Dean Billy Oglesby has announced that Natasha Williams, EdD, MPH, MSW, will become the inaugural Humana Professor of Community Health and Equity at Jefferson College of Population Health, effective August 1, 2026.
Dr. Williams is a nationally recognized scholar in social, behavioral, and implementation science research, with a sustained focus on developing and evaluating evidence-based interventions that address health disparities at both the individual and community levels.
"This is an amazing opportunity for our College and the University as a whole to have an endowed position dedicated to impactful health equity research," said Oglesby. "We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Williams to the College."
Dr. Williams brings an incredible track record of leadership and scholarship including securing continuous federal funding for more than a decade as a principal investigator and co-investigator, building a robust and impactful research portfolio designed to address health disparities and advance health equity. An accomplished scholar, Dr. Williams has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and scholarly works. She is widely respected for her rigorous approach to community-engaged research and has served on numerous local and national advisory committees.
In 2021, Dr. Williams launched a nationally recognized maternal health program supported by a $12 million research initiative funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Now known as Just Mothers, the ongoing New York City-based program reflects her scientific rigor, collaborative leadership, and deep commitment to improving maternal health outcomes and reducing health disparities.
Prior to joining Jefferson, Dr. Williams served on the faculty of the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, breaking barriers as the first African American woman in the Department of Population Health to attain the rank of Associate Professor. During her tenure at NYU, she also served as the inaugural Graduate Advisor for the PhD Program in Biomedical Sciences, demonstrating her longstanding commitment to mentorship, and the cultivation of future scholars.
Dr. Williams received a competitive K23 Career Development Award in Patient-Oriented Research from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, and earning national recognition from organizations like the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the American Psychosomatic Society, and the United States Long COVID Coordination Council's Office of Long COVID Research and Practice.
At Jefferson, Dr. Williams will continue to expand high-impact research collaborations and advance initiatives aligned with the mission of the College. "I am delighted to join the Jefferson College of Population Health," said Dr. Williams. "I look forward to developing and strengthening partnerships that create meaningful change and improve health outcomes for communities across the region."