Dr. Katie DiSantis, assistant professor of Public Health, has been appointed Chair of the Department of Public Health at Arcadia University. Dr. DiSantis succeeds Dr. Andrea Crivelli-Kovach, professor of Public Health, as Chair.

Dr. DiSantis joined the Public Health faculty in 2012 after working at the African American Collaborative Obesity Research Network at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Her most recent research focuses on food shopping in the African American community and countering targeted marketing.

“I’m excited about working with the faculty and the expertise they each bring,” said Dr. DiSantis. “As chair, I hope to continue developing the undergraduate program and to establish it as a popular major that draws students to Arcadia.”

Dr. Crivelli-Kovach led Public Health since the development of the Master of Public Health (MPH) degree in 2000. She spearheaded accreditation of the degree, which was granted in June 2013 by the Council on Education for Public Health, a nationally and internationally recognized accreditation body. She developed the MPH program, the dual degree options, the minor in Global Health, and the service abroad opportunities.

“What I’m most proud of are the students and the program,” said Dr. Crivelli-Kovach. “Our students are always above average by employers in the field. It means that when graduate from our program, they are leaving with the skills of a Public Health professional.”