Leadership Team
The Dean and senior leadership work to educate the next generation of public health leaders, conduct groundbreaking research, and deliver solutions to protect and improve the health and well-being of people everywhere.
Linda P. Fried, MD, MPH
Dean and DeLamar Professor of Public Health
Director, Robert N. Butler Columbia Aging Center
officeoflindafried@cumc.columbia.edu
Administrative Leadership
Anne Marie Benedicto, MPA, MPHÂ
- Chief of Staff
Anne Marie Benedicto leads operations for the Dean’s office and directs advancement of the Columbia Mailman's strategic priorities. Previously, Anne Marie served as the Vice President of the Center for Transforming Healthcare and was the Chief of Staff and Executive Vice President for The Joint Commission. She has held finance and quality-related positions in healthcare organizations in New York City. Her expertise is in applying high reliability principles to organizational processes. Anne Marie earned her BA from the University of California at Berkeley, her MPA from Columbia's School of International and Public Affairs, and her MPH from the Columbia Mailman School of Public Health.
Sami Jarrah, MPH
- Vice Dean for Finance and Administration
- Executive Director for Public Partnerships
Mr. Jarrah directs the Columbia Mailman's compliance, facilities, finance, information technology, and human resources functions. He also provides leadership for developing and deepening mutually beneficial partnerships between the School and the public sector at all levels. Previously, Mr. Jarrah served as the Chief Financial Officer at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, as Chief Operating Officer at the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, and as Deputy Director at the Multnomah County Health Department. Mr. Jarrah earned his MPH from the University of Washington and his BA from Davidson College.
Michael Joseph, PhD
- Vice Dean for Education Associate
- Professor of Epidemiology
Dr. Joseph is a highly regarded teacher and curricular innovator, whose educational contributions and approach have been recognized locally, nationally and internationally. Dr. Joseph provides academic guidance for the Columbia Mailman School of Public Health's education portfolio, which enrolls more than 1400 students from around the world in doctoral and master’s degree programs. As Vice Dean, he leads the Columbia MPH and directs a range of support services, including admissions and financial aid, student affairs, and career services.
Silvia Martins, MD, PhD
- Associate Dean for Faculty
- Professor of Epidemiology
Dr. Martins is a Professor of Epidemiology, directs the Substance Use Epidemiology Unit, co-directs the NIDA-funded Substance Abuse Epidemiology T32 training program, and is on faculty in the Columbia Center for Injury Science and Prevention. Her areas of research have focused on cannabis, opioids and substance use disorder, medical and recreational cannabis laws, opioid policies, the impacts of substance use policies on pregnant and postpartum women, and substance use disorders in people in Latin America. Silvia earned her MD from the Federal University of Paraná in Brazil, and her PhD from the University of São Paulo in Brazil. Sylvia has a deep passion for and commitment to successful faculty development, for effective mentorship, and for equity of opportunity.
Gary W. Miller, PhD
- Vice Dean for Research Strategy and Innovation
- Professor of Environmental Health Sciences
Dr. Miller moved to Columbia University in 2018 after 16 years at Emory University. Dr. Miller is the founding director of the HERCULES Exposome Research Center at Emory University, the first exposome-based research center in the U.S. He authored the first book on the topic, The Exposome: A Primer. His research focuses on environmental drivers of neurodegeneration. In his vice dean role, Dr. Miller partners with faculty to further their research success and serves as a catalyst to propel interdisciplinary work throughout the School.
Yvonne Ortiz, MEd
- Associate Dean of Inclusive Excellence
Yvonne Ortiz has a breadth of experience in higher education, serving in student affairs, program review, and teaching roles at diverse higher education institutions. For 30 years, Yvonne has led and coached institutions on building diversity, equity and belonging and how to improve success for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, led dynamic teams, guided strategic planning, facilitated professional learning for equity-minded practice; and created a culture of evidence for reaffirmation of accreditation.
Laura Sobel, MBA
- Associate Dean for Development and Alumni Relations
Ms. Sobel serves as Associate Dean for Development and Alumni Relations and oversees the management of the Columbia Mailman Board of Advisors. Ms. Sobel has held several executive leadership roles within educational, international development, community foundations, and healthcare non-profit organizations. Prior to arriving at Columbia, Ms. Sobel was Vice President for Principal and Major Gifts at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, a Harvard teaching hospital, for seventeen years growing fundraising from $8M to $85M annually. Ms. Sobel has also held leadership positions at the Boston Foundation, Greater Boston’s community foundation, Facing History and Ourselves, an international teacher training organization, and CARE, an international relief organization. Ms. Sobel spent her childhood in NYC. Ms. Sobel graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst with a degree in Economics and received her MBA from Northeastern University.
