University Times

Noble Maseru

The Center for Health Equity in the Graduate School of Public Health has named Noble A-W Maseru as its new director and associate dean for diversity. He also joins Pitt Public Health’s faculty as a professor of public health practice in the Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences.

Maseru is experienced in diversity-related public health issues, most recently having served as health commissioner for the City of Cincinnati Health Department for more than a decade.

“Dr. Maseru devoted his energies to achieving a healthier Cincinnati through establishing strategic partnerships with numerous public, private and grassroots agencies, with the overall goal of elevating the department’s health equity impact on Cincinnati — particularly in vulnerable and underserved populations,” said Donald S. Burke, dean of Pitt Public Health. “We are delighted to have him join our faculty and bring his expertise to Pittsburgh.”

Pitt Public Health’s Center for Health Equity was established in 2011 with a mission of reducing premature mortality rates among disadvantaged populations in southwestern Pennsylvania by understanding and decreasing health disparities in underserved populations throughout the region.

“The University of Pittsburgh Center for Health Equity is taking initiative to reduce excess mortality and decrease violence while educating and engaging the community,” said Maseru. “I am excited to pursue my goal of promoting diversity initiatives at a center that is an excellent resource to the community.”

Prior to joining the City of Cincinnati Health Department, Maseru served as the health director and health officer of the Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Promotion and is the founding director of the Morehouse School of Medicine’s Master of Public Health Program, the first accredited Council on Education of Public Health Master of Public Health Program at a historically black college or university. He earned his PhD in health policy at Clark Atlanta University and his MPH at Emory University. Additionally, he engages in social justice advocacy and philanthropy efforts for the Walter Rodney Foundation.

Contact:
Matthew G. Borkowski, mattborkowski@pitt.edu, 412-624-6325