Cheryl G. Healton, DrPH

President & CEO
American Legacy Foundation
1724 Mass Ave NW
Washington, DC
USA 20036

Biographical Sketch: American Legacy Foundation Cheryl G. Healton, Dr. P.H. President and Chief Executive Officer Following the creation of the American Legacy Foundation in 1999, Dr. Cheryl Healton joined the staff as the first president and chief executive officer of this groundbreaking public health nonprofit, created by the historic Master Settlement Agreement between 46 state attorneys general, five U.S. territories and the tobacco industry. Dr. Healton was selected for this important post following a nationwide search and has worked tirelessly to further the foundation’s ambitious mission: to build a world where young people reject tobacco and anyone can quit. During her tenure with the foundation, she has guided the highly acclaimed, national youth tobacco prevention counter-marketing campaign, truth®, that has been credited in part with reducing youth smoking prevalence to its current 28-year low. Although her current focus is aimed at reducing the deadly toll of tobacco on Americans, Dr. Healton‘s long and dynamic career in the field of public health has earned her national recognition and praise. The recipient of numerous prestigious awards, she has recently been honored with the American Lung Association’s Life and Breath Award in 2003; with the 2003 Social Justice Award from the State of Hawaii; and has been named “Star” honoree for the 2004 New York Women’s Agenda (NYWA) Star Breakfast - a gala where the NYWA honors outstanding women who represent the spirit of New York, who provide leadership in business and in the community, and who are role models for other women. Dr. Healton holds a doctorate from Columbia University's School of Public Health and a master's degree in Public Administration at New York University for health policy and planning. She joined the American Legacy Foundation from Columbia University's Joseph L. Mailman School of Public Health in New York, where she served as Head of the Division of Socio-medical Sciences and Associate Dean for Program Development. A thought-provoking public speaker, Dr. Healton has given a multitude of presentations around the world. Considered bold, inspirational and humorous, she is a frequent commentator in national and local broadcast and print news coverage regarding tobacco control issues, which include guest appearances on ABC’s Good Morning America; CNN’s Larry King Live; NBC’s Today, MSNBC’s Hardball with Chris Matthews, National Public Radio and more. Dr. Healton says, "For many years public health has been virtually the only health field without a core credential. Certified in Public Health professionals have demonstrated mastery of the core sciences of public health, and can apply their proven knowledge to tobacco control. Therefore, Certified in Public Health professionals will help stop the number one cause of preventable death in the US."

Papers:
5133.0 Advocacy for reducing the role of the global tobacco industry on health education