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In Memoriam: James Felsen, MD (1942-2024)
The American Association of Public Health Physicians mourns the loss of our esteemed colleague and dedicated member, Dr. James Felsen, who passed away on November 26, 2024, at the age of 82.
A Lifetime of Service to Public Health
Dr. Felsen was a committed member of AAPHP since December 28, 1997, serving our organization with distinction for nearly 27 years. His dedication to our mission remained unwavering until the end, as evidenced by his renewal of membership for 2025 on November 12, 2024, just two weeks before his passing.
Active Leadership and Engagement
As an active member of AAPHP's Resolution, Policy and Legislative Committee (RPL), Dr. Felsen made significant contributions to shaping public health policy discourse. Since April 15, 2013, he was a frequent and valued participant in the RPL Google Group, where his thoughtful opinions and carefully curated article selections enriched our professional dialogue.
Dr. Felsen had a gift for identifying and sharing critical perspectives on healthcare policy. His intellectual curiosity and commitment to informed discourse were evident in his regular contributions to our community discussions.
Recent Contributions
Even in his final months, Dr. Felsen remained intellectually engaged with the pressing issues facing public health and healthcare systems. His last shared article to the RPL group, posted shortly before his passing, was titled "One election outcome health system CEOs can agree on" from Becker's Hospital Review.
His final authored piece, "Thinking Out Loud: Does More Information Make Us Better Informed?" published by the American Council on Science and Health on October 26, 2024, exemplified his lifelong commitment to critical thinking and evidence-based discourse in public health.
A Legacy of Thoughtful Advocacy
Throughout his membership, Dr. Felsen embodied the AAPHP motto as a true "Guardian of the Public's Health." His contributions to our policy discussions, his dedication to sharing knowledge, and his unwavering commitment to public health excellence have left an indelible mark on our organization.
Memorial Resolution
At the AAPHP Annual Meeting on January 26, 2025, the membership voted unanimously to establish this memorial page in honor of Dr. Felsen's contributions to our organization and to the field of public health.
We extend our deepest condolences to Dr. Felsen's family, friends, and colleagues. His wisdom, dedication, and passionate advocacy for public health will be deeply missed but long remembered by all who had the privilege of working with him.
For those wishing to learn more about Dr. Felsen's life and legacy, his full obituary is available at: