Les Beitsch, MD, JD

Leslie M. Beitsch, MD, JD, joined the faculty of the Florida State University College of Medicine in November 2003 as Professor of Health Policy and Director of the Center for Medicine and Public Health. He is currently serving as chair of the university’s Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine.

From June 2001 until November 2003, Dr. Beitsch served as the Commissioner of the Oklahoma State Department of Health. From 1997-2001, he served as Deputy Secretary and Assistant State Health Officer for the Florida Department of Health. He provided guidance and direction for public health programs as well as county health departments, the state laboratory, and pharmacy. Prior to that appointment, Dr. Beitsch served from October 1991 through August 1997 as Assistant State Health Officer and Division Director for Family Health Services, focusing on maternal and child health. From October 1989 through October 1991, Dr. Beitsch was Medical Director of the Broward County Health Department in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

In addition to serving as Chair of PHAB’s Board of Directors, Dr. Beitsch has been an active member in several organizations. Recent interests have focused on accreditation and quality improvement for state and local health departments through the Multi-State Learning Collaborative and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He is also a member of the Executive Committee of the Public Health Accreditation Board. He is past chair of the Board of Directors of the Public Health Foundation and the Public Health Leadership Society. He was the recipient of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials’ 2007 Alumni Award, and the Public Health Foundation’s 2008 Theodore Erwin Award.