of his department at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bloom has little administrative experience, Fineberg said.

Bloom said Ware--who will resume his former job as academic dean--will beessential in helping him make the transition.

Unlike most deans of Harvard schools, Bloom wasneither a professor at Harvard nor a dean lower onthe pecking order before he got the job.

Fineberg said this fact is irrelevant. "It'skind of like saying he's the only one with blackhair and they all have brown hair," he said.

Bloom said he took the job not for power orprestige but because he wants to make an impact onthe world.

"I don't have a burning need to be a dean orhave a title or whatever," he said. "I do have aburning need to make a contribution to publichealth."

Bloom is a scholar with far ranging interests,Fineberg said. Had he been a professor at Harvard,Fineberg said Bloom might have taught outside theSchool of Public Health--in the Medical School,for example.

Bloom likened public health to an immunesystem. Both deal with a variety of healthproblems and fight sickness in many ways, he said.

"It is a generator of incredible diversity frombasic science on malaria to health care financingto control and prevention of violence in the cityof Boston and else-where," he said.

Because of his versatility, Bloom is well-suitedto Rudenstine's initiatives to bridge academicdisciplines, Fineberg said.

Bloom envisions working closely with HarvardLaw School, Harvard Medical School and otherUniversity divisions.

"I much prefer a collaborative world view thana fiercely independent one," Bloom said. "I hopethe School of Public Health can contribute to thegeneral climate of Harvard in many ways."

--Alan E. Wirzbicki contributed to thereporting of this article.

Unlike most deans of Harvard schools, Bloom wasneither a professor at Harvard nor a dean lower onthe pecking order before he got the job.

Fineberg said this fact is irrelevant. "It'skind of like saying he's the only one with blackhair and they all have brown hair," he said.

Bloom said he took the job not for power orprestige but because he wants to make an impact onthe world.

"I don't have a burning need to be a dean orhave a title or whatever," he said. "I do have aburning need to make a contribution to publichealth."

Bloom is a scholar with far ranging interests,Fineberg said. Had he been a professor at Harvard,Fineberg said Bloom might have taught outside theSchool of Public Health--in the Medical School,for example.

Bloom likened public health to an immunesystem. Both deal with a variety of healthproblems and fight sickness in many ways, he said.

"It is a generator of incredible diversity frombasic science on malaria to health care financingto control and prevention of violence in the cityof Boston and else-where," he said.

Because of his versatility, Bloom is well-suitedto Rudenstine's initiatives to bridge academicdisciplines, Fineberg said.

Bloom envisions working closely with HarvardLaw School, Harvard Medical School and otherUniversity divisions.

"I much prefer a collaborative world view thana fiercely independent one," Bloom said. "I hopethe School of Public Health can contribute to thegeneral climate of Harvard in many ways."

--Alan E. Wirzbicki contributed to thereporting of this article.