University of Virginia Appoints New Global Health Equity Director

The University of Virginia has appointed Dr. Scott Heysell as director of the Center for Global Health Equity, a post he will assume July 1.

Heysell, the Tomas H. Hunter Associate Professor of Internal Medicine, is a UVA Health physician-scientist who studies infectious diseases and their impacts on international health. Much of his practice has involved caring for patients with the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, and tuberculosis.

The Center for Global Health Equity provides students with scholarships, internships and research opportunities to improve the health of residents in Virginia and abroad, where many lack consistent access to health care because of societal inequities. Faculty members often partner with the center to build on their global health projects in places like Tanzania, Cambodia and Rwanda.

“The key priorities for (the center) will be to build upon the foundational work to reduce health disparities in communities around the world where partnerships can be sustained, and that are ideally aligned with UVA’s broader plan for global engagement,” Heysell said.

Stephen Mull, UVA’s vice provost for global affairs, said Heysell’s focus on global health makes him an excellent choice for director.

“His life of service to others at home and around the world and extraordinary scholarship as one of the University’s leading infectious diseases experts will ensure even richer experiences for students lucky enough to participate in the center’s important work,” Mull said.

Heysell majored in English at Vanderbilt University before enrolling in medical school and earning a combined medical degree and master’s in public health from Oregon Health Sciences University. He completed residency training in internal medicine at Yale University, where he was selected as chief resident, before concluding an infectious diseases fellowship at UVA.