Adam London
Adam London, who guided the Kent County Health Department through the pandemic and led the community-wide response, is sharing what he learned with the next generation of public health officers at Ferris State University.
London was named an assistant professor in Ferris State’s College of Health Professions, teaching asynchronous, virtual classes in public health in addition to continuing his ongoing duties for Kent County.
He said this new work feels like a homecoming.
“This campus and this community are priceless to me,” he said with a smile. “I spent many, many days of my life in the VFS Building during the mid-90s as a Ferris State student. In fact, as a Big Rapids native, I remember watching that building being constructed in the late 70s. My parents and grandparents would sometimes park nearby and let me watch the cranes and heavy equipment.”
London said he’s had the chance over the past decade or so to teach in other settings, including at the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Grand Valley State University, and those experiences helped him realize the joy he found in mentoring young professionals.
When the opportunity arose to do that work for his alma mater, he couldn’t pass it up. Beyond that, he said, he saw a chance to give back to his profession.
“The public health workforce is experiencing a unique dilemma coming out of the pandemic,” he said. “Many long-term public health workers have retired or resigned prematurely due to the stresses placed upon them. Almost half of the workforce has turned over since COVID arrived in 2020. We are now seeing an influx of young professionals who are embracing the challenge of public health in the post-COVID world. Helping this next generation of professionals be successful is very exciting for me.”
The Kent County Health Department is responsible for continually assessing the health of the community and ensuring services are available and accessible. The department investigates the causes of disease, epidemics, morbidity and mortality, and environmental health hazards using vital and health statistics for epidemiological studies.
The department also plans and implements public education and enforces public health laws.
Ferris State, he added, is especially well positioned to empower the public health workforce via its asynchronous and virtual Master’s of Public Health program.
And he hopes his own experiences in public health, including more than 25 years with local health departments – 13 at the Kent County Health department- past presidency of the National Environmental Health Association and more, will also benefit Ferris State students.
“I have fresh stories and examples to share with my students on an ongoing basis,” he said. “I also have an extensive list of professional contacts I can refer students to for internships and practicum, job shadowing, projects, employment and other opportunities.”
He’ll benefit, he added, from his dual roles as scholar and practitioner.
“The mission of public health is central to who I am and all I do, in every role,” he said. “Over the years, I have found that teaching makes me a better practitioner. Teaching refines, expands and strengthens my command of the subject matter. It also makes me a better communicator and leader. Likewise, the experience of practicing public health makes me an effective instructor.”
London was saluted as an EH Hero in the Time of COVID-19 by the National Environmental Health Association in 2020. He coordinated efforts that included law enforcement, homeless shelters, retail stores, hospitals, pharmacies, philanthropy, public transportation, campgrounds, hotels, faith-based organizations, media, universities, and others.
Emmanuel Jadhav, who heads up the program, said adding London to the instructional mix was an easy call.
“For one,” he said, “Adam is a Bulldog.”
Beyond that, Jadhav added, getting someone of London’s caliber and expertise is sure to benefit Ferris State public health students. “Students will have direct access to a professional who represents the best of public health practice,” he said.
London has a doctorate in Public Health, a Master of Public Administration and earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Health Management at Ferris State in 1998.
As the executive director of the Kent County Health Department, he oversees approximately
260 employees and a $33 million budget.
This story was reported by Phil de Haan for Ferris State University.