Introducing the Department of Population Health Sciences

The Department of Healthcare Policy and Research has changed its name to the Department of Population Health Sciences to address the intersection of research and practice. Led by distinguished health services researcher and leader Dr. Rainu Kaushal, the newly named department aims to improve the health of populations through data-driven research, innovative technology, and novel education programs.

The department will leverage expertise in data science, health services research, health economics and health policy analysis, combined with an increased emphasis on epidemiology to holistically evaluate the drivers that ultimately contribute to population health.  

To support the Department of Population Health Sciences’ refocused and expanded mission, the department has established a new Division of Epidemiology and recruited esteemed cancer epidemiologist Dr. Rulla Tamimi from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health to serve as its chief. In her new role, Dr. Tamimi, who will also serve as associate director for population science at the Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center at Weill Cornell Medicine, will lead a team of epidemiologists to explore the genetic, molecular and lifestyle predictors of health outcomes and disease, with a particular focus on cancer.

Additionally, Dr. Kaushal has appointed accomplished health services researcher Dr. Bruce Schackman as the department’s executive vice chair. In this role, Dr. Schackman will spearhead faculty development and recruitment efforts, educational programs, and facilitate academic success. Dr. Schackman joins Dr. Karla Ballman, vice chair for education and division chief of biostatistics, Dr. Lawrence Casalino, division chief of healthcare policy and economics, Dr. Said Ibrahim, senior associate dean for diversity and inclusion and division chief of healthcare delivery science and innovation, and Dr. Jyotishman Pathak, vice chair for entrepreneurship and division chief of health informatics, on the leadership team.

Population Health Sciences 402 E. 67th St. New York, NY 10065 Phone: (646) 962-8001