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Dr. Chen brings more than 20 years of academic leadership experience in the field of public health. In Missouri, he served as the Chair of the Department of Health Sciences at University of Missouri-Columbia, a member of the board of directors for the Missouri Institute for Community Health, and a member of the Health Inclusivity Index Project Steering Committee for The Economist Group’s Economist Intelligence Unit where he worked alongside members from global health organizations, including United Nations and the World Health Organization, and scholars across academia. The steering committee provides strategic guidance for the Economist Impact’s Project Team and its partners to develop a comprehensive health inclusivity and equity index for 40 countries.

In Nebraska, Dr. Chen served as the department chair of Health Services Research and Administration in the College of Public Health at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC). He also oversaw the UNMC Center for Health Policy Analysis and Rural Health Research, served as deputy director of the HRSA-funded Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis and was founding co-director of the RWJF-funded Nebraska Public Health Practice Based Research Network (PBRN). Through the Nebraska Public Health PBRN, Dr. Chen collaborated with state and local health departments across Nebraska on research projects in the areas of workforce development, accreditation readiness, quality improvement, community partnership development, and resource allocation.

A widely published scholar, Dr. Chen has an established track record of scholarly work in the areas of health services and policy research, rural health research, health economics and public health services and systems research. He has published 64 peer-reviewed journal articles, 15 policy briefs, 20 research finding briefs, 34 reports to public health agencies and three book chapters. Over the past 20 years, he has secured or helped secure grants and contracts totaling more than $10.4 million as principal investigator, co-principal investigator, or co-investigator. In his profession, Dr. Chen currently serves as an editorial board member of the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice and served as a former member of the Academy Health’s Education Council. Dr. Chen earned a Ph.D. in Health Policy and Administration from Pennsylvania State University, a Master of Health Services Administration degree from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and a Bachelor of Public Health degree from the National Taiwan University.

Founding Dean Selected for Joint School of Public Health

James Blando, Ph.D., is currently an Associate Professor at 51Ç鱨վ in the Joint School of Public Health, and previously in School of Community and Environmental Health. Prior to his faculty appointment, Dr. Blando was a researcher for 12 years at the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services where he designed and conducted several diverse projects in environmental and occupational health funded by NIOSH, EPA, and CDC. Dr. Blando has evaluated air quality trends and the impact of wildfires on asthma, exposure histories in support of cancer cluster studies, participated in the design and validation of exposure assessment tools, and has served as the principal investigator for studies evaluating protective measures for emergency responders during nuclear power facility accidents and air borne releases, violent assaults in hospital settings, and exposure to lead paint dust among general remodeling home renovation contractors.Ìý Dr. Blando has also conducted inhalation toxicology studies for DuPont that evaluated respiratory hazards in polymer processing facilities. In addition, Dr. Blando also has several years of practical field experience in Industrial Hygiene and has been an industrial hygienist with Exxon-Mobil, Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals, and AT&T Bell Labs (now called Lucent).

Jim Blando received his BS in environmental science from Rutgers University, MS in Industrial Hygiene from Johns Hopkins University, and PhD from the joint program in exposure assessment at Rutgers University.

Ms. Brogan is a public health professional with nearly six years of experience in research and evaluation of public health programs. She has a strong background in project management, survey development, data collection, analysis and report writing and has held research and managerial positions in domestic and international settings. Mrs. Brogan has experience in academic settings, non-profit organizations and government contracting firms. Her experience working in international settings focused on medical education and health workforce development. Ms. Brogan received her BS in Biology from Virginia Commonwealth University and her MPH in Maternal and Child Health from the University of South Florida. She is fluent in German and Spanish, and spends her free time with her family outdoors, cooking, reading, swimming, biking and running.

Jeanné Burno is an experienced professional currently serving as the Interim Executive Assistant to the Dean at the Joint School of Public Health at 51Ç鱨վ. With a strong public health and family therapy foundation, Jeanné is pursuing graduate studies in Marriage and Family Therapy. She is a certified Mental Health First Aider and a member of several professional organizations, including the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), Delta Kappa Honor Society, and the American Public Health Association (APHA). Jeanne's academic and professional journey reflects a deep commitment to promoting mental health, social justice, and holistic family wellness.

Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a M.Ed in Instructional Design from Purdue University. 22 years in Finance positions at 51Ç鱨վ and TCC.ÌýÌý

Stephanie Ewers is the Director of Accreditation for the Joint School of Public Health. She worked for the EVMS/51Ç鱨վ Program in Public Health from 2012 to 2018. She came to 51Ç鱨վ in 2018. She has directed and coordinated multiple accreditation site visits during her time at 51Ç鱨վ. She has a Master’s in Public Health and a Bachelor’s in Human Services Counseling, with a minor in Sociology. Prior to working for Eastern Virginia Medical School, she worked at the Union Mission Ministries. She served as the Day Shelter Manager and the Camp Director for Camp Hope Haven. She has served as an Alzheimer’s Association Health Educator, is currently an American Public Health Association Member and a member of the National Association of Community Health Centers.

Dr. Martin is a tenured Professor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the Joint School of Public Health at 51Ç鱨վ and Norfolk State University. He oversees the academic operations across academic departments and provides oversight for accreditation, supervises student affairs activities, and support faculty affairs. As an academician Dr. Martin has taught undergraduate and graduate students, provided service activities, and conducted health services administration research for over 25 years. His research interests include access to care, financing healthcare services, cost/benefit analysis, and healthcare workforce development. From 2014-2024, Dr. Martin served as Professor, MPH Program Director, and Senior Associate Dean for Administration in the School of Health Professions at Eastern Virginia Medical School. From 2006-2014, he was employed at East Tennessee State University, College of Public Health, as a tenured Associate Professor and MPH Coordinator. Prior to entering academia, Dr. Martin performed strategic planning and new business development in a large, non-profit, tertiary care, teaching hospital. Dr. Martin earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration (1988) and Master of Business Administration (1993) from the University of South Carolina School of Business. He earned his Doctor of Philosophy in Health Services Research and Administration (1996) from the University of South Carolina School of Public Health.Ìý

Amy Matzke-Fawcett is the Director of Strategic Communication and Outreach for the Joint School of Public Health, with over 18 years of experience in journalism, communications, and outreach. Prior to joining the JSPH, she held positions in Norfolk Public Schools and across 51Ç鱨վ’s campus in communications, and has previously worked in magazines and newspapers. Amy has a master’s degree in Lifespan and Digital Communication from 51Ç鱨վ and Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Virginia Tech.

Dr. Mebane facilitates community engagement led by faculty, staff and students, including the promotion of best practices and connections to community partners and resources. She also serves as the Executive Director of the Center for Public Health Initiatives at NSU where she and her team support faculty and student scholarship and provide engagement, workforce development and communications programs. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Science in Public Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as well as a PhD in Health Policy from Harvard University.Ìý

ShirlwinÌýWatkins is the interim Operations Manager for the Joint School of Public Health, with over 16 years of experience in higher education. Prior to the EVMS-51Ç鱨վ integration, she spent nine and a half years at Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS). During that time span she served as the Assistant Director and Technical Support Analysis III for the EVMS Master of Public Health Program. ShirlwinÌýholds a Master’s in Education, specializing in Instructional Design for Online Learning, and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration with a concentration in Computer Information Systems.