New Chairman Appointed to Health Protection Agency Board

4 March 2009

The Health Protection Agency has welcomed the appointment of Dr David Heymann as the new Chairman of its Board, announced today by the Department of Health, succeeding Sir William Stewart, who stands down in April 2009.

Dr Heymann is currently the World Health Organisation's Assistant Director-General for Health Security and Environment and the representative of the Director-General for polio eradication.  Previously, from 1998-2003, he was Executive Director of the WHO Communicable Diseases Cluster and from October 1995 to July 1998 he was Director of the WHO Programme on Emerging and other Communicable Diseases.  Prior to that he was the chief of research activities in the WHO Global Programme on AIDS. 
Sir William said: "I am delighted Dr Heymann has been appointed.  He is an excellent choice with a huge wealth of expertise in the public health protection arena."
Justin McCracken, Chief Executive of the Health Protection Agency said: "We are delighted to learn that our new chairman is to be Dr David Heymann.  His distinguished international career at the cutting edge of public health will be an invaluable asset to the Agency.
"Dr Heymann is joining the Agency at an important point in its development.  The National Institute for Biological Standards and Control will merge with the Agency at the beginning of April and we are also in the process of producing a blueprint for upgrading our Porton centre which will enable us to extend and enhance the range of health protection services we provide nationally."
Before joining WHO, Dr Heymann worked for 13 years as a medical epidemiologist in sub-Saharan Africa on assignment from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  He also worked in India for two years as a medical epidemiologist in the WHO Smallpox Eradication Programme.
In 2004 Dr Heymann received the American Public Health Association Award for Excellence and was named to the United States Institute of Medicine.  In 2005 he was awarded a Welling Professorship at the George Washington University School of Public Health and the 2005 Donald Mackay medal by the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. 
The Agency's Board establishes the overall strategic direction of the Health Protection Agency and has corporate responsibility for ensuring the Agency fulfils its aims and objectives.
Notes to Editors
1.  All non-executive appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees' political activity (if any declared) to be made public.

2.  The appointment has been made by the Appointments Commission in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments' Code of Practice.

3.  Dr Heymann will receive £60,000 per annum.  He has no political affiliations and holds no other ministerial appointments.

4.  For more information about the HPA Board, go to:  http://www.hpa.org.uk/board

5.  The Health Protection Agency is an independent UK organisation that was set up by the government in 2003 to protect the public from threats to their health from infectious diseases and environmental hazards.

It does this by providing advice and information to the general public, to health professionals such as doctors and nurses, and to national and local government.

The Agency identifies and responds to health hazards and emergencies caused by infectious disease, hazardous chemicals, poisons or radiation. It gives advice to the public on how to stay healthy and avoid health hazards, provides data and information to government to help inform its decision making, and advises people working in healthcare. It also makes sure the nation is ready for future threats to health that could happen naturally, accidentally or deliberately.

The Agency combines public health and scientific knowledge, research and emergency planning within one organisation - and works at international, national, regional and local levels. It also supports and advises other organisations that play a part in protecting health.

The Agency's advice, information and services are underpinned by evidence-based research. It also uses its research to develop new vaccines and treatments that directly help patients.
6.  For further enquiries please contact the Health Protection Agency press office on 020 8327 7098/7097/6690/6055.

 

Last reviewed: 4 March 2009