Geisel Public Health Seminar Series Welcomes Dr. Georges C. Benjamin for Inspiring Discussion on Health Policy and Leadership
On January 19, 2026, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth welcomed Dr. Georges C. Benjamin, MD, as a speaker in its Public Health Seminar Series. Held virtually, the event brought together the Geisel community for an engaging and inspiring discussion on health policy, leadership, and the role of public health professionals in shaping change.
Dr. Benjamin is a nationally recognized health policy leader, practitioner, and administrator. He currently serves as executive director of the American Public Health Association, the nation’s oldest and largest organization of public health professionals, and previously served as secretary of Health for the state of Maryland. Board-certified in internal medicine, Dr. Benjamin is a Master of the American College of Physicians, a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration, and an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine.
The event was facilitated with the support of the Online Hybrid MPH Student Advisory Council, led by president Maryn White. White shared that the idea for the session emerged from strong student interest in health policy, particularly as the second-year MPH class is currently enrolled in a policy-focused course.
“With our coursework being policy focused, Dr. Georges Benjamin was a pertinent choice for our Public Health Webinar Series,” White said. “It was truly amazing being able to coordinate with the executive director of the American Public Health Association and persuade him to share his time with our students who are hoping to change the world for the better.”
The Public Health Webinar Series is a student-led initiative that invites guest speakers to share their expertise with Geisel students. Organized collaboratively by the Online Hybrid Student Advisory Council and residential MPH students, the series is open to all Geisel community members across programs, including residential and online MPH students, MD candidates, and MS students. Past speakers have included Dr. Peter Hotez, a prominent vaccine scientist and physician; Alison Cheperdak, JD, who spoke on career etiquette; and Dr. Oxiris Barbot, former commissioner of the New York City Department of Health. An upcoming session will feature Dr. Oni Blackstock.
During Dr. Benjamin’s session, students and faculty engaged in a lively discussion spanning his career in clinical practice, public administration, and national health policy leadership. When asked how public health professionals can be more effective at influencing policy in polarized political environments, Dr. Benjamin emphasized the importance of communication and empathy, responding, “We need to do more listening and more talking.”
He also shared a reflection that resonated strongly with attendees: “Public health teaches you the discipline to think. It actually functionally teaches you to solve problems. So people who go to schools and programs of public health both at the graduate level and undergraduate level, I believe they have a leg up in any final profession they want to go in because it teaches you how to think strategically about problems.”
Faculty members from across Geisel joined the session, contributing to a dynamic exchange of questions and ideas. Participants noted how inspiring it was to hear firsthand how Dr. Benjamin’s career has spanned policy, clinical settings, and administrative leadership. The session underscored the impact of student-driven programming at Geisel and reflected the community’s shared commitment to public health education, leadership, and meaningful engagement.
Written by: Mia Soucy
POSTED 1/22/2026 AT 10:31 AM IN #health policy #public health #leadership #Dr.Georges C. Benjamin