Samuel Kessel

Dr. Woodie Kessel, B.S.E.E., M.D., M.P.H., is a pediatrician and child advocate. He has a long career as an educator, investigator, and practitioner in medicine, public health, bioengineering, community-based programming, and public policy. His research focuses on improving the health of children and families, currently with a special focus on preventing gun violence and food insecurity. Dr. Kessel is representing President Darryll Pines as part of the Regional University President’s 120 Initiative to prevent gun violence. He is currently the CEK Senior Child Health Scholar in Residence at the C. Everett Koop Institute, Dartmouth College and Medical School; Professor of Pediatrics, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College; and Professor of the Practice at the University of Maryland’s School of Public Health. Previously, Dr. Kessel served in the U.S. Public Health Service as an Assistant Surgeon General and senior advisor on child and family health matters to the White House, Cabinet Secretaries, Surgeons General, and Health and Human Services officials spanning eight administrations. Dr. Kessel has delivered nearly 500 invited lectures and scientific/policy presentations and authored almost 60 articles, chapters and reports. He holds an M.D. from Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and an MPH from Johns Hopkins University.