Meet New SPH Leadership
Meeting Dr. Babatunde Olowokure
“Educating, innovating, and leading with purpose”
We are delighted to welcome Dr. Babatunde Olowokure as the new Associate Dean for Global Health and Professor in the Division of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences at the School of Public Health.
Dr. Olowokure is an internationally respected global health leader with more than 35 years of experience dedicated to public health, infectious disease epidemiology, emergency preparedness, and global health security. Most recently, he served as the Regional Emergency Director for the World Health Organization (WHO) in the Western Pacific Region, where he played a key role in pandemic preparedness, emergency responses, and advising on health security strategies, and worked closely with over 35 member states. He is a medical doctor and holds advanced degrees in medicine, public health, and business administration. He is a fellow of the UK Faculty of Public Health, and a Visiting Professor at the Australia National University.
Over the course of his distinguished career, Dr. Olowokure has held senior leadership roles at WHO headquarters and in regional offices, including posts in Fiji, Geneva, Manila, and Viet Nam. He was also the inaugural Director of Surveillance Disease Prevention and Control at the Caribbean Public Health Agency. He has played a vital role in global preparedness, readiness, and response to health emergencies such as SARS, COVID-19, avian influenza, H1N1 pandemic, Ebola, and numerous natural disasters. In addition to his work in the field, he has contributed extensively to public health education and capacity building, leading the establishment of postgraduate training programs and field epidemiology programs.
Dr. Olowokure is also an accomplished scholar, with nearly 100 peerreviewed publications and significant contributions to global health policy and strategy. He is widely recognized for his service and impact, receiving honors from governments and institutions.
Dr. Olowokure shared his enthusiasm for the journey ahead: “I am excited and privileged to be here among such distinguished colleagues and to begin this new chapter in my global health journey. As I transition into this new role, I bring with me a passion for global health, a diverse set of experiences, and strong networks. I look forward to contributing to our shared mission — educating, innovating, and leading with purpose.”
We are excited to have Dr. Olowokure join our community. In his new role, he will help shape our School’s global health vision, foster new international collaborations, and support global research and training initiatives. His leadership and global perspective will be instrumental in preparing the next generation of public health professionals.
Meeting Dr. Michele L. McCay
“Without relationships, your ideas are just ideas.”
The UIC School of Public Health is pleased to welcome Dr. Michele L. McCay, DrPH ‘11, MPH ‘00, who has been appointed Interim Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs. Her career has spanned public health practice, leadership, and teaching, always rooted in a passion for prevention, health promotion, and community well-being.
For nearly 25 years, Dr. McCay has led public health initiatives that focus on addressing leadership and administrative needs to best improve public health and maternal and child health outcomes. With time spent at the Cook County Department of Public Health and DePaul University before returning to UIC SPH, Dr. McCay learned that all roles have “a common throughline—relationships and leadership.”
Her varied experiences—from directing nonprofit programs to leading projects “Without relationships, your ideas are just ideas.” at the county and state level—have shaped her leadership philosophy. “Relationships are critical to the success of our work in public health; without relationships, your ideas are just ideas,” she explains. “Similarly, leadership necessitates connection to your team; without it, you will all struggle to accomplish your goals.”
Since 2022, she has focused on teaching at UIC SPH for both undergraduate and graduate students, with a particular interest in demonstrating the skills of teaching excellence within university faculty and staff. A 2022 and 2025 Golden Apple Award winner, Dr. McCay enjoys teaching as well as exploring both the art and science of teaching.
As Interim Assistant Dean, Dr. McCay is committed to advancing SPH’s mission and vision. She sees Academic Affairs as a leader in excellence in teaching and learning, driving innovative, evidencebased approaches to curriculum, accreditation, and faculty development. She is particularly dedicated to inclusive teaching practices that make learning accessible and engaging for all students.
Looking ahead, she is energized by the possibilities. “While we are experiencing some of the most challenging times of our field, we are also honing strategic, innovative, and resilient skills like never before.”