IHCCM - Faculty

The Harold Simon Chair in International Health and Cross-Cultural Medicine has been established by an anonymous donor in recognition of Dr. Simon’s contributions in the field of global health, from his role in the design of health care systems serving developing countries, to his leadership in initiating cultural awareness training as part of the medical student experience. Issues ranging from emerging infectious diseases, physical and psychological trauma experienced by refugees, malnutrition, rapid population growth, and limited resources for effective health care service delivery are among the challenges that arise in a diverse population.

Issues ranging from emerging infectious diseases, physical and psychological trauma experienced by refugees, malnutrition, rapid population growth, and limited resources for effective health care service delivery are among the challenges that arise in a diverse population. The Harold Simon Chair will support efforts to expand the School of Medicine’s Department of Family and Preventive Medicine’s educational and research activities in these areas. This is the only endowed chair in international health at a U.S. medical school, according to Simon.

“This endowment is a fitting tribute to Dr. Simon, a dedicated and respected expert in international health,” said Robert M. Kaplan, Ph.D., who chaired the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine until July 2004. “His activities range from teaching students, to coordinating major public service initiatives, to developing liaisons between UCSD and other medical schools abroad, especially the Pacific Rim countries. His interests continue to be far-reaching. He recently coordinated the national conference on Bio-Terrorism which was held in San Diego.”

The endowed chair supports the department’s commitment to meeting the needs of California’s increasing cultural diversity. It will help ensure that physicians and educators reach a better understanding of the health care needs of a diverse population—including cultural competency in caring for patients that goes beyond merely speaking the same language.

The Harold Simon Chair will support efforts to expand the School of Medicine’s Department of Family and Preventive Medicine’s educational and research activities in these areas. This is the only endowed chair in international health at a U.S. medical school, according to Simon. Following a national search, Dr. Steffanie Strathdee was named as the first Harold Simon Chair in January 2004.