Community health researcher returns to lead Work Group

Following the August 14 retirement of long-time director Steve Fawcett, Vincent Francisco will head up the Work Group for Community Health and Development and hold the Kansas Health Foundation Professorship in Applied Behavioral Science. 

Francisco previously served as associate director of the Work Group and has been at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro for the last 11 years. At UNCG he was an associate professor in public health education and director of the public health doctoral program. His academic training is in developmental and child psychology.

While in North Carolina Francisco partnered with the Work Group and its World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Community Health and Development. His research interests include community health and development, especially for marginalized groups. He had a major role in the development of the Work Group’s Community Tool Box, which last year was used by more than 5.8 million people around the world.

“I could not be happier to welcome Vince back to the university in this role,” said John Colombo, LSI director. “He brings energy, enthusiasm and a tremendous work ethic to the task of sustaining the productivity and impact of the Work Group.”