Mexico public health institute honors Jonathan Samet

The Institute of Public Health in Mexico (INSP) celebrated the career of Dr. Jonathan Samet, Flora L. Thornton Chair of the USC Department of Preventive Medicine and director of the USC Institute for Global Health, as part of its 30-year anniversary commemoration Jan. 27.

Recognizing a career dedicated to public health

The institute awarded Samet an honorary doctorate degree for his contributions to the field of public health. “This Honoris Causae is awarded to recognize Dr. Samet’s work for global public health—for the health of all people,” said INSP Director Mauricio Hernández Ávila.

INSP is a national academic research institution dedicated to improving public health in Mexico. The institute’s research centers and school of public health examine the country’s priority health issues, including tobacco, obesity and other contributors to non-communicable disease as well as having strong programs in infectious disease.

A longstanding partnership

Samet has worked with INSP on tobacco control research for almost two decades, facilitating the development of the institute’s Center for Tobacco Control Research. With Dr. Hernández Ávila, he co-founded the Summer Program in Public Health, now in its 22^nd year.  He has taught in the program every year since it began.

At a symposium the day before the ceremony, Samet and USC Institute for Global Health Associate Director Heather Wipfli presented alongside researchers from INSP and Harvard University about tobacco control efforts, air pollution and progress on public health problems in the U.S., Mexico and globally.

“I’m honored to be a part of this celebration to mark INSP’s decades-long commitment to public health in Mexico and to receive this very high recognition,” Samet said. “I look forward to continuing our partnership for many years to come.”