Russell Appointed to Director of Dual Degree Programs
Heidi Russell, MD, PhD, professor of the Department of Management, Policy, and Community Health, has been appointed Director of the UTHealth Houston School of Public Health's Dual Degree Programs. Dual degrees offer students the opportunity to complete two graduate-level degrees at the same time. The School of Public Health currently offers over 20 dual degree programs in collaboration with numerous institutions across Texas. Russell's new role will be critical in a student's academic journey; currently, over 150 students are enrolled in the various dual degree programs.
As director, Russell will lead the dual academic programs by implementing new approaches to streamline the conferral of student's degrees and continue to advance partnerships with schools across the state. By completing dual degrees, students gain a multidisciplinary approach to public health, combining the public health field with a specific avenue of training, including medicine, law, social work, dentistry, and more. "By enrolling in both, students can have a richer educational experience in both programs and complete both degrees in a shorter time than if they did them separately," said Russell.
A previously trained and practicing physician, Russell earned her medical degree from the University of Alabama School of Medicine, followed by residency and fellowship training at Baylor College of Medicine in the Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology/Oncology, where she later served as faculty. She would later join the School of Public Health to complete her PhD in public health with a concentration in health economics and health services research. After working as a clinician and researcher for over a decade, Russell shifted to public health when she discovered health economics and the opportunities available to improve population health. Russell's professional experience and educational background offers a unique perspective on the versatility of public health and its role in improving population health and reducing health disparities.
"Her commitment to education and her extensive background in both medicine and public health make her an ideal leader for our dual degree programs. Dr. Russell's multidisciplinary approach aligns perfectly with the diverse dual degree offerings in our school," said Eric Boerwinkle, PhD, dean of UTHealth Houston School of Public Health.
"We need people studying the health and well-being of our communities, informing policies to support a healthier Texas, and providing the leadership needed to improve our systems. We take the training of individuals to fill these roles incredibly seriously," said Russell.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, awareness of public health has dramatically increased. More often, incoming students seek to become diverse leaders and prepare for their careers by obtaining graduate public health degrees. Linking public health into other disciplines is critical for students to become well-rounded professionals and face the new health challenges affecting our communities.