BUSM Fellow Wins ACPM Award

BUSM’s Karsten Lunze, MD, MPH, a fellow in the Preventive Medicine Residency program, is the 2012 winner of the American College of Preventive Medicine’s (ACPM) Don Gemson Resident Award. Dr. Lunze received the national award in recognition of outstanding achievement in community service, scholarship, research, teaching and leadership in the field of preventive medicine.

Dr. Lunze is co-founder of a nonprofit organization dedicated to capacity-building in post-conflict settings and is active in global health research, practice and advocacy. He has published on newborn health and on the intersection of health and human rights. Dr. Lunze has taught preventive medicine internationally and has recently received funding for a management and leadership curriculum in the North Caucasus.

A graduate of Charité Medical School, Berlin, Germany and the Harvard School of Public Health, Dr. Lunze is an advocate for breastfeeding within the ACPM. He chaired a dedicated session at this year’s Preventive Medicine Meeting in Orlando, Florida, featuring Miriam H. Labbok, Director of the Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute, and Laurence M. Grummer-Strawn, Chief of the Nutrition Branch at the CDC. The session discussed breastfeeding as prevention starting at birth and advanced new ideas, policies and responsibilities for public health professionals.

Dr. Lunze largely credits the Preventive Medicine Residency Program, and particularly its director Jane Liebschutz, MD, MPH. “Dr Liebschutz is a tremendous role model for me and my peers,” said Lunze at the award banquet held in late February. “Her unparalleled dedication to mentorship has been an incredibly strong support in developing my interests. Dr. Liebschutz’ genuine passion for primary patient care, prevention and public health are a constant source of inspiration for me.”