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MCW Office of Global Health
Laura Cassidy, MS, PhD

Laura Cassidy, MS, PhD

Associate Dean for Global Health

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Biography

Dr. Cassidy is a Professor of Epidemiology with over 20 years of experience in education, research, collaboration, and academic leadership. She holds an MS in Biostatistics and a PhD in Epidemiology from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health.

At the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), Dr. Cassidy currently serves as Director of the Institute for Health & Humanity and Associate Dean of Global Health. She is also a 2018 graduate fellow of the prestigious Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM) program.

Over the years, she has held several key leadership roles at MCW, including:

  • Founding Director of the MS in Global Health Equity program
  • Director of the PhD program in Public & Community Health
  • Director of the Division of Epidemiology and Social Sciences
  • Director of Pediatric Surgical Research

Dr. Cassidy is dedicated to advancing health and well-being both locally and globally through transdisciplinary collaboration, mentorship, and strategic partnerships. Her research spans pediatric surgery, traumatic injury, Native American health, resilience, global health, and occupational and environmental epidemiology. She has authored over 140 publications and led numerous research projects funded by HRSA, EMSC, NIH, AHW, RWJF, and other major donors.

Her global health work includes conducting occupational epidemiology studies in Russia and Northern Ireland. She has contributed to the development of trauma registries in both Haiti and Nigeria. Additionally, she has established longstanding partnerships in countries such as Nigeria, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Nepal and currently serves on the Board of Directors for Health Builders in Rwanda.

In recognition of her contributions, Dr. Cassidy has received multiple honors, including the Marcus Performing Arts Center’s Dynamic Leadership Award and the Wisconsin Public Health Association’s 2021 Distinguished Service to Public Health Award.

Publications