January 10, 2006

Retired DMC/WSU Community Health Institutes executive dies

Dr. John B. (Jay) Waller, Jr., a recently retired senior vice president for urban and community health for the Detroit Medical Center/Wayne State University Community Health Institutes, passed away on Thursday, January 5, 2006.

Visitation will be held Thursday, January 12, 2006 from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. at the Stinson Funeral Home,

16540 Meyers Rd. in Detroit. Funeral services will be held Friday, January 13, 2006 starting with the Family Hour from 10- 11 a.m. and the funeral at 11 a.m. at Second Ebenezer Baptist Church, 2760 E. Grand Blvd. in Detroit.

Dr. Waller had also served as chairman of the Wayne State University School of Medicine department of community medicine, director of the Wayne State University Institute for Maternal and Child Health, and director of the Division for the Prevention and Control of Interpersonal Violence at Wayne State University .

He earned a master\'s degree in public health and a doctorate from the University of Michigan School of Public Health. His experiences in university-level instruction and public health administration were distinguished by an emphasis in the epidemiologic characterization and the prevention and control of urban population-based problems in interpersonal violence, homelessness and health, in general, maternal-child health issues, chronic and disabling conditions, minority health, and survey research.

He served as a public health professional for more than 40 years including directing the departments of health in Detroit, Michigan, and Newark, New Jersey . He also lent his expertise to numerous organizations charged with studying urban health, health planning, and health care.

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 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.

A most dedicated public servant, Dr. Waller was the recipient of many honors and awards including Wayne State University ’s Distinguished Service and Pathfinders awards.

"Jay defined the words ‘principle\' and ‘humanity\' and ‘academic excellence,\'” said Dr. Herb Smitherman, associate chair, Wayne State University department of community medicine, who had known Dr. Waller since 1986 and who had the “privilege to report to him” since 1996. “But his loving heart was his truest wisdom.”

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.