New SPH Dean Fineberg Brings Broad Expertise

"It is a strength of Harvey Fineberg's that he is more diverse than most," President Bok said yesterday of the next dean of the School of Public Health (SPH).

Bok announced his appointment of Professor of Health Policy and Management Harvey V Fineberg '67 yesterday, ending a 10-month search for the successor to Dean Howard H Hiatt '44 who will resign June 30

Praised for his wide-ranging experience in research and in public policy-- in which he holds both masters and doctorate degrees from the Kennedy School of Government--Fineberg said to an interview yesterday that he hopes "to emphasize the multi-disciplinary approach to complicated health issues." He added that he will take advantage of "the richness of opportunity" at the school (See accompanying story.)

The search for a new dean was reportedly delayed because at least three candidates, two from outside the University, turned down offers of the position. Bok had said last summer that he hoped to have an appointment by the beginning of this year.

The other candidates reportedly included Dr. William H. Foege, the director of Atlanta's Centers for Disease Control, Professor of Medicine John R David, and Dr John Evans, a former professor at the University of Toronto and now an official at the World Health Organization in Canada

David and Evans could not be reached for comment yesterday. Although Foege refused to discuss whether or not he declined the position, he said he approved highly of Fineberg's appointment.

Although Fineberg would not discuss how long he has been considering the offer, or whether he was on the original list of candidates, he said he had submitted a list of recommendations to Bok, as had many SPH faculty and officials from other schools.

"I was not on my own list, though," Fineberg added.