It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Lloyd F. Novick, the founding editor of the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice (JPHMP) who retired as editor-in-chief in January 2025 after 30 years of service to the journal and more than four decades of service to the field of public health.

Dr. Novick was a visionary leader, a dedicated public health advocate, and a mentor to countless professionals across the field. His commitment to advancing public health practice through rigorous scholarship and thoughtful editorial leadership laid the foundation for what JPHMP is today—a trusted source of evidence-based guidance for practitioners, policymakers, and researchers.

Over the course of his robust career, Dr. Novick held leadership positions in state and local public health agencies, including District Health Officer for Central Harlem and Washington Heights; Executive Medical Director for Correctional Health Services and Deputy Commissioner at the New York City Department of Health; Health Commissioner and Secretary of Health Services for the State of Vermont; Director of the Arizona Department of Health Services; Director of the Center for Community Health, Director of the Office of Public Health, and First Deputy Commissioner of New York State Department of Health; and Commissioner of Health for Onondaga County in Syracuse, New York. Additionally, he held prominent academic positions alongside his leadership roles, including appointments at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, University at Albany (SUNY) School of Public Health, Northeast Center for Public Health in Medical Education, University of Vermont College of Medicine, University of Arizona, SUNY Upstate Medical University, and Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, where he contributed to teaching, research, and public health policy development. He published widely in peer-reviewed journals such as the American Journal of Public Health and Medical Care, among many others, addressing ranging topics from childhood lead poisoning, tuberculosis control, and correctional health to environmental exposures, immunization strategies, and HIV/AIDS prevention. His work consistently combined rigorous epidemiologic research with practical policy applications, advancing preventive medicine and public health administration.

As the journal’s founding editor, Dr. Novick championed the importance of applied public health research and created a platform where the voices of public health professionals could be heard, their work recognized, and their impact amplified. His editorial vision emphasized clarity, relevance, and accessibility, ensuring that the journal served not only academics but also those working on the frontlines of public health.

Beyond his editorial contributions, Dr. Novick was known for his warmth, generosity, and unwavering belief in the power of public health to improve lives. His legacy lives on in the journal he helped build, the professionals he mentored, and the communities he served.

“Dr. Novick was a mentor and friend of so many of his peers and junior colleagues in public health, including me for almost 20 years,” stated Dr. Justin B. Moore, current editor-in-chief of JPHMP. “His impact to the field through his mentorship, sponsorship, and support is immeasurable. He will be dearly missed by everyone to whom he generously gave his time and wisdom.”

Members of the journal staff and editorial board extend our heartfelt condolences to Dr. Novick’s wife, Carole, as well as their children, grandchildren, other family, friends, and colleagues. His contributions to public health will continue to inspire generations to come.

In honor of Dr. Novick’s legacy, we invite readers to share their memories, reflections, and tributes in the comments below.