UAA Appoints Dr. Jay Butler as Dean of the College of Health
UAA Appoints Dr. Jay Butler as Dean of the College of Health
Renowned public health leader and former CDC deputy director leads UAA’s health education mission
ANCHORAGE, Alaska —The University of Alaska Anchorage is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Jay Butler as the next dean of the College of Health, effective December 28, 2025.
His distinguished career in public health and infectious disease includes deep ties to Alaska’s health landscape. Dr. Butler previously served as Alaska’s chief medical officer and State Epidemiologist, as well as chief of the Section of Epidemiology within the Division of Public Health from 2007-2009. He directed the Arctic Investigations Program for the National Center for Infectious Diseases at the CDC. Dr. Butler also served as senior director for Community Health Services at Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium and an infectious diseases clinician at Alaska Native Medical Center from 2010 to 2014. In addition to his leadership roles, Dr. Butler served as an affiliate professor in UAA’s WWAMI School of Medical Education from 2008-2019, where he helped shape the next generation of Alaska’s healthcare professionals.
A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (doctor of medicine) and North Carolina State University (bachelor of science in Zoology), Dr. Butler has devoted his career to serving the public good through medicine. He’s nationally recognized for his extensive work and research and brings years of essential knowledge about Alaska’s unique public health environment.
“Dr. Butler joins UAA at an exciting time for our university,” said UAA Provost Denise Runge. “His leadership and commitment to Alaska will be instrumental in strengthening UAA’s position as the state’s designated health university. We are thrilled to welcome him into a role supported by a strong team of faculty, staff and leaders within the College of Health.”
Dr. Butler will lead efforts to expand UAA’s impact in preparing the next generation of healthcare providers, researchers and advocates.
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For more information, contact Catalina Myers, Communications and Public Relations Manager, at 907-786-1979 (Office), 907-301-9528 (cell) or via email at cmmyers4@alaska.edu.
