Honorees include epidemiologists, program managers, researchers, and policy analysts from health departments, colleges and universities, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector
Our Bureau
Bethesda, MD
Today the de Beaumont Foundation announced its 2023 40 Under 40 in Public Health honorees, which include the Health Department’s Dr. Julian L. Watkins and Carolyn Rhodebeck. The 40 Under 40 in Public Health list recognizes and elevates equity-focused, service-oriented leaders changing the face of public health in creative and innovative ways. Dr Julian L Watkins, Assistant Commissioner for the Bureau of Health Equity Capacity Building, and Carolyn Rhodebeck, Strengthening the U.S. Response to Resistant Gonorrhea (SURRG) Epidemiology Coordinator for the Bureau of Hepatitis, HIV, and Sexually Transmitted Infections, are among the honorees selected by a distinguished panel of public health leaders for their leadership and impact on their community’s health.
Julian L Watkins joined the Health Department in 2017 as Physician in Charge of the Riverside Sexual Health Clinic and continued in this role throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Watkins also participated in the Health Department’s COVID-19 response efforts, including by helping stand up the NYC Test and Trace Corps, supporting the NYC Provider Access Line, serving as medical advisor to the Incident Commander, and facilitating tailored engagement with provider and community groups to promote COVID-19 vaccines.
“Our staff, and these honorees, are exceptional in so many ways and deeply deserving of recognition,” said New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. “While they excel in their roles, recent events have pushed them far beyond their day-to-day job descriptions and they have done everything asked of them and more. Julian and Carolyn are the present and future of public health, and bring honor and credit to the field. We are grateful to the de Beaumont Foundation for reflecting their light back to them with this recognition. It is well deserved.”
“The professionals chosen for the 40 Under 40 in Public Health Class of 2023 demonstrate the determination, commitment, innovation, and resilience of the public health field,” said Dr. Brian C. Castrucci, President and CEO of the de Beaumont Foundation, which launched the program in 2019. “Their work is strengthening communities and improving lives, and I look forward to following their careers and learning from them.”
Carolyn Rhodebeck joined the Health Department’s Public Health Laboratory in 2018. During the Health Department’s COVID-19 response, Carolyn helped to set up the first COVID-19 testing site, provided administrative support for the Surveillance and Epidemiology unit, coordinated operations at vaccine sites, and served as a Deputy Lead for the Immunization Justice Work Group, which offered support and created spaces for Health Department staff to voice their concerns around COVID-19.Currently, Carolyn serves as the SURRG Epidemiology Coordinator for the Bureau of Hepatitis, HIV, and Sexually Transmitted Infections and participates in a various equity and social justice work groups at the Health Department.
