Schaffner honored for public health teaching, advocacy
The Association for Prevention Teaching and Research (APTR) presented Vanderbilt's William Schaffner, M.D., professor and chair of Preventive Medicine, with the APTR Duncan Clark Award on March 18 at the Washington Marriott Hotel in Washington, D.C.
William Schaffner, M.D.
Named after Duncan W. Clark, M.D., a founding member of the association, the award is presented to a senior-level person with a distinguished record of achievement in the areas of teaching, research and advocacy in the field of prevention and public health.
It is the organization's highest recognition.
“I am honored to bring this recognition to Vanderbilt on behalf of all our excellent faculty here and at the Tennessee Department of Health who are dedicated to teaching in our MPH program as well as teaching preventive medicine to our medical students. I am very proud of their accomplishments,” said Schaffner, who was nominated for the award by Walter Smalley, M.D.
Like Schaffner, Clark was an American public health expert and preventive medicine specialist.
He is best known for advocating that fluoride be added to New York City's water supply to prevent tooth decay.
The APTR is the professional organization for the academic public health community dedicated to prevention research and interprofessional education. APTR advances population-based and public health education, research and service by linking and supporting members from across the health professions.