Dr. Gretchen Clum to lead Tulane public health DrPH program

Dean Thomas LaVeist announced today that Dr. Gretchen Clum will become the program director for the school’s in-demand Doctor of Public Health in Leadership, Advocacy, and Equity program. Clum, who already holds an associate dean role, will also see a change in her title to become associate dean for academic programs.

The DrPH program was launched in 2022 and has enrolled at capacity each semester the program has been offered. This practice-based program is taught online and was designed with working professionals in mind. Students take only one concentrated course at a time, and the program serves students both within and beyond the public health sphere. With its focus on equity, advocacy, and leadership, it is a unique offering compared to peer schools and prepares students for leadership roles in non-profit, entrepreneurial, and social change settings.

Dr. Susan Cheng, who has served as director of the program since it launched, will now focus her attention on her primary role as associate dean for public health practice. She is an associate professor in the Department of Social, Behavioral, and Population Sciences.

“The countless hours and tremendous skill she gives to the program has brought about [the program’s] success,” said LaVeist in his announcement. “I believe that it is time to let her focus on the vital role of bridging the gap between academia and real-world public health practice.”

Clum has been on faculty for close to 20 years and also serves as an associate professor in the Department of Social, Behavioral, and Population Sciences. In her new role, she will “continue to shepherd this innovative program and serve as a resource to our eager and ambitious DrPH students,” said LaVeist.

She will also focus on the school’s full catalog of online programs, which have been growing since 2019, and will continue to grow program pipelines and partnerships, which was part of her role as associate dean for strategic initiatives.

“I believe these changes will be beneficial for the DrPH program,” LaVeist said, “giving students an administrator whose sole focus is in the online academic space at the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.”

The changes in leadership became effective immediately upon announcement.