Yale School of Public Health (YSPH) has announced the appointment of Dr. Anne Zink, MD, a distinguished leader in public health, as a Lecturer and Senior Fellow in the Department of Health Policy and Management. Dr. Zink’s appointment, effective December 1st, 2024, marks a significant addition to YSPH’s faculty.
Nationally recognized for her innovative approaches to public health challenges, Dr. Zink has a proven track record of implementing data-driven solutions and advocating for improved health outcomes at all levels – local, tribal, territorial, state, and national. Her experience spans a wide range of critical health issues.
During her tenure (2018-2024) as Chief Medical officer for the State of Alaska, Dr. Zink spearheaded the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Her leadership resulted in exceptionally high vaccination rates and one of the lowest COVID-19 death rates in the nation. This success was achieved through effective collaboration with 229 tribes, public health agencies, and municipal leaders. Beyond COVID-19, she launched the “Healthy Alaskans” initiative, established the state’s Complex Care Committee to improve patient care coordination, and developed programs addressing critical health concerns such as tuberculosis and youth mental health.
Dr. Zink’s influence extends beyond Alaska.As the immediate past-president of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), she represented public health leaders from across the United States, fostering collaboration and advocating for policy changes during a period of rapid transformation in the field. her commitment to integrating public health and healthcare data is a consistent theme throughout her career. She currently holds leadership positions in several foundations, including the Common Health Coalition and the Biosecurity Game changer coalition, and has served in advisory roles for various state, private, and national health data initiatives, including the CDC.
Dr. Zink’s accomplishments have garnered numerous accolades, including a Special Award from the Federation of Natives, the National Policy Pioneer Award from the American College of Emergency Physicians, and an honorary doctorate from the University of Alaska Anchorage. A skilled communicator, she regularly contributes to a monthly Alaskan health radio show and podcast and has been featured extensively in various media outlets.
Her background is equally impressive. Dr. Zink earned a BA from Bryn Mawr college and an MD from stanford University. She completed her emergency medicine residency at the University of Utah, was a Thomas J. Watson Fellow, and served as a long-time instructor for the National Outdoor Leadership School. She continues to practice emergency medicine, bringing valuable real-world experience to her policy and programmatic work.
“As a Senior Fellow at YSPH, Dr. Zink will be deeply engaged in teaching, mentorship, and collaboration on health data initiatives and health interaction across our school,” said Dean Megan L. Ranney, MD. “We are truly honored for her to bring her deep knowledge – in public health leadership, in crisis communication, in rural and indigenous american public health, in public health data – to our school. We are excited to have her expertise and leadership as part of our academic programs and look forward to her contributions in shaping the future of public health education and practice.”
nationally Recognized Leader Joins yale School of Public Health: Dr. Anne Zink to Bring Expertise in Data-Driven Healthcare
This interview with Dr. Rebecca Miller, Director of Harvard university’s Center for Health Policy Research, delves into the significant appointment of dr.Anne Zink to the Yale School of Public Health. This move brings together impactful leadership in public health data, policy, and crisis interaction under one prestigious academic roof.
WTN Senior Editor: Dr. Miller, Dr.Anne Zink’s appointment to Yale has generated considerable excitement within the public health community. What, in your expertise, makes her qualifications so noteworthy?
Dr.Rebecca Miller: Dr. Zink embodies a rare combination of practical experience and visionary leadership. She has navigated complex public health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating not only her medical expertise but also her ability to forge effective collaborations
between diverse stakeholders — from tribal leaders to national healthcare organizations.This “boots on the ground” experience, coupled with her commitment to data-driven decision-making, positions her ideally to shape the future of public health education and practice.
WTN Senior Editor: Dr. Zink’s tenure as Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer seems particularly relevant. What insights can you offer on her achievements during that period?
Dr. Rebecca Miller: alaska presented unique challenges, requiring a nuanced understanding of rural health disparities and the specific needs of Indigenous communities. Dr. Zink not only spearheaded Alaska’s successful COVID-19 response, achieving impressive vaccination rates and remarkably low fatality rates, but she also proactively addressed underlying health inequities through initiatives like “Healthy Alaskans.” This program reflecs
her deep recognition that true public health progress requires addressing social determinants of health alongside medical interventions.
WTN Senior Editor:
Beyond her executive leadership, Dr. Zink is known for her active engagement with policy advancement. how does this experience contribute to her role as a Senior Fellow and Lecturer at Yale?
Dr. Rebecca Miller:
Dr. Zink’s involvement with organizations like ASTHO has given her a national platform to advocate for evidence-based policies and to build consensus around complex public health issues.Her ability to translate complex data into actionable strategies, combined with her strong communication skills, will be invaluable in preparing the next generation of public health leaders who will face increasingly intricate challenges
in a rapidly changing world.
WTN Senior Editor:
yale’s focus on health data initiatives and public health interaction strongly aligns with Dr. Zink’s expertise.What specific contributions do you anticipate her making in these areas?
Dr.Rebecca Miller: Yale is fortunate to have Dr. Zink’s expertise at this critical juncture. Her understanding of how to effectively utilize health data to drive policy decisions and improve health outcomes will be instrumental in advancing the school’s research and educational initiatives.moreover, her collaborative spirit and experience
in bridging communication gaps between diverse stakeholders will undoubtedly enrich these interdisciplinary efforts.
WTN Senior Editor: Thank you, Dr. Miller.Your insights shed light on the profound impact Dr. Zink is likely to have at Yale and within the broader field of public health.
