The CDC Leaders

"I became hooked on public health after a fascinating EIS experience, highlighted by investigations of several new diseases and helping to develop measures to prevent them in the future. I never went back to my chosen career in pediatrics, but instead stayed on at CDC for the long term."

—Henry Falk, MD, MPH (RADM, USPHS)

Henry Falk, MD, MPH (RADM, USPHS)

Director, Coordinating Center for Environmental Health and Injury Prevention, Assistant Surgeon General (Ret.), USPHS

Henry Falk, MD, MPH, who came to CDC in 1972, currently serves as director, Coordinating Center for Environmental Health and Injury Prevention (CCEHIP), one of four Coordinating Centers at CDC. Prior to becoming director of CCEHIP, he served as director for both the National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) from 2003, when these two entities consolidated to form NCEH/ATSDR, until February, 2004.

While at NCEH, Dr. Falk led the center′s national effort to prevent and control environment-related diseases, illness, and deaths. He also served NCEH for 14 years as director of the Division of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects. At ATSDR, which was created by the 1980 Superfund legislation, Dr. Falk led the federal agency, whose mission is to protect public health from hazardous releases of toxic substances from 1999 to February 2005.

His work includes contributions to the federal responses to Three-Mile Island, Mount St. Helens, Hurricanes Hugo and Andrew, and the September 11th attacks. During the 1980s, Dr. Falk was instrumental in developing the injury prevention programs at CDC. He has also authored or co-authored more than 100 publications in a variety of subjects, including vinyl chloride-induced liver cancer, prevention of lead poisoning, and the health effects of environmental hazards.

A 30-year veteran of the US Public Health Service, Dr. Falk′s service culminated with his promotion to rear admiral and an appointment as Assistant US Surgeon General.

Doctor Falk earned his medical degree from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in 1968. He received a master′s degree from the Harvard School of Public Health in 1976, and he is board-certified in pediatrics, public health, and general preventive medicine.

His honors include the Vernon Houk Award for Leadership in Preventing Childhood Lead Poisoning and the Homer C. Calver Award from the American Public Health Association. He has also received CDC′s William C. Watson Jr. Medal of Excellence, as well as the Distinguished Service Award from the US Public Health Service.