Faculty & Staff

A quarter-century is a long time to serve at one institution, but for colleagues at the Mailman School, it's not nearly long enough if your name is Andrew Davidson. To honor Andy on the occasion of his imminent departure for the Provost's office as the University's Vice Provost, Momentum staff asked a few close colleagues—past and present—for some anecdotes and comments that capture the inimitable qualities of our departing Executive Vice Dean.
Here are a few:

From Sherry Glied, Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and former Department Chair of Health Policy and Management:
"Andy has a perpetual gleam in his eye. A Scot, with his heart in Greece, Andy thinks it's better to be happy above all else. A lover of good jokes with a penchant for living life to its fullest are what comes to mind when we speak of Andy. Trust and friendship are also at the top of the list. Never to betray a confidence, you can trust Andy with anything.

The word "mensch" best describes Andy. He's a shoulder to cry on and always lends a sympathetic ear. He listens carefully and always takes the time to talk things over with you and think thoroughly through the options. You can depend on Andy to come up with the best ways to get at a problem.

"But more than just a sympathetic ear and a solver of problems, Andy has tremendous respect for everyone with whom he comes in contact. At the Mailman School he created an atmosphere that values people and relationships. Andy is, most of all, a wonderful friend.

"Finally, we cannot tell the full story of Andy without mentioning the way he reads aloud the names of students at Commencement and calls them to the podium. He does his homework thoroughly, even confirming with other members of the department to make sure he gets the pronunciation exactly right. With a strong voice and every syllable enunciated, each graduate is made to feel so special, almost as if he or she is the only one receiving a diploma that day."

From Bill Van Wie, former Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Professor Emeritus:
"Andy enjoys the absurdity of things. I remember once, when we were in the final hours of preparing to submit accreditation papers, there was a copier machine malfunction and our carefully collated papers started spewing in every direction. In desperation, we started reading the user's manual aloud. The instructions sounded ridiculous and nonsensical, especially at that late hour. We laughed uncontrollably for about 20 minutes.

"Andy is that kind of guy and it was his wonderful sense of humor that diffused this situation and many others like it. And when the School passed accreditation with flying colors, it was Andy to whom other schools of public health turned for consultation.

"On the more serious side, Andy is an inspiration to all faculty, new students and staff. No one else runs at the speed of Andy. He was one of only a handful of people to receive a perfect score on his NIH technical review. He's as bright as they come and works harder than anybody I know, and yet, it's never about Andy. If there's a sticky situation, we always just felt better and could breathe easier once we knew Andy was on it."

From Maria Enriquez, Administrative Assistant to the Executive Dean for six years:
"Everybody talks about his integrity, his discipline: he's just a wonderful person to work for. But he also has an amazing fashion sense and we've bonded over fashion. He wears wonderful ties, fantastic Prada shoes. In addition to being many other things, Dr. Davidson is an understated fashion diva. He appreciates a great suit, a fantastic skinny tie, and Italian leather shoes."

Andy's style is also expressed in what he drives. Momentum is indebted to Maria for providing the accompanying photo of Dr. Davidson with his 30-year-old BMW—an icon in the School parking lot. The flowers are courtesy of Epi chair Sandro Galea, who sent them to mark the car's 30th "birthday."

From Linda Cushman, Associate Clinical Professor of Population and Family Health.
"Everyone needs someone in their career who believes in them, and gives them opportunities to grow professionally. Andy was that person for me. He hired me while I was still a fledgling 'ABD' [all but dissertation], and I began my career at the Mailman School working wtih Andy on one of his many successful, NIH-funded projects. Today, as Associate Clinical Professor of Population and Family Health, I've had so many opportunities that would not have been possible without Andy's mentorship and support. I've watched him encourage and open doors for countless other colleagues—in his own understated and generous way—and I am honored to call him a colleague and a friend."

Several faculty members note that Andy Davidson has a rare gift for paying tribute to his colleagues on special occasion. As Sherry Glied puts it: "Andy always gives a little something extra that captures the essence of the person so that we come away with a lump in our throat and a clear image of the human being."

It will be Andy's turn to receive tribute at a special celebration on October 28 at 4 PM in Bard Hall Student Lounge (50 Haven Avenue, 1^st Floor). Invitations have been sent by email. Please RSVP by October 25.