Our Faculty

John Santelli, MD, MPH, clinical professor and chair of the Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health at the Mailman School of Public Health and professor of clinical Pediatrics (P&S), recently received the 2009 Outstanding Researcher Award from Healthy Teen Network for his contribution in promoting science-based approaches to adolescent pregnancy, parenting, and prevention. He accepted the award at its 30th annual national conference held this past fall in Tampa Florida. 

Founded in 1979, the Healthy Teen Network is a national professional membership organization devoted to making a difference in the lives of teens and young families, focusing especially on adolescent health and well-being with an emphasis on teen pregnancy prevention, teen pregnancy, and teen parenting. It was founded on the belief that youth can make responsible decisions about their sexuality and reproductive health when they have complete, accurate, and culturally relevant information, skills, resources, and support. It is the only national membership network that serves as a comprehensive educational resource to professionals working in the area of adolescent reproductive health.

Professional Achievements

A pediatrician and adolescent medicine specialist, Dr. Santelli previously served as chief of the Applied Sciences Branch in the Division of Reproductive Health at U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He has conducted research on HIV/STD risk behaviors, programs to prevent STD/HIV/unintended pregnancy among adolescents and women, school-based health centers, clinical preventive services, and research ethics. Dr. Santelli has been a national leader in insuring that adolescents are appropriately included in health research and recently co-authored the textbook, “Adolescent Health: Understanding and Preventing Risk Behaviors” (Wiley Publishing imprint). He currently serves as chair of the Science Board of the American Public Health Association.