Leadership to begin in July
The Ohio State University has selected Paula H. Song as its next College of Public Health dean, effective July 9, pending Board of Trustees approval. Since 2020, Song has served as the Richard M. Bracken Chair of the Department of Health Administration at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), where she is also a professor.
Song will provide strategic vision and leadership for the college toward its goals of expanding and improving interdisciplinary research collaborations locally, nationally and internationally and supporting faculty and students in producing influential public health research and innovation.
“As a leader, Paula is committed to building strong, collaborative teams,” said Ohio State Executive Vice President and Provost Ravi V. Bellamkonda. “She believes that creating a space where every voice is heard and valued is crucial for achieving academic and operational excellence, and I am excited for the college’s future under her leadership.”
While at VCU, she served as interim dean of the College of Health Professions from 2023-24. Previously, she served as the director of residential master’s programs in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she was an associate professor.
Song’s arrival at the university will mark a return to familiar territory. She began her faculty career at Ohio State in 2007 — the same year the College of Public Health was established — as an assistant professor in the Division of Health Services Management and Policy. She also served as a faculty affiliate for the Institute of Population Research.
“It is such a privilege to return and lead this fantastic college,” Song said. “There is so much talent, passion and dedication among the faculty and staff. They are leaders in public health research and education, dedicated to making a lasting impact. Our equally passionate students are poised to be the next generation of public health leaders.”
A gifted scholar and researcher, Song’s research interests are centered on the financial management of health care organizations and the impact of payment policies on patient and provider experiences. Her research has appeared in numerous peer-reviewed publications, and she has authored or coauthored several book chapters and multiple editions of leading health care finance textbooks.
Song earned her PhD in health services organization and policy, her master’s degree in applied economics, and her Master of Health Services Administration from the University of Michigan. She completed her undergraduate studies in biological basis and behavior at the University of Pennsylvania.
“Returning to Ohio State feels like coming full circle and a true homecoming for me,” said Song. “I am deeply committed, personally and professionally, to the success of our students, faculty and staff. I am excited to be a Buckeye again!”
Ohio State's College of Public Health is the state's first accredited public health college. It is ranked first in Ohio, 16th nationwide among public institutions and 29th overall by U.S. News and World Report.
Nationally ranked graduate specialties within the college include Master of Health Administration (8), biostatistics (22), epidemiology (25) and health policy and management (17). The college has five divisions spanning the breadth of public health.
Since 2023, Karla Zadnik has served as interim dean of the College of Public Health. From January 2024 through January 2025, Zadnik also served as the university’s interim executive vice president and provost, and in this role she was instrumental in overseeing the search process and recruiting Song to Ohio State. Upon Song’s July 9 arrival, Zadnik will reassume her duties as dean of the College of Optometry.
“I am grateful for Dr. Zadnik’s steady leadership and stewardship of this search, and I also thank the members of the search advisory committee for their input and perspectives,” said Bellamkonda. The committee was chaired by Rustin Moore, the Rita Jean Wolfe Endowed Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine.
