Gina Piane is an internationally recognized expert in the field of public health. Her 32 year career in public health began with the Cook County Department of Public Health near Chicago, Illinois, where she emerged as a leader in community and patient education. Her academic career includes tenured-faculty positions with Northern Illinois University and California State University, Long Beach. Dr. Piane came to National University in March 2009 to lead the development of the Master of Public Health program which enrolled its first students in March 2010. She was hired as the Chair of the Department of Community Health.