ED TRAPIDO, MSPH, ScM, ScD, FACE
DEAN, LSUHSC SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
2023 marked the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the LSUHSC-NO School of Public Health. Dr. Trapido became Dean in 2024, following his time as Interim Dean. Dr. Trapido is a professor and the Deputy Director for Population Science in the Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center.
Dr. Trapido emphasizes that this is an inflection point for the field of public health. “Public health is undergoing a profound transformation in the wake of the pandemic and amid growing domestic and global challenges—from extreme weather events, access to health care, mental health challenges, technological developments, and the increase in disinformation. In close collaboration with the LSU Health Science Center (LSU Health), the LSU School of Public Health is committed to expanding its capabilities to address population health across its most critical and emerging domains—including those who often face barriers to care, social instability, and disproportionate health risks. Yesterday’s training is no longer sufficient. As we look ahead, our objective is clear: to prepare a new generation of public health leaders who are equipped not only to respond to crises but to shape a more resilient, equitable, and informed future for all communities”.
Public Health at LSU Health Sciences Center has a long and distinguished history in
tropical medicine and other fields of study within the School of Medicine, dating
back to 1931. Its programs were incorporated into the Department of Pathology in the
1980s. It was reactivated as a free-standing Department in 1992. Since then, it has
grown in size and importance through its three-part mission of education, research,
and service.
In 1995, the Department launched its first programmatic initiative in proposing the
MPH degree program in Community/Preventive Medicine, which the Board of Regents subsequently
approved. Enrollment was limited to students pursuing other graduate programs in the
Medical, Dental, Allied Health, Nursing, and Graduate schools of LSUHSC.
In 2003, the Department was reorganized as a School of Public Health. It offered MPH degrees with concentrations in Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Environmental/Occupational Health Sciences in the fall of 2004, as well as a Master of Science in Biostatistics. Concentrations in the MPH degree in Behavioral/Community Health Sciences and Health Policy and Systems Management were added in the fall of 2005. Three PhD programs were established in Biostatistics (2007), Epidemiology (2007), and Community Health (2009).
Currently, we offer a Bachelor of Science in Public Health degree; a Master of Science in Biostatistics and Data Science; and Masters of Public Health degrees in Epidemiology and Population Health; Environmental Health, Climate and Susceptibility; Community Health Science and Policy; and Biostatistics and Data Science. PhDs are offered in Community Health Sciences; Biostatistics, and Epidemiology. In collaboration with the LSU Health School of Graduate Studies, we offer the MD/PhD degree; in conjunction with the School of Medicine, the MD/MPH degree; and with the LSU School of Social Work, the MSW/MPH degree.