News Briefs

Dr. Lawrence Wallack, dean of the College of Urban and Public Affairs at Portland State University, will lecture on public health media advocacy at 4 p.m. Thursday (Sept. 29) on the UNC campus.

Wallack’s lecture, "Talking Public Health; America’s Second Language," will focus on creating new ways to explain and communicate public health issues to the general public and policy-makers. His work draws on linguistic, communication and ethics research findings.

The UNC Predoctoral Tobacco Use Prevention and Control Training Program, based in UNC’s School of Public Health, is hosting the free lecture. The location is the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation Auditorium in the Michael Hooker Research Center.

"We are thrilled and honored to have our School of Public Health host one of the pioneers of public health media advocacy," said Dr. Kurt Ribisl, associate professor of health behavior and health education in the School of Public Health and director of the training program. "Dr. Wallack’s techniques have been widely used to advocate for policies in tobacco control, prevention of alcohol abuse, gun control, toxic waste cleanup, and the promotion of social justice.

A recipient of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Innovator’s Award (2000-05), Wallack is the author of several books on the issue. He also is the founding director of the Berkeley Media Studies Group, dedicated to working with community groups, journalists and public health professionals to advance public health policy through the media.

The UNC Predoctoral Tobacco Use Prevention and Control Training Program is a fellowship provided through a grant from the American Legacy Foundation, a national, independent public health foundation established by the 1998 tobacco settlement, and dedicated to reducing U.S. tobacco use through initiatives that reach out to at-risk populations including youth.

###

Dr. Daniel Clarke-Pearson has been named chairman of the department of obstetrics and gynecology and the Robert A. Ross distinguished professor, both within in UNC’s School of Medicine.

Clarke-Pearson will oversee the seven divisions within the department. Among his areas of focus will be advancing research opportunities among the faculty while ensuring the department’s long-term growth.

Prior to joining UNC, Clarke-Pearson was professor and director of Gynecologic Oncology at Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center. In 2002, he was awarded the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ Roy Pitkin-Elsevier Award for his achievements in the areas of obstetrics and gynecology.

###

UNC’s School of Medicine has selected David B. Anderson to become the new associate dean for advancement and president of The Medical Foundation of North Carolina Inc., effective Oct. 17.

Anderson succeeds James L. Copeland, who is retiring after 15 years. The Medical Foundation is the fund-raising arm for UNC’s School of Medicine and the hospitals that make up UNC Health Care.

Previously, Anderson was associate vice chancellor for university development at North Carolina State University. At N.C. State, Anderson oversaw the university’s $1 billion campaign, which has raised $750 million to date.

Anderson also served as executive director of medical center development at Duke University, and he has held major fund-raising positions at Rice University, the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Virginia.

Founded in 1949, The Medical Foundation of North Carolina Inc. is responsible for encouraging private gift support of programs throughout the School of Medicine and UNC Hospitals.

- 30 -

UNC News Services contact: Deb Saine, (919) 962-8415 or deborah_saine@unc.edu