Joel Lamstein
Encyclopedia
Joel Lamstein is the co-founder and president of John Snow, Inc. (JSI)
and JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc., international public health research and consulting firms. Founded in 1978, JSI has more than 2,100 employees worldwide dedicated to improving the health of individuals and communities, working across the United States and the world.
Joel Lamstein is also the president of World Education, a nonprofit organization committed "to improving the lives of the impoverished through education, economic, and social development programs."
Lamstein graduated from the University of Michigan
in 1965 with a Bachelor of Science in Math and Physics. He was present for President John F. Kennedy's announcement of the creation of the Peace Corps in 1960.
After graduation, Lamstein worked at IBM before earning his master's degree from the MIT Sloan School of Management
in 1970. While at Sloan, Lamstein became involved in anti-war activities. His MIT professors took notice and invited him to do the computer model programming on a public health research project, introducing him to the field of global health.
, and initially launched as a small for-profit business focused on health care in the United States. In 1979, Lamstein launched an affiliated nonprofit partner, JSI Research & Training Institute, and in 1980, the organizations began working internationally. In addition to leading JSI, in 1982 Lamstein assumed the role of president of World Education, an organization founded in 1951 to meet the needs of the educationally disadvantaged.
Today, Joel Lamstein leads almost 3,000 staff from three organizations in 88 countries, implementing more than 250 projects that strengthen health and educational systems, build community skills and support, and address people’s health care and literacy needs.
Lamstein is on the faculty of the Harvard School of Public Health
and the MIT Sloan School of Management
. He also lectures at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania
, the Boston University
School of Public Health, and the Harvard Kennedy School of Government
on organizational strategy, nonprofit management, international development, and strategic management.
Lamstein has advised multiple public health initiatives across the globe with specific focus on health care management.
Lamstein and JSI support several awards and scholarships, including the John Snow, Inc. Award at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
and the Mabelle Arole Fellowship in India administered by the American Medical Student Association.
. George Donnelly, editor of the Boston Business Journal and a member of the CEO Social Leadership Award selection committee, remarked, “Joel Lamstein embodies the CEO who completely walks the talk around social responsibility." Lamstein has made a social impact through JSI health care programs as well as a policy of donating five to seven percent of net profits to charity.
NECN video interview with Joel Lamstein
In 2003, Lamstein and two other JSI staff were knighted for their exceptional work in public health in Madagascar
. Lamstein received the Médaille de l’Officier de l’Ordre National Malagasy, earning the title of Lord Lamstein.
Lamstein addressed graduating MPH students at the Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine convocation in December, 2007. His speech encouraged new graduates to get involved and understand the field, while "moving on."
University of Michigan School of Public Health
Physicians for Human Rights
Routine Health Information Network
Children’s Health Fund in New York
John Snow, Inc
John Snow, Inc. is a public health research and consulting firm in the United States and around the world. Named after the English physician John Snow, JSI, along with its nonprofit partner JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc., provides technical and managerial assistance to public health...
and JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc., international public health research and consulting firms. Founded in 1978, JSI has more than 2,100 employees worldwide dedicated to improving the health of individuals and communities, working across the United States and the world.
Joel Lamstein is also the president of World Education, a nonprofit organization committed "to improving the lives of the impoverished through education, economic, and social development programs."
Life and education
Joel Lamstein was born in Brooklyn, New York. He is married to Sarah Lamstein and has three children.Lamstein graduated from the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
in 1965 with a Bachelor of Science in Math and Physics. He was present for President John F. Kennedy's announcement of the creation of the Peace Corps in 1960.
After graduation, Lamstein worked at IBM before earning his master's degree from the MIT Sloan School of Management
MIT Sloan School of Management
The MIT Sloan School of Management is the business school of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, in Cambridge, Massachusetts....
in 1970. While at Sloan, Lamstein became involved in anti-war activities. His MIT professors took notice and invited him to do the computer model programming on a public health research project, introducing him to the field of global health.
Career
In 1971, Lamstein co-founded Management Sciences for Health (MSH), a nonprofit international health organization that works to improve health service management systems. In 1978, Joel Lamstein and Norbert Hirschhorn left MSH and founded John Snow, Incorporated (JSI), named after the father of epidemiology, John SnowJohn Snow (physician)
John Snow was an English physician and a leader in the adoption of anaesthesia and medical hygiene. He is considered to be one of the fathers of epidemiology, because of his work in tracing the source of a cholera outbreak in Soho, England, in 1854.-Early life and education:Snow was born 15 March...
