CHICAGO - The American Medical Association (AMA) welcomes Saul M. Levin, MD, MPA, as its new vice president of science, medicine and public health. Dr. Levin will be responsible for the areas of public health preparedness, infectious disease and vaccines, healthy lifestyles, health care disparities, the prevention of chronic disease, as well as alcohol and tobacco use.

"I am pleased to join the AMA and to play a part in educating Americans about important public health issues and challenges, particularly in this time of health care change," said Dr. Levin. "With an increased focus on preventive health, I plan to ensure accurate and comprehensive educational programs, scientific knowledge and health informational reports of the AMA are accessible to patients when they are making important health care decisions."

"We are delighted that Dr. Levin will be bringing his experience and talents to this extremely important role at the nexus of clinical medicine, science and public health," said Modena Wilson, MD, MPH, senior vice president of professional standards for the AMA.
Dr. Levin previously served as president and CEO of Medical Education for South African Blacks (MESAB), an international organization that provided scholarships to black South African students who planned to study health sciences. Once the newly democratic government was able to establish its own scholarship program, MESAB dissolved in 2007 having accomplished its mission. Before that, Dr. Levin spent 10 years as president and CEO of ACCESS Consulting International, Inc., a health and human service policy, program and research consulting firm. He also served as a special expert appointee in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in Washington, D.C., prior to founding ACCESS.

Dr. Levin received his medical degree from the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; trained in psychiatry at the University of California, Davis; and holds a Master in Public Administration from Harvard University, Kennedy School of Government. Dr. Levin has been an active member since 1986. He has served in a number of capacities, including as a member of the Council on Long Range Planning and Development.

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