Visionary Leader in Public Health
Dr. Ashish Joshi is an inspirational public health leader who believes public health is a calling and a mission, not a job. A population health informatics researcher, he combines clinical medicine, public health, and informatics to design human-centered, technology-enabled interventions that drive community impact across the globe.
With experience across more than 24 countries, Dr. Joshi has implemented digital health innovations in the US, India, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Haiti, Egypt, Brazil, and beyond. He has secured over $40 million in career grant funding and authored more than 150 peer-reviewed publications.
He has established research centers, created interdisciplinary and global engagement divisions, expanded scholarships to nearly $500,000 annually, supported APHA membership for all students, developed SPH MATCH alumni mentoring network, and launched Dean Grand Rounds and the "RE-AIM Public Health IDEAS" magazine to elevate academic excellence and student success.
He is the author of the first textbook on Population Health Informatics and has led training programs that have built research capacity among more than 1,000 learners globally.
Leadership Journey
Dean, School of Public Health
University of Memphis
- Transformed UofM SPH with SPH CARES framework.
- Achieved 19% enrollment growth.
- 400%+ increase in research funding ($2M → $27M).
- Established two federally funded centers.
- Created new academic divisions and pathway programs.
- Strengthened experiential learning and career services through REAP.
- Expanded scholarships and student awards.
- Unified PHSA.
- Launched alumni network and mentoring initiatives.
Founding Faculty & Senior Director
CUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy
- Key architect in establishing CUNY SPH as an independent school.
- Launched first Population Health Informatics programs.
- Led NYC Test & Trace Resource Navigator ($10M contract).
- Awarded inaugural CUNY SPH Legacy Award.
- Received NYC Test & Trace Distinguished Service Award.
Founder – SMAART Model & Foundation of Healthcare Technologies Society
- Conceptualized the SMAART framework.
- Established multilingual digital health platforms impacting thousands globally.
- Launched first PhD in Population Health Informatics in South Asia.
- Expanded global collaborations in Portugal, India, Malta, China, and Jordan.
- Established the first Public Health Diplomacy Lab.
- Advanced public health education through IEARN integration reaching 140 countries.
The SMAART Model of Population Health
A revolutionary human-centered framework integrating behavioral, learning, and information processing theories to achieve Sustainable Development Goals through data-driven, evidence-informed, multisector collaboration.
Transformative Achievements at University of Memphis
400%+ Research Growth
From $2M to over $27M in two years
Faculty Expansion
From 18 to 32 accomplished faculty members
New Academic Programs
All graduate programs STEM-designated BS to MS accelerated pathways,
New MS Biostatistics, MHA Online, Population Health Informatics Minor & Certificate.
Global Leadership
Nation’s first Public Health Diplomacy Lab
UN Academic Impact Partner
IEARN-approved curriculum reaching 140 countries
Community Impact
UPLIFT initiative with multisector partnerships,
Shelby County Health Dept, schools, courts,
SPH CARES 2023-2028 Strategic Plan