Pinaki Panigrahi, M.D., Ph.D., an internationally recognized global health expert, has been named director of the UNMC College of Public Health’s Center for Global Health and Development.
The center received approval from the University of Nebraska Board of Regents in April.
Below, Dr. Panigrahi shares his views on the importance of global health and how UNMC students and faculty will benefit from the new center.
Why is it important for UNMC to start a global health center?
 |
Pinaki Panigrahi, M.D., Ph.D. |
How will the new center help students and faculty at UNMC?
Malaria is no longer a disease of the tropics. Obesity, hypertension and diabetes are in epidemic proportions in developing countries such as India. You are lucky to see one case of rickets during your four year of medical schooling in the U.S. If you are in United Arab Emirates, you may see a dozen every week. The center will provide the necessary platforms to UNMC students and faculty to become well-rounded and better prepared health professionals.
What are some of the goals of CGHAD?
We want to build partnerships with multiple institutions around the world (including the U.S.) that have the ability and willingness to learn, teach and serve in areas of medical and behavioral sciences. We will first identify centers in strategic geographic locations that share the common vision. We will then try to bring expertise of value to our partners. This will build mutual trust and help our long term mission in staying a leader as we continue our pursuits to improving health of all people.
List three things people may not know about you:
- I spent more than a quarter century in the Baltimore-Washington area.
- As a child, I used the airport runway in Bhubaneswar — the capital city of Orissa State — for my first bike ride. The runway was fairly inactive as only a few propeller planes would use it periodically.
- I was a President’s scout — the equivalent of an Eagle Scout in my country.