Charting the Course: Honoring Dr. Lloyd Novick’s Career in Public Health

On August 26, 2025, the public health world lost a giant when Lloyd F. Novick, MD, MPH, the founding editor-in-chief of the Journal of Public Health Management & Practice passed away at the age of 84. Always a modest man, Dr. Novick resisted the efforts of the editorial team and board of the journal to celebrate his legendary career until shortly before his passing. He realized as his time dwindled down to its last days that there was an important message to be sent in telling of his contributions to public health. In our last conversation, Dr. Novick and I agreed that we would tell of his many contributions to public health over a career that spanned almost 6 decades. The tributes in this issue of the journal from his longtime friends and colleagues will tell of a man who was many things over the course of his life. He was a health officer, professor, editor, author, and state health director for Vermont, Arizona, and New York. Perhaps more importantly, he was a mentor, colleague, husband, father, brother, and a friend. The tributes and commentaries will highlight his many impacts on public health research and practice and testify to the numerous ways that Dr. Novick forever altered the trajectory of public health in the United States through his service, dedication, passion, and resolve. In reading the many submissions for this special section of the journal, I could not help but be amazed by the career of a man I knew for more than 18 years. Despite my familiarity with his work, there were many things I took away from these tributes and commentaries that left me understanding better why so many colleagues held him in such high regard. Despite everything that you will read about Dr. Novick in this issue of the journal, he once confided in me that he considered this journal that he founded more than 30 years ago to be his greatest legacy. It was with this knowledge that I took the helm of the journal in January of this year. While it isn't enviable to follow a legend in any profession, from football to business, my intent is to honor Dr. Novick's legacy every day that I serve at the helm of the journal. Dr. Novick was an avid sailor, having taken me sailing many times when we worked together in Greenville, NC, so I feel this analogy is apt to begin this series of tributes and remembrances. Dr. Novick, over his career, charted a course for us to follow toward the promise of a well-funded and functional public health system, supported by a highly qualified workforce. While his chosen profession is weathering a very tough storm and choppy seas now, it is inherent on those he left behind to learn from his legacy and mentorship and build back the public health infrastructure to be better, stronger, and more effective than it was before. Dr. Novick's vision when he started the journal was that JPHMP would be "… dedicated to offering timely, relevant information about population based health programs, as well as commentary that will analyze ongoing programs and support scientifically based innovation and reform.1" Furthermore, he declared that journal "… contributors will not only be public health professionals – practitioners in public health agencies, teaching institutions, and other settings – but also public health workers at all levels who are committed to innovation and reform.1" It is by continuing to fulfill his vision that we will honor his legacy. It is my hope that wherever you see yourself in Lloyd's words from 1995, the retelling of his many contributions to public health will inspire you to do the same in whatever capacity you can contribute, and when you make those contributions, you will share them with the world so that others can learn from you.