HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine has named Deborah Koester, Ph.D., program director of its community health division.  She succeeds Richard Crespo, Ph.D., who retired in September.

Koester is an assistant professor in the department of family and community health at the School of Medicine.  She has a doctor of nursing practice in public health, health policy and preparedness from Purdue University and a Ph.D. in public health from Walden University. She has worked with more than 150 state and local health departments and community coalitions on population and community health improvement efforts and collaborated with health care systems on community-based initiatives, supporting development, implementation and evaluation of harm reduction programs.

“We are honored to have Dr. Koester fill this position,” said Adam M. Franks, M.D, vice chair of the department of family and community health. “We also wish Dr. Crespo the best as he embarks on new adventures in his life.”

Crespo served as community health division director for more than 30 years and led community-based efforts to improve diabetes care for vulnerable and underserved populations in the Appalachian region.

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Date Posted: Monday, October 12, 2020