Dr. John Ruffin has devoted his professional life to improving the health status of minority populations in the United States and to developing and supporting educational programs for minority researchers and health care practitioners. In collaboration with the Institutes and Center directors, and various federal, state, community, and private-sector leaders, he has developed over 100 collaborative research studies and 30 research training programs.
On January 9, 2001,
Dr. Ruffin was appointed as the first director of the newly established
NCMHD at the NIH. In this role he leads a national program of: biomedical,
behavioral, and social sciences research; research training; and
dissemination of information designed to eliminate health disparities
and health conditions that disproportionately affect racial and
ethnic minorities and other medically-underserved populations. He
manages the NCMHD's: staff; a budget in excess of $185 million;
research programs; and statutorily-mandated health disparities programs.
These programs provide support for:
- Centers of Excellence;
- Research Endowments; and
- Loan Repayment Awards.
Dr. Ruffin is the former director of the NIH Office of Research on Minority Health, the predecessor to the NCMHD. Prior to joining the NIH he was Dean of the College of Arts and Science at North Carolina Central University. A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, Dr. Ruffin received his baccalaureate degree from Dillard University and a master's degree from Atlanta University. He earned a Ph.D. at Kansas State University in systematic and developmental biology and then pursued postdoctoral studies at Harvard University.
Dr. Ruffin's life-long commitment to academic excellence and the promotion of numerous partnerships with government, private industry, and academic institutions to support minority health research and research training has earned him national recognition. He has received the: Samuel L. Kountz Award for his significant contribution to the cause of increasing access and participation by minorities in organ and tissue transplantation; NIH Director's Award; National Hispanic Leadership Award; Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society Award; and National Medical Association Award of Appreciation. Dr. Ruffin is also the recipient of a Special Recognition Award by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and, most recently, the Presidential Merit Award.