, and initially launched as a small for-profit business focused on health care in the United States. In 1979, Lamstein launched an affiliated nonprofit partner, JSI Research & Training Institute, and in 1980, the organizations began working internationally. In addition to leading JSI, in 1982 Lamstein assumed the role of president of World Education, an organization founded in 1951 to meet the needs of the educationally disadvantaged.
Today, Joel Lamstein leads almost 3,000 staff from three organizations in 88 countries, implementing more than 250 projects that strengthen health and educational systems, build community skills and support, and address people’s health care and literacy needs.
Lamstein is on the faculty of the Harvard School of Public Health
Harvard School of Public Health
The Harvard School of Public Health is one of the professional graduate schools of Harvard University, located in the Longwood Area of the Boston, Massachusetts neighborhood of Mission Hill, which is next to Harvard Medical School. HSPH is considered a significant school focusing on health in the...
and the MIT Sloan School of Management
MIT Sloan School of Management
The MIT Sloan School of Management is the business school of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, in Cambridge, Massachusetts....
. He also lectures at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
, the Boston University
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
School of Public Health, and the Harvard Kennedy School of Government
John F. Kennedy School of Government
The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is a public policy and public administration school, and one of Harvard's graduate and professional schools...
on organizational strategy, nonprofit management, international development, and strategic management.
Lamstein has advised multiple public health initiatives across the globe with specific focus on health care management.
Lamstein and JSI support several awards and scholarships, including the John Snow, Inc. Award at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health is part of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, United States...
and the Mabelle Arole Fellowship in India administered by the American Medical Student Association.
Achievements
In September 2009, Lamstein was selected for the CEO Social Leadership Award, sponsored by the Lewis Family Foundation and presented by the Boston Business JournalBoston Business Journal
The Boston Business Journal is a weekly, business-oriented newspaper published in Boston, Massachusetts. It is published by the American City Business Journals....
. George Donnelly, editor of the Boston Business Journal and a member of the CEO Social Leadership Award selection committee, remarked, “Joel Lamstein embodies the CEO who completely walks the talk around social responsibility." Lamstein has made a social impact through JSI health care programs as well as a policy of donating five to seven percent of net profits to charity.
NECN video interview with Joel Lamstein
In 2003, Lamstein and two other JSI staff were knighted for their exceptional work in public health in Madagascar
Madagascar
The Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa...
. Lamstein received the Médaille de l’Officier de l’Ordre National Malagasy, earning the title of Lord Lamstein.
Lamstein addressed graduating MPH students at the Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine convocation in December, 2007. His speech encouraged new graduates to get involved and understand the field, while "moving on."
In the media
- Feature: "Witnessing Social Impact, The Boss column" The New York Times. 28 August 2011.
- Blog: “International Women’s Day: Can Technology Close the Gap for Girls and Women?” The Huffington Post. 9 March 2011.
- Blog: “U.S. Investments in Health are Working—and Georgia Reminds Us We Must Sustain and Extend the Gains."The Huffington Post. 3 Feb 2011.
- Blog: “Why Nutrition Matters.”The Huffington Post. 19 May 2010.
- Blog: "Re-Discovering U.S. Leadership: An Unlikely Contender."The Huffington Post. 8 Jan 2010.
- Feature: “An Obligation to Give Back: Joel Lamstein Covers the World but Still has Time for Philanthropy”University of Michigan School of Public Health. Spring 2010.
- Feature: “Alumni Focus: Joel Lamstein.”Focus: University of Michigan Center for Global Health. Fall 2009.
- Interview: “Joel Lamstein Selected for CEO Social Leadership Award.” New England Cable News. 10 September 2009.
Memberships
Global Health CouncilGlobal Health Council
The Global Health Council is a United States-based non-profit networking organizing linking "several hundred health non-governmental organizations around the world to share knowledge and resources, build partnerships and together become stronger advocates for health"...
- Board of Directors 2004-present, Interim President and CEO 2009 and 2011
- Chair, 2009-present
University of Michigan School of Public Health
University of Michigan School of Public Health
The University of Michigan School of Public Health is one of the professional graduate schools of the University of Michigan. Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan UM SPH is one of the oldest schools of public health in the country and is also considered one of the most prestigious schools focusing on...
- Board of Advisors
Physicians for Human Rights
Physicians for Human Rights
Physicians for Human Rights was founded in 1986 by a small group of doctors who believed the unique scientific expertise and authority of health professionals could bring human rights violations to light and provide justice for victims...
- Board of Directors
Routine Health Information Network
- Board of Directors
Children’s Health Fund in New York
- Advisory Council