Announcing Dr. Alonzo Plough as our 2026 SPH Hooding Ceremony guest speaker
We are pleased to announce that Dr. Alonzo Plough, Chief Science Officer and Vice President at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, will be our guest speaker at this year’s 2026 OHSU-PSU School of Public Health Hooding Ceremony. The ceremony will take place on June 5th 2026, at the Oregon Convention Center.
Dr. Plough is a distinguished leader whose career bridges high-level academic research and frontline public health practice. His presence marks a significant occasion for our graduating class, offering the perspective of a leader who has spent decades advancing health equity.
A Legacy of Leadership and Innovation
Since joining the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in 2014, Dr. Plough has helped align one of the nation’s largest health-focused philanthropies with the best available evidence to advance health equity. His work includes overseeing initiatives that surface innovative ideas and global solutions to address pressing health challenges in the United States.
Prior to his leadership at the Foundation, Dr. Plough served in key public health roles, including:
- Director of Emergency Preparedness and Response for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
- Director and Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County
- Director of Public Health for the City of Boston
Academic Excellence and Advocacy
Dr. Plough has also contributed extensively to academia, including holding a Clinical Professor appointment at the University of Washington and teaching at Harvard, Tufts, and Boston University. He is an accomplished author and editor of multiple books, including Necessary Conversations: Understanding Racism as a Barrier to Achieving Health Equity.
We extend our gratitude to Dr. Alonzo Plough for joining us and look forward to the insights he will share with the OHSU-PSU community during this important milestone.