PATH announces leader for HIV/TB and health systems programs
PATH has named Dr. Johannes van Dam the leader of its integrated HIV and tuberculosis (TB) and health systems innovation and delivery programs. Dr. van Dam will be based in PATH's Washington, DC office beginning April 25, 2016.
"I am honored to welcome Dr. van Dam to PATH, whose extensive background in public health will be vital to leading our integrated approach to HIV/TB and advancing critical work in health systems," said Dr. David Fleming, vice president of PATH's public health division. "Dr. van Dam has collaborated with governments, national counterparts, donors, and researchers on a wide range of health issues, including HIV/AIDS, infectious and chronic diseases, and reproductive health and family planning. This expertise will be invaluable as PATH leads groundbreaking efforts in health system strengthening and tackling the often dual epidemics of HIV and TB."
Integrated solutions to the world's biggest health challenges
The design of PATH's health system innovation and delivery program reflects the reality that successful health solutions must be crosscutting, reaching across health areas and products to address the world's biggest health challenges. PATH's program targets the three components of the health system–clinical and medical services, community-based services, and the enabling public health policy environment–and extends to all health areas within the organization to develop collaborative solutions. Dr. van Dam's leadership of the health system and delivery portfolio also will include the Access and Delivery Partnership, Better Immunization in Data Initiative, and Global Health Security project.
PATH also takes an integrated approach in addressing the frequent dual burden of HIV and TB. As HIV damages the immune system, other diseases, such as TB, can be especially threatening. PATH is at the forefront of integrated services for HIV and related conditions, providing technical assistance to and improving efficiency of projects worldwide to save more lives.
Lifelong dedication to public health
Dr. van Dam has more than 30 years of experience in public health and operations research, during which he worked across four continents. Most recently, he served as Director of Program Sciences and Technical Support at Family Health International (FHI) 360. In this role, he led a team of 70 researchers and content experts based in Africa, Asia, and the United States in areas ranging from family planning, reproductive health, and HIV/AIDS, to noncommunicable and chronic diseases, other infectious diseases, and systems issues affecting public health.
Previously, Dr. van Dam served as Vice President and Director, Center for Health Solutions, at Futures Group International (now Palladium), where he led an international program with offices in 38 countries that focused on infectious diseases and other public health issues, particularly those affecting low-resource communities. He also has held notable positions at the Population Council, Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS, World Health Organization, and Botswana Ministry of Health, the latter under a Dutch bilateral assistance program.
Dr. van Dam serves on the editorial board of Studies in Family Planning, is a reviewer for the journal AIDS, and he has authored several scientific journal articles and medical textbook content throughout his career. He holds a Master's of Science in Community Health in Developing Countries from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, a Doctor of Medicine and a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Amsterdam, and a Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene from the Royal Tropical Institute, the Netherlands.