Dr. John B. (Jay) Waller, Jr., one of the nation's first researchers to treat interpersonal violence as a public health issue and a committed member of the WSU faculty for more than 20 years, died Thursday, Jan. 5. He was 69.
Dr. Waller, a former chair of the WSU Department of Community Health, established the WSU Center for Prevention and Control of Interpersonal Violence, the first center of its kind in the United States. He was widely considered a pioneer in the treatment of interpersonal violence as a public-health issue.
"Jay defined the words 'principal' and 'humanity' and 'academic excellence,'" said Dr. Herb Smitherman, associate chairman of the WSU Department of Community Medicine, who had known Dr. Waller since 1986 and worked with him since 1996. "But his loving heart was his truest wisdom."
During the 1980s, Detroit and other urban centers around the country were experiencing violent crimes in record numbers. Dr. Waller redefined the phenomenon as a true health epidemic, rather than a societal problem intrinsic to poor, inner-city areas. His work had lasting impact within both the medical community and public policy arena.
Dr. Waller filled many other important roles within the WSU School of Medicine and Detroit Medical Center, including senior vice president for urban and community health for the Detroit Medical Center/WSU Community Health Institutes and director of the Wayne State University Institute for Maternal and Child Health.
A former director of the Detroit Health Department, Dr. Waller played a critical role in forming the partnership that created Detroit Receiving Hospital and the University Health Center. Ed Thomas, who served as president of DRH at the time, said in 1991 that the enterprise "to a great extent ... owes its inception and survival to his stewardship."
Dr. Waller earned a master's degree in public health and a doctorate from the University of Michigan School of Public Health. From 1999 through 2000, he was vice president of the American Public Health Association. He served as chairman of the Detroit Empowerment Zone Corporation and president of the Council of Graduate Programs in Preventive Medicine. He also held several voluntary board memberships, including chairman of the board of Greater Detroit Area Health Council and chairman of the board of the Detroit Community Health Connection, which operates several community health centers.
Dr. Waller was the recipient of many honors and awards, including the WSU Distinguished Service Award and the Pathfiders in Medicine Award.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 12, in the Stinson Funeral Home, 16540 Meyers Road, in Detroit. The funeral will be at 11 a.m., Friday, Jan. 13, in Second Ebenezer Baptist Church, 2760 E. Grand Blvd., in Detroit.
Condolence cards may be sent to Mrs. Micki Waller, 19530 Canterbury Road, Detroit, Mich. 48221. Donations may also be forwarded to Dr. John B. Waller, Jr., Student Award for Academic Excellence in Public Health Practice, Department of Community Medicine, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4201 St. Antoine - 9D UHC, Detroit, Michigan 48201.