Neal Baer

Neal Baer, MD, is a Lecturer in Chronic Disease Epidemiology at Yale School of Public Health and a Lecturer on Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School. He holds adjunct roles at USC’s Keck School of Medicine and UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health, where he established the Global Media Center for Social Impact. His career bridges entertainment and public health, serving as a showrunner and executive producer for acclaimed TV series like *Law & Order: SVU*, *Under the Dome*, and *Designated Survivor*. He also produced the Sundance-winning documentary *Welcome to Chechnya*.

Dr. Baer’s educational background includes an MD from Harvard Medical School (1996), MA in Sociology (1982) and MEd (1979) from Harvard, and a BA in Political Science from Colorado College (1978). He has served on boards for organizations like the Venice Family Clinic, RAND Health, and the American Film Institute. His research focuses on leveraging media to address public health issues such as HIV/AIDS, LGBTQ+ rights, and health equity.

Recipient of numerous awards, including the Valentine Davies Award for public service and the John P. McGovern Medal, Dr. Baer advocates for social impact through storytelling. His work spans documentary filmmaking, novel writing, and leadership in global health initiatives.