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Photograph of Dr. H. Falk

Henry Falk, M.D., M.P.H.

Director
National Center for Environmental Health
/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

Dr. Henry Falk currently heads two organizations at the center of the Department of Health and Human Services' work in environmental health.

He serves as Director for both the National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). In 2003, these two entities consolidated to form NCEH/ATSDR.

Dr. Falk arrived at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 1972. He is also a 30-year veteran of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. This service culminated with his being named rear admiral and an appointment as assistant U.S. surgeon general.

At NCEH, Dr. Falk heads the Center's national effort to prevent or control environment-related diseases, illness, and deaths. He also served NCEH for 14 years as Director of the Division of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects.

At ATSDR, which was created by the 1980 Superfund legislation, Dr. Falk leads the federal agency whose mission is to protect public health from hazardous releases of toxic substances.

Dr. Falk earned his medical degree from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in 1968. He received a master's degree from the Harvard School of Public Health in 1976, and he is board-certified in pediatrics and in public health & general preventive medicine.

Throughout his career at CDC, Dr. Falk has lent knowledge and leadership to myriad public health projects around the United States and the world. His work includes contributions to the federal responses to Three-Mile Island, Mount St. Helens, Hurricanes Hugo and Andrew, and the September 11th attacks.

Dr. Falk has also authored or coauthored more than 100 publications in a variety of subjects, including vinyl chloride-induced liver cancer, prevention of lead poisoning, and the health effects of environmental hazards.

During his career, Dr. Falk and his distinguished work have been recognized many times. His honors include the Vernon Houk Award for Leadership in Preventing Childhood Lead Poisoning and the Homer C. Calver Award from the American Public Health Association. He has also received CDC's William C. Watson Jr. Medal of Excellence, as well as the Distinguished Service Award from the U.S. Public Health Service.


Address:

ATSDR
Director
1600 Clifton Rd., N.E. (E28)
Atlanta, GA 30333

NCEH
Director
1600 Clifton Rd., N.E. (F29)
Atlanta, GA 30333

Phone: (404) 498-0004
Fax: (404) 498-0083
Phone: (770) 488-7000
Fax: (770) 488-7015


This page updated January 23, 2004

Contact Name: Robert Searfoss ATSDR OPEA Mail


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