Ben Weston (physician)

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Ben Weston
Born
Academic background
EducationBA, Biology, 2005, Lawrence University
MPH, 2010, MD, 2011, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Academic work
InstitutionsMedical College of Wisconsin

Benjamin Weston is an American physician. While serving as an associate professor of Emergency Medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin, Weston is also the Director of medical services for the Office of Emergency Management and the Chief Health Policy Advisor for Milwaukee County. Weston's research interests include prehospital care, resuscitation, health equity, and public health surveillance.

Early life and education[edit]

Weston was raised in Milwaukee where his first job was working concessions at Uihlein Soccer Park.[1] He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in biology at Lawrence University in 2005.[2] During his undergraduate studies, Weston organized an abs class that met three times a week in order to combat obesity.[3] He also worked in various residence hall leadership positions and chaired the Lawrence University Community Council's Judicial Board.[2]

Upon graduating with his baccalaureate degree, Weston simultaneously earned his medical degree and master of public health from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.[4] He also co-founded the Healthy Classrooms Foundation to "bring public health to the public" in 2008.[5] Weston then completed his emergency medicine residency at Hennepin County Medical Center and completed his Emergency Medical Services Fellowship at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW).[4]

Career[edit]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Weston promoted the vaccine and combated COVID-19 misinformation.[6] He helped create the county's online COVID-19 dashboard to track cases, hospitalizations, deaths, and other data to inform the public and shape decision-making.[7] As a result of his advocacy, Weston was selected as a member of the Milwaukee Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 2021 class.[8] In August 2021, Weston was appointed by Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley as Milwaukee County's inaugural Chief Health Policy Advisor. When speaking of the promotion, Crowley stated that Weston's expertise will help "inform strategies and programs that further advance our health and equity goals and bring us closer to our vision of being the healthiest county in the state."[9] He was later named one of three recipients of the 2021 Milwaukee Business Journal's Health Care Champion.[10] In August 2022, Weston was selected by the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) to serve as the NAM Fellow to Advance State Health Policy.[11]

Personal life[edit]

Weston and his wife Michelle, a fellow physician, have three children together.[2]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "40 Under 40: Dr. Ben Weston, Milwaukee County Office of Emergency Management". Milwaukee Business Journal. March 22, 2021. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c Berthiaume, Ed (December 3, 2020). "Lighting the Way With … Dr. Ben Weston: On the COVID-19 front lines". Lawrence University. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  3. ^ "Freshman: College weight gain is more than a myth". The Post-Crescent. October 28, 2003. Retrieved September 7, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  4. ^ a b "Ben Weston, MD, MPH". Medical College of Wisconsin. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  5. ^ "HEALTHY CLASSROOMS FOUNDATION CELEBRATES DECADE OF HELPING YOUTH STAY WELL". University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. January 16, 2018. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  6. ^ Ryan, Sean (August 31, 2021). "Milwaukee County health adviser Dr. Ben Weston debunks Covid-19 vaccine conspiracies". Milwaukee Business Journal. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  7. ^ Brunette, Lisa (April 20, 2022). "BENJAMIN WESTON TRANSLATES TRAINING INTO LEADERSHIP IN MEDICINE AND PUBLIC HEALTH". Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  8. ^ "Dr. Ben Weston Named to Milwaukee Business Journal's 40 Under 40 2021 Class". Medical College of Wisconsin. March 22, 2021. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  9. ^ "County Executive David Crowley Announces Dr. Benjamin Weston as Milwaukee County Chief Health Policy Advisor". Milwaukee County. August 17, 2021. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  10. ^ "Dr. Ben Weston Receives "Health Care Champions" Award". Medical College of Wisconsin. September 6, 2021. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  11. ^ "Ben Weston, MD, MPH, FAEMS Selected for National Academy of Medicine Fellowship". Medical College of Wisconsin. August 15, 2022. Retrieved September 7, 2022.