Dorothy Cilenti, DrPH, the director of the National MCH Workforce Development Center, was named Associate Dean for Practice at the Gillings School of Global Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, effective Jan. 1, 2026.
Cilenti is a clinical professor in the Department of Maternal and Child Health (MCH) at UNC Gillings. She is also a three-time UNC-Chapel Hill graduate: She earned a Master of Public Health degree in MCH, a Master of Social Work degree and a DrPH degree in health policy and management.
Cilenti takes over the role previously held by John Wiesman, DrPH, MPH, who stepped down at the end of 2025 after serving in the role since 2022. Wiesman will retire at the end of June 2026.
“I am thrilled that Dorothy will be our next Associate Dean for Practice,” said Wiesman. “Her rock-solid experience as a local and state public health professional and years in applied academic practice make her an ideal fit for this role.”
The Associate Dean for Practice is a senior leader within the Gillings School who enhances the School’s public health practice enterprise and connects practice to other parts of the School, including research and academics. They are responsible for efforts to achieve the Gillings School’s practice vision and goals, including providing leadership for the Gillings Practice Strategic Plan (2022-2028); representing the Gillings School’s practice interests to entities within the School and University and across the state of North Carolina, the U.S. and the world; and recognizing and supporting the special practice and service commitment of the Gillings School to North Carolina.
“At Gillings, public health practice means actively applying our public health training and expertise to make a difference – whether through programs, interventions or policies. Practice and service are foundational to our work at the Gillings School, and I cannot imagine a more perfect person to continue to push this work forward,” observed Nancy Messonnier, MD, Dean and Bryson Distinguished Professor. “Dr. Cilenti has over twenty years of experience strengthening public health systems at local, state and national agencies, and I’m delighted she has agreed to accept this appointment.”
Born and raised in New York’s Westchester County, Cilenti came to the Triangle to complete her undergraduate studies and has stayed here ever since.
“I’m really looking forward to expanding our existing community partnerships, as well as seeking innovative ways to expand collaboration beyond local health departments, for example, leveraging the Center for Artificial Intelligence and Public Health and our existing relationship with Innovate Carolina,” she said. “Building out the practice hubs across the state, while continuing to deepen our academic and practice partnership with the Granville-Vance health district and others, are just some of the myriad opportunities to build on what’s working in communities. Obviously, communicating the impact of our work is such an important avenue to reach current and prospective students and donors and for the long-term sustainability of our efforts. Exposing students to public health practice is key to their training.”
Cilenti loves to travel and uses time off as “food for my soul.” She is a member of two book clubs and always finds time to spend with her two grandchildren.
“I’m so appreciative of the chance to do such important work across campus and within Gillings,” Cilenti said.
Originally published by the UNC Gillings School of Public Health.