Sue Curry, PhD

Sue Curry, PhD, was appointed Dean of the University of Iowa College of Public Health and Distinguished Professor in the Department of Health Management and Policy in 2008.

Prior to joining the College of Public Health, Dr. Curry served as professor of health policy and administration and director of the Institute for Health Research and Policy in the School of Public Health at the University of Illinois at Chicago. From the late-1980s until joining UIC in 2001, she was professor of health services in the School of Public Health and Community Medicine at the University of Washington and senior investigator and director at the Center for Health Studies, Group Health Cooperative. She also served as a scientist in the country’s first Cancer Prevention Research Unit at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle.

Dr. Curry is recognized internationally for her expertise in behavioral science and translation of research findings into health policy. Her bibliography includes over 200 publications. Her extensive research in chronic disease prevention and management includes studies of tobacco cessation, dietary change, modification of risky drinking patterns and methods of increasing compliance with recommended cancer screening. Dr. Curry’s research also encompasses studies of the use and cost effectiveness of prevention treatments under different health insurance plans, and health care costs and utilization associated with tobacco cessation.

She has served as a principal investigator or co-investigator on 30 grants funded by NIH, CDC, and major foundations. Dr. Curry is a member of the Institute of Medicine and a fellow of both the Society of Behavioral Medicine and the American Psychological Association. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including the American Society for Preventive Oncology’s Joseph R. Cullen Memorial Award in 2000 and the Society of Behavioral Medicine’s Distinguished Scientist Award in 2001. Dr. Curry’s many professional activities include service on the Board of Directors of the American Legacy Foundation and as a member of the US Preventive Services Task Force.