Written by Kim Furlow, communications manager for the Institute for Public Health
The Larry J. Shapiro Director of the Institute for Public Health, William G. Powderly, MD, has named Leah Kemper, MPH, as the institute’s new associate director. Kemper replaces Victoria Anwuri, MPH, who was recently appointed Health Commissioner for the City of St. Louis.
“I am delighted that Leah has agreed to join the leadership team,” said Powderly. “Her experience will be critical in helping the institute achieve our goals of connecting investigators from different schools and departments and community partners to catalyze impactful research that benefits public health, both locally and globally.”
Kemper has spent the past seven years at the institute as manager of the Center for Health Economics and Policy. There, she launched the Transforming Healthcare in Missouri meeting series, authored policy briefs, and managed grants awarded to the center as well as the center’s pilot grant program, which supports research centered on health economics and policy. She has provided technical assistance to researchers, and collaborated with institute, university, community and statewide partners on various initiatives.
Before her time at the institute, Leah previously engaged in health policy research at WashU’s Brown School and worked with the former Center for Health Policy. She was a legislative analyst for the Illinois State Treasurer’s office and a legislative intern at the Missouri House of Representatives.
As associate director for the Institute for Public Health, Leah will manage all operational, research, programmatic and administrative activities while working closely with the leaders of the institute’s seven centers and initiatives.
I look forward to the opportunity to work with everyone at the Institute, the University, and our partners to address the public health challenges and opportunities here in St. Louis, nationally and globally. My goal is to support and grow the remarkable research and programs happening at the university and to build new and strengthen existing collaborations.
Leah Kemper, New associate director for the Institute for Public Health