Title:Global Health Expert Returns to Georgetown

This summer, the university welcomed returning global health expert and double-Hoya Mark Dybul, MD, to co-direct the new Center for Global Health and Quality (GHQ) at Georgetown University Medical Center.

“We are experiencing a remarkable period of rapid geopolitical and economic change in the world,” says Dybul. “As a result, this is a critical time in global health, but we are in a position where if we are careful, smart, and strategic, we can take hold of a tremendous opportunity and make great progress.”

The mission of the GHQ is to work with partners to respond to current and emerging health challenges and bring quality services to scale while maximizing resources. The center will bring together top critical thinkers in academia to collaborate on developing and deploying strategies, explains Dybul.

“By supporting countries as they tackle major health challenges, we also contribute to economic growth and development,” he adds. “We can achieve our Georgetown mission of cura personalis by taking care of global communities.”

GHQ is a multi-disciplinary enterprise that leverages the leading minds in global health, health care, big data, service delivery, economics, program design, international relations, law, and management. The center will examine the ways in which data—such as quality metrics and private sector information— can complement existing health metrics. Its wide-ranging areas of focus will be developed in partnership with countries and other stakeholders.

Dybul began his work in HIV research as a fellow at the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases. He went on to lead the International Prevention of Mother and Child HIV initiative for the Department of Health and Human Services. In 2009, he returned to Georgetown to serve as co-director of the Global Health Law Program at the O’Neill Institute. He left to serve as executive director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in 2013.

“We are excited about the new energy, experience, and leadership Dybul brings to Georgetown,” says Edward B. Healton, MD, MPH, executive vice president for health sciences and executive dean of the School of Medicine. “Mark joins a strong and dedicated cohort of Georgetown faculty who have devoted their careers to global health.”