Howard Hiatt

Howard Hiatt (born 1925) is an American physician and a pioneer in the field of medical education. He is best known for his contributions to the development of molecular medicine and his advocacy for global health equity.

Early Life and Education

Hiatt was born in 1925 in New York City. He completed his undergraduate studies at Harvard University and received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School in 1948. He completed his residency in internal medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Career

Hiatt joined the faculty of Harvard Medical School in 1955. He served as the Dean of the Harvard School of Public Health from 1972 to 1984. During his tenure, he introduced molecular biology to the school's curriculum, a first in the field of public health education.

In 1984, Hiatt became the founding faculty member of the Division of Social Medicine and Health Inequalities at Brigham and Women's Hospital, where he worked to improve health care delivery to underserved populations. He has also been a strong advocate for global health equity, working with organizations such as Partners In Health to improve health care in developing countries.

Hiatt's research has focused on cancer epidemiology and prevention. He was among the first to propose that dietary factors can influence cancer risk.

Awards and Honors

Hiatt has received numerous awards for his contributions to medicine and public health, including the Sedgwick Memorial Medal for Distinguished Service in Public Health and the Prince Mahidol Award for outstanding contributions to the field of medicine.