Current Dean Dr. David Bangsberg will step down effective June 30, 2022
by School of Public Health
March 28th 2022
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As you know, David Bangsberg, M.D., M.P.H. announced he will step down as dean of the
OHSU-PSU School of Public Health (SPH), effective June 30, 2022. Dr. Bangsberg was named founding dean of the OHSU-PSU SPH in Sept. 2016.
We are pleased to announce that Dr. Rick Johnson has agreed to serve as interim dean of the OHSU-PSU SPH while Dr. Susan Jeffords, Portland State University provost, and I undertake a national search to find a dean who will serve in a permanent capacity. Dr. Johnson is the associate dean for academic affairs and a professor in the OHSU-PSU SPH, and the former director of the Environmental Systems and Human Health Program in the SPH.
Dr. Johnson received his B.S. degree in chemistry from the University of Washington, and his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the Oregon Graduate Institute (now part of OHSU). He has been a faculty member at OHSU since 1985, and teaches in the areas of public health relating to climate change, drinking water availability, chemical and transport and transformation in the environment, and restoration of sites contaminated by industrial and other sources. His research interests involve forecasting of water quality in rivers to protect drinking water sources, development of diagnostic tools for groundwater restoration, and vulnerability of groundwater sources of drinking water.
Dr. Johnson did pioneering work dealing with the behavior of industrial solvents, such as
trichloroethylene (TCE) in groundwater. He also played an early role identifying the impact of
the gasoline additive MTBE on drinking water supplies.
With more than three decades of experience as a faculty member at OHSU, and seven years with the SPH, Dr. Johnson will provide an experienced hand as the national search for a dean unfolds. We are grateful for his expertise, support and energy as the leadership of the School undergoes this transition.
“I thank both Interim Provost Robinson and Provost Jeffords for this opportunity, and for their
support,” Johnson said. “I look forward to guiding the School of Public Health through this
period of transition, and am committed to maintaining the positive environment for our
learners built by Dean Bangsberg.”
Kind regards,
David Robinson, Ph.D., Interim Executive Vice President and Provost, OHSU
Susan Jeffords, Ph.D., Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, PSU