Alumni Profile
Dr. Kenneth Bridbord: Supporting the Next Generation of Public Health Leaders
By Jessica Beaman, MS1
Dr. Bridbord is honored in 2007 at the NIH World AIDS Day (right)
At First glance, the pathway that Kenneth Bridbord, MD ’69, MPH took toward his current position as Director of the Division of International Training and Research for the Fogarty International Center at the NIH appears to be anything but traditional. Dr. Bridbord came to the field of medicine with a background in chemical engineering. As he began his medical studies at the University of Chicago he was highly aware of the way in which the school supported the breadth of his interests. Instead of urging him to focus solely on the clinical aspect of medicine, the University gave him the personal attention he needed to foster an interest in population-based medicine and social justice issues. During his time as a student, he was a key leader in the health care reform effort at the 1968 Democratic Convention and was involved in the civil rights movement.
Following graduation, Dr. Bridbord completed his internship in Pediatrics at Bellevue Hospital/New York University and pursued his continued interest in health prevention as he went on to receive his MPH from the Harvard School of Public Health. For the past 38 years, he has worked for the United States government and is committed to expanding research capabilities in low- and middle-income countries by providing research training to create and support public health leaders. In 2007, he received the NIH World AIDS Day award for his efforts to build a cadre of international research scientists and clinicians trained to join the global AIDS fight. He sees the University of Chicago as integral to his decision to pursue a career that has merged the fields of academia, public service, and global health.
“As I look back on things, I am more and more appreciative of having had the opportunity to be at U of C in such a supportive and understanding environment,” said Dr. Bridbord.
Dr. Bridbord is well known for his efforts to identify health risks, such as lead in gasoline. He played a central role in the initial Federal health-based regulation to remove lead from gasoline. He was honored for this work with an EPA Silver Medal in 1975. He recalls that he was able to take an innovative approach to this issue thanks to his experience at U of C where he was able to meet researchers dedicated to scientific discovery and “was imprinted with the idea that the academic community not only has research knowledge but more importantly has a willingness to share their research with the greater community.”
As Dr. Bridbord prepares to return to Chicago this summer, he is amazed by how much things have changed
“Students are going to school at an amazing time when there is a heightened awareness and desire to engage in your role as a citizen of the world. If you look for ways to give back now, share your common experiences, then you will make an impact — the opportunities are endless.”
“The academic community not only has research knowledge but more importantly has a willingness to share their research with the greater community.” —Dr. Kenneth Bridbord
