Dr. Sameer Vohra Recognized as Leader in Public Health by the de Beaumont Foundation

Springfield, IL – Dr. Sameer Vohra, Founding Chair of SIU School of Medicine Department of Population Science and Policy, was recently recognized by the de Beaumont Foundation as one of the inaugural 40 Under 40 in Public Health. The 40 rising stars of public health were chosen by a panel of judges for their fresh perspectives, creative problem-solving, and innovative health solutions in communities across the country.

“I am honored and humbled to be named a 40 Under 40 in Public Health by the de Beaumont Foundation,” said Dr. Vohra, MD, JD, MA, FAAP. “I’m excited to learn from this influential group of public health leaders and I am especially thankful for the de Beaumont Foundation’s focus on building healthier communities both here in Illinois and throughout the US.”

Under Vohra’s leadership, the Department of Population Science and Policy aims to improve health and wellness in central and southern Illinois by identifying community-based interventions and studying how factors such as poverty, access to healthcare, education and housing affect people living in rural communities. The Department provides a new approach to health care that bridges data, health care delivery and social and environmental determinants of health. The Department of Population Science and Policy also educates medical students on how to incorporate population health principles into their future practice.

“We launched 40 Under 40 to humanize the public health field and show the diversity of the individuals who commit to strengthening the health of our nation’s communities,” said Brian C. Castrucci, DrPH, president and CEO of the de Beaumont Foundation. “Public health is different from healthcare, and by elevating the work and voices of these inspiring leaders, we hope to attract and motivate other professionals to bring creativity and innovation to the future of public health.”

Nomination for 40 Under 40 in Public Health were submitted between November 2018 and February 2019. The nomination pool included job titles ranges from health commissioner and director of health equity to doula and epidemiologist. Each chosen honoree has made significant contributions to their community and the field of public health in their respective areas.

Nominees were evaluated by a distinguished panel of professionals from the nonprofit, business, and higher education sectors on their demonstrated leadership, their contributions to their community’s health, and their collaboration with other organizations in public health and other sectors.

For more information about 40 Under 40 in Public Health, including detailed eligibility and selection criteria, visit debeaumont.org/40Under40.