Center for Reducing Health Disparities names new director

Dejun Su, Ph.D., director of the South Texas Border Health Disparities Center at the University of Texas-Pan American (UTPA), Edinburg, since 2009, is the new director of the UNMC Center for Reducing Health Disparities in the College of Public Health.

Dejun Su, Ph.D.

Dr. Su, who began his new position Oct. 1, has a strong track record in engaging communities with diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds, said Ayman El-Mohandes, M.D., M.B.B.Ch., M.P.H., dean of the College of Public Health, in announcing the appointment.

“He brings tremendous energy and commitment to this important domain of learning and service, in addition to many personal attributes that will allow him to exert wise and collaborative leadership at the center, the college and the community,” Dr. El-Mohandes said.

Glad to join the team

Dr. Su, who also will serve as associate professor in the Department of Health Promotion and Social and Behavioral Health, said he was impressed by the growth and accomplishments of UNMC’s College of Public Health in the past five years.

“It is young, vibrant and on track to becoming one of the renowned public health programs in the nation,” he said. “I am deeply honored that I can be a part of this team and I look forward to working closely with my colleagues to move our agenda forward in the years to come.”

Strong background

Dr. Su has a background of funded research tackling the issue of health disparities among underserved and minority populations.

In the past five years, he and his collaborators have received $3.3 million in funding from:

• Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality;
  
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;
  
• National Cancer Institute; and
  
• The Office of Minority Health.