The Association for Prevention Teaching and Research (APTR) is deeply saddened to share the passing of Lloyd F. Novick, MD, MPH, a visionary leader whose contributions to public health education and practice will be felt for generations.

Within APTR, Dr. Novick’s leadership as a Past President left a lasting impact on our community. His contributions to APTR’s teaching and curriculum resources (including leading the development of the widely used APTR Enhancing Prevention and Population Health Modules) continue to support the integration of prevention and population health into academic programs nationwide. In 2004, APTR honored Dr. Novick with its prestigious Duncan Clark Award, recognizing his outstanding contributions to public health education, leadership, and service.

Dr. Novick’s career spanned decades of service as a physician, educator, editor, and mentor. He was widely recognized for his commitment to strengthening the field of public health through both scholarship and practice. He served as founding editor of the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice (JPHMP), where his leadership established a trusted platform for advancing public health knowledge, policy, and practice. He served as Editor-in-Chief for more than two decades, retiring in January of this year.

Dr. Novick began his career in the U.S. Public Health Service, serving in both local and state health departments. Early on, he distinguished himself by directing public health programs that strengthened systems of care and laid the groundwork for population-based approaches to health management. Dr. Novick held leadership roles in governmental public health, where he championed community health initiatives and population-based management. He was widely recognized for integrating evidence-based practice into public health administration—an approach that would shape the next generation of public health leaders

In the 2000s, Dr. Novick transitioned to academic leadership as the founding Chair of the Department of Public Health at the Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University. There, he developed new programs in population health and mentored countless students, residents, and junior faculty. His academic appointments also included roles at the University at Albany School of Public Health and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Dr. Novick co-authored Public Health Administration: Principles for Population-Based Management, now in its fourth edition, and authored numerous publications that have influenced public health practice and curricula across the country. Throughout his career, he was honored for his leadership, service, and dedication to advancing public health education.

His foresight and dedication helped ensure that prevention and population health education remain central to training future health professionals. Dr. Novick’s enduring legacy is reflected in the many programs, publications, and people shaped by his work. APTR honors his extraordinary contributions and extends heartfelt condolences to his family, colleagues, and the broader public health community.

Since 1993, APTR offered rotations for preventive medicine and primary care residents with the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) Program, based at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). The clinical preventive medicine rotation at AHRQ provided an in-depth experience in the process of developing evidence-based recommendations. Residents worked closely with AHRQ staff and USPSTF members on a variety of activities, such as: participating in scoping of clinical preventive services (CPS) topics; researching information on epidemiology and burden of preventable conditions addressed by CPS; reviewing and summarizing external comments on draft recommendations; researching positions of other organizations; and editing and finalizing recommendations and rationale statements. Other projects involved developing implementation materials for USPSTF recommendations aimed at patients, clinicians, health plans, employers or policy makers. Residents had the opportunity to participate in a variety of AHRQ meetings, conferences and seminars, including the USPSTF meetings and virtual calls with USPSTF members, as well as didactic teaching and journal club sessions focusing on current issues and updates in clinical preventive medicine and evidence-based research.

Residents rated the experiences and training components highly and nearly all reported an increase in their desire to work in governmental public health. Residents appreciated the preceptor support, opportunities to develop specialized skills, the direct public health experience, and opportunities to interact with leading experts in the field.  

Due to decisions of the current administration, this program is paused indefinitely.

To view past resident reflections visit:  www.aptrweb.org/projects

To read resident testimonials, visit:  www.aptrweb.org/AHRQ_Testimonials