Leading the USF College of Public Health’s MPH global disaster management, humanitarian relief and homeland security (GHH) concentration, Dr. Amber Mehmood joined the college as an associate professor this past February.

“The COPH is an institution that prides itself on its contributions to the community. It’s a place where community partnership is at the core of all its endeavors and you practice what you teach,” Mehmood said on why she chose the COPH. “This is a commitment that all institutions of public health should aspire to.”

With professional experience of more than 20 years, Mehmood has extensive academic, technical and professional expertise in planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating health care programs. She is also a trained surgeon and public health researcher with a special interest in strengthening health systems, implementation science, examining the quality of health services and monitoring and evaluating care interventions.

Mehmood has previously served as associate director of the international injury research unit at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore. There, she led the development and implementation of digital data collection for monitoring and evaluating road injury risk factors for the Bloomberg Initiative on Global Road Safety.

She has also worked closely with the World Health Organization assisting in the promotion of disaster planning and preparedness among Eastern European countries and injury prevention and trauma care as a member of Global Alliance for Care of the Injured.

Mehmood said that she’s excited for the opportunity to surround herself with the COPH’s supportive, collegial and collaborative faculty.

“The potential to leave a mark as the GHH concentration lead in the form of teaching, research and practice is exciting,” she said. “I’m also excited for the core values of our college concerning diversity and inclusion, which are demonstrated in all domains and by the fact that women are leading the college in key positions and roles.”

As the lead for the GHH concentration, Mehmood would like to see the program at the top of all disaster management programs offered nationwide.

“We see our students as the future leaders of GHH science and practice. To ensure our curriculum is up to date, meets the highest standards of knowledge in the field and provides professional development for our students, we need more GHH faculty,” she said. “In addition, I’d like to bring grants and provide students with opportunities to get involved in research alongside of practice.”

Story by Caitlin Keough, USF College of Public Health