We are delighted to announce that Daniel E. Dawes, an internationally recognized leader in the health equity movement and scholar on the political determinants of health, will join the Yale School of Nursing (YSN) as a Presidential Visiting Fellow for the 2024-25 academic year.
Dr. Dawes joins YSN at a pivotal moment. With YSN entering its second century, Dean Azita Emami at the helm, and a renewed commitment to seeking better health for all people, Dr. Dawes will play a pivotal role in enriching the academic environment at YSN and Yale University.
Dr. Dawes is the Founding Dean of the School of Global Health and Senior Vice President of Global Health at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN. Among his many achievements, he was an instrumental figure in developing and negotiating the Mental Health Parity Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act, and an architect of the Affordable Care Act’s (ObamaCare) health equity-focused provisions, among other landmark federal policies. He founded and chaired the largest advocacy group, the National Working Group on Health Disparities and Health Reform, focused on developing comprehensive, inclusive, and meaningful legislation to reform the healthcare system and address the disparities in health care and health status among racial and ethnic minorities, people living with disabilities, women, children, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, and other vulnerable groups in the United States. He is the co-founder of the Health Equity Leadership and Exchange Network (HELEN), which is a national network of health equity champions in virtually every state and territory, principal investigator of the nation’s first health equity tracker, and co-principal investigator of the National COVID-19 Resiliency Network.
He is an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine and an elected fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine. He serves as an advisor to The White House COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force, an appointed member of the CDC’s Advisory Committee to the Director where he co-chairs the Health Equity working group for the CDC, and an appointed member of the NIH’s National Advisory Council for Nursing Research.
“Dr. Daniel Dawes is one of the most compelling and capable advocates for, and scholars of, healthcare equity. He built the foundation of the healthcare equity movement with his trailblazing books, “150 Years of Obamacare,” and “The Political Determinants of Health.” These deeply researched, articulate treatises have inspired a rethinking of not only what the inequities are in our health systems, but also what their roots are and how causality can be addressed and remediated. He has the ability to both inquire and inspire Yale students and faculty, using the kind of evidence-based consideration that gets past rhetoric to find reason and generate viable solutions that can contribute to inclusive excellence at Yale,” stated Dean Azita Emami.
While at YSN, Dr. Dawes will focus on helping us advance academic program development and research centered on the political determinants of health. His work will not only enhance nursing education but also foster interdisciplinary partnerships with other schools such as Yale School of Medicine and Yale School of Public Health. The goal is to integrate the political determinants of health into health science curricula and establish collaborative initiatives that extend across these disciplines.
This partnership will include curriculum development, professional development opportunities, mentorship initiatives, and programming designed to empower healthcare providers to address the political and social drivers of health inequities. As part of this collaboration, YSN and Meharry will co-host a global summit that convenes thought leaders, healthcare professionals, and policymakers to develop actionable strategies for promoting health equity. This initiative exemplifies our shared commitment to preparing future healthcare leaders with the expertise to drive systemic change, address the root causes of inequities, and build a more equitable global health system.
Furthermore, under the Alliance for Scholarship, Collaboration, Engagement, Networking and Development (ASCEND) initiative, Yale will formalize an institutional partnership with Meharry, creating more opportunities for faculty and students to deepen their engagement in collaborative teaching, learning, and impactful scholarship across both institutions.
“I am deeply honored and grateful to Dean Azita Emami for this recognition and opportunity to collaborate on actualizing global health equity. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in our efforts to create a transformative, bi-directional educational experience that leverages the distinctive strengths and academic resources of both institutions. By aligning our curricula, research initiatives, and community engagement efforts, we are uniquely positioned to address the pervasive inequities that continue to challenge our healthcare system and society at large. Through this partnership, we will develop an innovative educational program that integrates interdisciplinary approaches while embedding the political determinants of health framework and evidence-based practices, equipping nursing students and other health professional students with the skills and knowledge needed to become effective health equity leaders, scholars, and champions in their field,” stated Dr. Daniel Dawes.
We welcome Dr. Dawes to YSN and look forward to a great year ahead!
Presidential Visiting Fellows are appointed as part of Yale’s Faculty Excellence and Diversity Initiative. Exceptional scholars and practitioners who contribute to inclusive excellence are appointed each year.