KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Dr. William Nettleton, MD, MPH, has been recognized as one of the “40 Under 40 in Public Health” in recognition of his work as medical director at Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services Department and Calhoun County Public Health Department, as well as assistant professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine.
The de Beaumont Foundation announced its 2021 list Tuesday after reviewing applications from hundreds of rising leaders in public health.
“At a time when health professionals are being required to adapt and take on monumental challenges, we are incredibly proud of these leaders,” Brian C. Castrucci, DrPH, president and CEO of the de Beaumont Foundation, said in a statement. “We created the 40 Under 40 initiative to recognize and tell the stories of rising leaders who are making a difference in communities across the country. By promoting their work and accomplishments, we hope to attract and inspire a new generation of leaders.”
As both a medical director and an assistant professor, officials say Dr. Nettleton’s position is a unique collaboration between a medical school and two county health departments. In this role, he sees patients and teaches resident physicians and medical students, while also responding and addressing the various public health threats that impact the communities of Kalamazoo and Calhoun counties.
He has led public health emergency responses to municipal water contamination incidents, a deadly outbreak of mosquito-borne infections and the COVID-19 pandemic.
He has also worked closely with community partners to address the opioid overdose epidemic.
“In public health we work to build trust and relationships to address community challenges that require community solutions,” Dr. Nettleton said in a statement. “Public health is a public good that requires public investment. A population and community perspective will be essential to overcoming the public health challenges of the 21st century.”
In 2020, Dr. Nettleton served as the president of the Michigan Association of Preventive Medicine and Public Health Physicians. He earned his medical degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine, an Masters of Public Health from Portland State University, and degrees in philosophy and biology from Hope College.
He completed residency at Oregon Health and Science University and is board certified in both family medicine and preventive medicine/public health.
Applications were submitted between February 2021 and April 2021, and officials say the pool of applicants represented a diverse set of backgrounds and a wide range of professional roles.
The de Beaumont Foundation released its first class of 40 Under 40 in Public Health in May 2019.
For more information about the 40 Under 40 in Public Health, including a full list of honorees, visit www.debeaumont.org/40Under40.
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