Peter Fos, DDS, PhD, MPH

Peter J. Fos, D.D.S., Ph.D., M.P.H is an internationally recognized decision scientist and health care administration educator. He currently holds the position of Professor and Program Director of Health Policy and Systems Management at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, School of Public Health. Dr. Fos begun his current position on April 1, 2011.

Prior to beginning his position at the School of Public Health, Dr. Fos held administrative positions in institutions of higher learning. He served as Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at The University of Texas at Tyler (UT Tyler) from June 2008 until April 2011. Additionally, he held the academic rank of Professor of Health Sciences at UT Tyler, and was the holder of holder of the Sam A. Lindsey Endowed Chair which is awarded to a recognized scholar in an academic discipline that is of strategic importance to the University. He began his position at UT Tyler after serving for four years as Dean of the College of Health at The University of Southern Mississippi (Southern Miss) for four years. As Dean at Southern Miss, he had the responsibility for undergraduate and graduate programs in the School of Nursing, the School of Social Work, the School of Human Performance and Recreation, the Department of Community Health, the Department of Medical Technology, the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, and the Department of Nutrition and Food Systems. At Southern Miss Dr. Fos led a College of more than 3,100 students and 335 full-time and part-time faculty and staff. He managed a $25.5M annual budget, which included $16M of external grant funding. During his time at Southern Miss funding from external grants and contracts in his college increased 400%, from less than $4M to $16M.

Dr. Fos has also held positions at the University of Nevada Las Vegas and Tulane University. He spent 17 years at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical as a professor, program director, research center director, and assistant dean. Dr. Fos has experience in public health practice, having served as Senior Deputy to the State Health officer and Chief Science Officer at the Mississippi State Department of Health from January 2003 until June 2004.

Dr. Fos currently holds an Adjunct Professor appointment at the University of Alabama-Birmingham School of Health Related Professions, and is a Visiting Scholar at the Medical University of South Carolina, College of Health Professions. In addition to his current position, Dr. Fos has held tenured faculty positions at the Tulane University, The University of Texas at Tyler, The University of Southern Mississippi, and University of Nevada Las Vegas.

Dr. Fos received a Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) degree from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Dentistry, a Ph.D. in Health Care Decision Analysis from Tulane University Graduate School, and a Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) in Health Systems Management from Tulane University Health Sciences Center School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. His undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences is from the University of New Orleans. Prior to beginning his career in academics and public health practice, Dr. Fos practiced general dentistry for ten years in the Metropolitan New Orleans area.

Dr. Fos has been honored by receiving recognition for teaching and scholarship. At Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine he has received the Excellence in Teaching Award and the Executive Education Programs Outstanding Faculty Award. He has received the Tulane University Health Sciences Center Senior Vice-President’s Teaching Scholar Award. He was inducted into the Society of Teaching Scholars. Tulane University’s President recognized Dr. Fos on two occasions with the Presidential Senior Faculty Teaching Award in a Graduate Program or Professional School and the Presidential Dissertation Director Award in a Graduate Program or Professional School.

Dr. Fos has participated in more than $6.5M of externally funded research projects. He has written more than 50 peer-reviewed journal articles and technical reports in state, regional, national, and international scholarly journals. He has written several book chapters and three books related to public health and health care administration. He has made more than 50 peer-reviewed and invited presentations at state, regional, national, and international meetings.

Dr. Fos has been very active in community service. He currently serves on the National Center for Spectator Sport Safety and Security Advisory Board. He previously served as a member of the Board of Directors of St. Luke’s Episcopal Health Charities, the Tyler Texas P-16 Council Executive Board, and the Mississippi Tobacco Prevention Advisory Council.