After more than two decades of distinguished service, Dr. Jacques Baillargeon, Professor and Chair ad interim of the Department of Epidemiology at UTMB's School of Public and Population Health, will soon transition to a new role as Chair of the Department of Public Health at Baylor University's Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences.
As he prepares for this transition, Dr. Baillargeon shared insights about his journey, his passion for correctional health research, and the collaborative spirit that has defined UTMB's School of Public and Population Health.
From Liberal Arts to Public Health Leadership
Dr. Baillargeon's academic journey began with a Bachelor of Arts in English from UT Austin in 1990—a foundation he initially questioned but now credits with serving him well, particularly in grant writing and manuscript development. His transition to epidemiology came through an internship at UT Health San Antonio's Department of Psychiatry, where he worked with an epidemiologist who connected him with Dr. Kyriakos Markides at UTMB.
"I really loved doing my Ph.D. at UTMB with our group here," Dr. Baillargeon recalls. "The student-to-faculty ratio was small. It was very collegial. You really got to know the faculty and work with them."
After completing his Ph.D. in 1997 and spending eight years at UT Health San Antonio, Dr. Baillargeon returned to UTMB in 2006, drawn back by his love for the Gulf Coast and the collaborative environment. He's remained here ever since, rising through the ranks to become Professor and interim Chair of the Department of Epidemiology.
Over his distinguished career, he has authored more than 190 peer-reviewed publications, earning over 8,100 citations and establishing himself as a leading voice in epidemiological research.
Transforming How We Understand Health Behind Bars
Dr. Baillargeon's career has been defined by his pioneering work in correctional health epidemiology. As Director of Epidemiology and Outcomes Research for UTMB's Correctional Managed Care division, he has helped shape understanding of health issues among incarcerated populations through rigorous research and compassionate advocacy.
His work has challenged misconceptions about incarcerated individuals and their healthcare needs. "Most incarcerated persons are only in the correctional setting for an average of less than two years. So, it's a very dynamic population," Dr. Baillargeon explains. He emphasizes that the correctional setting often provides a crucial opportunity to identify, diagnose, and begin treatment for a range of conditions, particularly mental health issues and infectious diseases.
When asked about public skepticism regarding healthcare for incarcerated populations, Dr. Baillargeon offers a thoughtful response grounded in both public health pragmatism and human compassion. Most incarcerated individuals, he explains, face a convergence of childhood trauma, mental illness, and socioeconomic challenges. He notes that these individuals will return to communities, making their health a matter of public concern.
More fundamentally, he sees the correctional setting as "an opportunity to finally get some of these individuals the healthcare that they need and start them on a path to healing."
The Power of Collaboration
Throughout our conversation, Dr. Baillargeon repeatedly returns to themes of collaboration and mentorship. When asked about memorable moments from his career, he doesn't cite awards or publications but rather relationships.
"The thing that I really value is collaborative relationships," he reflects. "Within our department, we have a really close group. We enjoy our meetings, our gatherings, our social events."
This collaborative spirit extends to his work with students. He has supervised numerous doctoral and master's students, many of whom have gone on to successful careers in epidemiology and public health.
Dr. Baillargeon speaks with particular warmth about the leadership environment at SPPH, especially under Dean Kristin Peek. "She has created a nurturing environment," he says. "From her leadership on down, everybody's supported and respected." Working closely with her has informed his own understanding of leadership—lessons he will undoubtedly carry forward to Baylor.
Looking Ahead While Honoring the Past
As Dr. Baillargeon prepares for this transition, he leaves UTMB with mixed emotions but no regrets. The timing is particularly poignant with the recent launch of the Center for Correctional Health, which Dr. Baillargeon sees as positioning UTMB to be an "international leader" in the field he has helped advance.
He speaks enthusiastically about the center, expressing confidence that the work will flourish. Dr. Baillargeon hopes to maintain collaborative ties with UTMB and the center, recognizing that the infrastructure, expertise, and integrated electronic health record systems make UTMB uniquely positioned for groundbreaking research.
"I'm leaving UTMB with just an incredibly high job satisfaction and a real positive, warm feeling about all the time I've spent here," Dr. Baillargeon reflects. "It was not an easy decision to make for sure."
A Lasting Impact
Dr. Baillargeon leaves behind a remarkable legacy at UTMB, not measured only in his extensive publication record or the substantial grant funding he has secured, but in the culture of collaboration he has fostered, the students he has mentored, and the vulnerable populations whose lives have been improved through his research.
When asked about advice for the next generation, Dr. Baillargeon demurred from offering grand pronouncements. Instead, he spoke of learning from others, particularly Dr. Peek's example of lifting people up. Perhaps that itself is his greatest lesson: that success in public health comes not from individual achievement but from creating environments where everyone can thrive and contribute to the greater good.
The SPPH community wishes Dr. Baillargeon all the best in his new role, confident that he will bring the same dedication, compassion, and collaborative spirit to Baylor that has marked his distinguished career at UTMB.