The University of Washington’s Department of Health Systems and Population Health (HSPop) is proud to announce the establishment of the Harris-Wasserheit Endowed Professorship in Health Systems and Population Health, made possible through the generous support of Dr. Jeff Harris and Dr. Judy Wasserheit.
This new endowed professorship is designed to enhance the University’s ability to recruit and retain outstanding faculty in the Department, with a preference for those whose research and teaching focus on health promotion—a long-standing priority for both donors.
The inaugural holder of the professorship is Dr. Peggy Hannon, a nationally recognized expert in cancer screening and workplace health promotion. Hannon serves as director of the Health Promotion Research Center and has been a central figure in advancing community-engaged research and mentoring future leaders in public health.
“This professorship is an amazing opportunity,” said Hannon. “I really appreciate Jeff and Judy creating this recognition for faculty in our department. Over the years to come, others who hold the professorship will find creative and impactful ways to make use of this support. For me, it creates an opportunity and a challenge to explore new directions—both new strategies for my current work, and new topics altogether.”
Dr. Jeff Harris, former chair of the department and longtime champion of prevention-focused public health, shared the dual motivation behind the gift. “Planning research is a creative pursuit,” he said. “It can be hard for faculty to make time for creativity when they are busy teaching, leading programs, and carrying out already-funded research. We hope this professorship will buy time for creativity in research. Second, prevention and health promotion are my passion and have been ever since, as a medical student working in Guatemala, I saw Indigenous children dying needlessly of measles because they hadn’t been vaccinated.”
Harris added he’s confident in the first appointee: “I think Megha Ramaswamy, our Chair, made a great choice. Peggy Hannon is a star health promotion researcher, teacher, and director of the Health Promotion Research Center. She has lots of time left in her career. As a full professor, however, administrative responsibilities could easily take up all her time. This professorship will hopefully give her some breathing room to focus on new research.”
Department Chair Megha Ramaswamy emphasized the significance of the gift and the selection of Hannon as its first recipient.
“I am delighted to have an endowment that celebrates health promotion science in the department,” Ramaswamy said. “The Health Promotion Research Center, led by Dr. Hannon, has played such a critical role in meaningful engagement with local communities, mentorship of faculty, staff, and students—many of whom have gone on to do great things. I love that we have an opportunity, thanks to Drs. Harris and Wasserheit, to support a faculty member who can lead work in this area. I also really appreciate the chance to support established faculty, like Dr. Hannon, who move the science enterprise forward and bring people along in the process.”
“Established scientists benefit from time, space, and new energy, just like everyone else,” she added. “I think the impact will be high.”
The Harris-Wasserheit Endowed Professorship ensures lasting support for health promotion science and represents a meaningful investment in the future of public health research and education at the University of Washington.