Michael O’Malley, PhD, MPH, former Associate Director of the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill’s Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and former Adjunct Associate Professor of Health Policy and Management at UNC’s Gillings School of Global Public Health, has passed away unexpectedly at the age of 64.
Dr. O’Malley committed over 30 years of service to the state of North Carolina and was an exceptional leader, who many knew as a great “connector.” At the Gillings School, he served as a mentor for countless students over the years. He also Codirected the Cancer Control Education Program, an National Cancer Institute–funded pre- and postdoctoral training program in cancer prevention and control.
Though he semi-retired last year, Dr. O’Malley still played a pivotal role in advising the cancer center leadership.
He began his career in medical research and service roles in UNC School of Medicine and UNC Hospitals. This interest led him to obtain an MPH and a PhD in Health Policy and Management at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health. In 1990, he took a leadership position at UNC Lineberger, where he served until his retirement in 2014. In recognition of his remarkable administrative skill and research accomplishments, he was awarded the C. Knox Massey Award in 2007.
A memorial service to honor Dr. O’Malley will be held on Saturday, August 22 in the auditorium of the Genome Sciences Building (room G200) on the UNC campus. ■
