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SPH Dean and Faculty Member Appointed to Mayor-Elect Mickell Lowery's Public Health Transition Working Group

Wednesday, 26 August 2026

The School of Public Health is pleased to announce that SPH Dean and Distinguished Professor Ashish Joshi, PhD, MBBS, MPH and SPH Associate Professor of Health Systems Management and Policy (HSMP), Courtnee Melton-Fant, PhD, MS have been appointed to serve on the Public Health Working Group of Shelby County Mayor-Elect Mickell Lowery's One Shelby Transition Team. The transition initiative brings together recognized leaders and subject matter experts from across the region to provide strategic guidance and evidence-informed recommendations that will help shape the priorities of the incoming county administration.

Dean Joshi and Dr. Melton-Fant join a distinguished group of healthcare, public health, and community leaders charged with examining critical health challenges and opportunities facing Shelby County. As a nationally recognized scholar and leader in public health innovation, health equity, population health, and digital health transformation, he will contribute his expertise to advancing strategies that improve health outcomes, strengthen community well-being, and address the social and structural determinants of health. The Public Health Working Group is one of nine focus areas established by the transition team to support the development of a comprehensive strategic framework for county governance.

Mayor-Elect Lowery's One Shelby transition effort is grounded in principles of collaboration, transparency, and community engagement. Through a series of working groups and stakeholder consultations, the transition team seeks to gather diverse perspectives and develop actionable recommendations across key policy domains, including public health, workforce development, education, economic growth, fiscal stability, housing and neighborhoods, sustainability and environment, justice system reform, and early childhood education.

The appointments of Dean Joshi and Dr. Melton-Fant reflect the School of Public Health's commitment to translating academic expertise into meaningful public service and community impact. His participation underscores the vital role that academic public health institutions play in informing policy, fostering cross-sector partnerships, and advancing evidence-based solutions to complex population health challenges.

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