Francesca Beaudoin PhD’17, a professor of epidemiology and of emergency medicine, will become the next dean of the School of Public Health on June 1. Beaudoin has filled the role in an interim capacity since January after the departure of former dean Ashish Jha.
“Francesca is a proven academic leader who deeply embodies Brown’s mission of translating world-class research into real-world impact,” Provost Francis Doyle shared in a Tuesday message announcing the new dean.
As dean, Beaudoin will oversee the SPH’s academic departments, research centers and graduate and undergraduate programs, Doyle added.
“It is my hope that the School of Public Health is a defining force in the University’s mission and that we help lead the University response to the world’s most urgent health challenges,” Beaudoin wrote in an email to The Herald. “It’s critical that our school continues to advance discovery, impact and public trust at a time when health challenges are reshaping society.”
“Part of the way we will do this is by attracting, retaining and developing top talent: exceptional students, faculty, staff and partners.” she added. “People are at the center of what we do and who we serve.”
Beaudoin first came to Brown in 2006 to complete a Brown-affiliated residency in emergency medicine at Rhode Island Hospital. She became an assistant professor of emergency medicine at the University in 2010, in addition to beginning her role as an attending physician. While working, Beaudoin completed her Ph.D. in epidemiology, which she received from Brown in 2017.
Beaudoin became a tenured professor of emergency medicine and of epidemiology in 2023, and she has served as academic dean for the SPH and chair of the Department of Epidemiology. As a researcher of pain management, the opioid epidemic and acute trauma recovery, Beaudoin has also authored over 190 peer-reviewed articles, according to Doyle’s message.
Outside of her work at Brown, Beaudoin has served on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Anesthetic and Analgesic Drug Products Advisory Committee and is on the board of directors at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island.
This year, Beaudoin has been involved with shaping the public health components of the University’s recovery efforts following the Dec. 13 shooting.
Beaudoin earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in kinesiology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2000 and 2002, and she graduated from University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School in 2006.
Ian Ritter is a university news and science & research editor, covering graduate schools and students. He is a junior concentrating in chemistry. When he isn’t at The Herald or exploding lab experiments, you can find him playing the clarinet or watching the Mets.
