Dr. Hani Atrash, a long-time, active member of the MCH Section, has been appointed director of the Division of Blood Disorders (DBD) in the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD), of the CDC, effective June 2008.  Over the last few years the DBD, under the leadership of Dr. Roshni Kulkari, has expanded its vision and has continued to take leadership roles in blood disorders and public health.  Although Dr. Kulkarni has decided to return to her professorship in pediatric hematology/oncology at Michigan State University, she will continue to spend much of her time as a Senior Medical Advisor to the DBD.  Dr. Atrash's expertise in program development and in execution of large public health programs will combine with the strengths of DBD scientists and staff to enhance and expand the division's excellent programs in blood disorders, and to increase collaboration with other divisions at CDC, with partners at state and local health departments, and with private organizations.  

Hani Atrash, MD, MPH, received his MD from American University in Beirut (AUB), and his MPH from the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University.  He came to the CDC in 1979 when he was recruited to the Epidemic Intelligence Service in the Family Planning Evaluation Division and was assigned to the Tennessee Department of Health during his first year. Between 1981 and 1984, Dr. Atrash served as assistant professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at the AUB and was assigned to the Bahrain Ministry of Health as public health consultant and manager of the Office of Professional Standards and Systems Analysis. In 1983-84, he also served as epidemiologist for the country of Bahrain. In 1985, he returned to the CDC and joined the Division of Reproductive Health (DRH) in the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. While at DRH, Dr. Atrash served as visiting scientist (1985-87), chief of the Pregnancy Morbidity and Mortality Section (1987-89), and chief of the Pregnancy and Infant Health Branch (1989 to 2001). During his tenure with the DRH, Dr. Atrash developed several nationally recognized programs in maternal and child health. He led the CDC activities on Safe Motherhood, working closely with state and local health departments, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the World Health Organization and its regional offices and their member countries.

Dr. Atrash strengthened and expanded CDC activities in Maternal and Child Health epidemiology, preterm delivery, and maternal and infant health surveillance and research; he established the CDC pregnancy mortality surveillance system, the CDC/ACOG Maternal Mortality Study Group, the Annual Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology Conference, and the national Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology Awards. He worked closely with state and local health departments, national public and private organizations, and with federal agencies to provide technical assistance and to develop and support training programs for MCH workers at the state and local levels. Dr. Atrash serves as Temporary Advisor to the World Health Organization and consults regularly on public health and epidemiology issues around the world. He holds an academic appointment as Clinical Associate Professor at the Emory University Rollins School of Public Health with the Department of International Health, Department of Epidemiology, and with the Women’s and Children’s Center. In 2001, Dr. Atrash joined the new National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities as associate director for program development where he oversees activities related to global health, work force development, women’s health, relationships with national organizations and state and local health departments, and minority health. During the last four years, Dr. Atrash spearheaded the new CDC program on Preconception Care.

Dr. Atrash is also an accomplished scientist and prolific writer, and has authored over 150 scientific publications and has served as an editor or associate editor of numerous scientific collections.  He serves on a variety of key national advisory committees. Dr. Atrash has received numerous honors and awards within CDC and at the national level for his work in improving the health of mothers and children.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Atrash on his new position.