Thomas A. LaVeist, PhD

Dean, Weatherhead Chair, & Professor

Dean and Weatherhead Presidential Chair in Health Equity
Phone
504.988.5397
Thomas A. LaVeist, Dean and Professor Weatherhead Presidential Chair in Health Equity

Education & Affiliations

Postdoctoral Fellowship, Gerontology and Public Health Policy, University of Michigan
PhD, Medical Sociology, University of Michigan
MA, Sociology, University of Michigan
BA, Sociology, University of Maryland Eastern Shore

Biography

Dr. LaVeist's research and writing has focused on three broad thematic research questions: 1) What are the social and behavioral factors that predict the timing of various related health outcomes (e.g. access and utilization of health services, mortality, entrance into nursing home?); 2) What are the social and behavioral factors that explain race differences in health outcomes?; and 3) What has been the impact of social policy on the health and quality of life of African Americans? His work includes both qualitative and quantitative analysis. LaVeist seeks to develop an orienting framework in the development of policy and interventions to address race disparities in health-related outcomes. Specific areas of expertise include: U.S. health and social policy, the role of race in health research, social factors contributing to mortality, longevity and life expectancy, quantitative and demographic analysis and access, and utilization of health services.

Honors & Awards

  • ICONN Award, Associated Black Charities – 2014
  • National Academy of Medicine (Formally Institute of Medicine – IOM), National Academy of Sciences – Elected (2013)
  • Article of the Year – American Journal of Public Health – 2012
  • F.H.D.R. (Fellow in Health Disparities Research) W. Montague Cobb/National Medical Association Health Institute Senior Fellows, 2012
  • Innovation Award, National Institutes of Health – National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NCMHD), 2008
  • Delta Omega – Honorary Society in Public Health (faculty inductee), Alpha Chapter – Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 2006
  • Knowledge Award, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health, 2006
  • Dean's Lecture, Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health, April 1994
  • Distinguished Alumni Citation, National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO), 1994 Outstanding Young Alumnus Award, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, 1994
  • Keynote Speaker, Randolph Evans Foundation Scholarship Award Banquet, June 1993
  • The Dreamkeeper Award, University of Michigan, Office of Minority Affairs, 1993
  • Brookdale National Fellow, 1991
  • Roberta G. Simmons Dissertation Award, American Sociological Association, Medical Sociology Section, 1989
  • Paul B. Cornely Sr. Fellowship, University of Michigan, School of Public Health, 1988-1990
  • Committee on Institutional Cooperation Fellowship, 1984-1988