2006 School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine Awards

OUTSTANDING STUDENT LEADERSHIP AWARD
The school honors a strong leader, someone who identifies necessary changes and has the initiative and conviction to accomplish those changes. She’s an inspiration to her peers and motivates them to meet new challenges as well.
Presented by Paul K. Whelton, M.D., M.SC.
Senior Vice President for Health Sciences
Amanda Lea Merkel, M.S.P.H.

OUTSTANDING STUDENT SERVICE AWARD
The school honors a student committed to his school, university, and community, with particular enthusiasm for improving public health. He assumes responsibility, finds worthy outlets for his energy and talents, and successfully carries out commitments.
Presented by Paul K. Whelton, M.D., M.SC.
Senior Vice President for Health Sciences
George Frederick Stevens, B.S.M.E.

TULANE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND TROPICAL MEDICINE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION STUDENT RECOGNITION AWARD
This award honors a student who has demonstrated outstanding scholastic accomplishment and shows promise of distinctive achievement and leadership as an alumnus. The student has an outstanding academic record with a GPA of 3.8 or better, has demonstrated exemplary school service, and has clear public health career goals.
Presented by Penny Jessop, M.P.H.
Clinical Faculty, Department of International Health and Development
Mark J. Winograd, B.A.

JOHN J. WALSH, M.D., AWARD FOR THE OUTSTANDING STUDENT IN THE MD/MPH PROGRAM
The John J. Walsh, M.D, Award is presented to the graduating MD/MPH combined degree student who best exhibits extraordinary leadership in and commitment to improving the health of individuals and communities. The award is made possible by a generous donation from the Donum Dei Foundation.
Presented by M. A. Krousel-Wood, M.D., M.S.P.H.
Assistant Dean for Graduate Medical Education
Jacqueline Adriana Firth, B.A.

ELIZABETH A. BENNETT AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH
The award is given to the graduating master’s student in maternal and child health who best exemplifies Betty Bennett’s dedication to the health of mothers and children. Bennett was a leader in maternal and child health at Tulane for many years.
Presented by Thomas Farley, M.D, M.P.H.
Chair, Department of Community Health Sciences
Jennifer Lee Hixon, B.A.

CAESAR CORZANTES AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH
This award recipient displays outstanding academic achievement and commitment to the underserved. Caesar Corzantes, a much-loved maternal and child health faculty member, established primary care clinics in New Orleans.
Presented by Thomas Farley, M.D., M.P.H.
Chair, Department of Community Health Sciences
Kathryn Mary Parker, B.A.

COMMUNITY HEALTH SCIENCES AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN HEALTH EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION
This award is given for outstanding academic achievement in health education.
Presented by Thomas Farley, M.D., M.P.H.
Chair, Department of Community Health Sciences
Hayden Lee Smith, B.S.

CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION FOR EXCELLENCE IN ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES
The department recognizes students who have shown superior performance.
Presented by Maureen Lichtveld, M.D., M.P.H.
Chair, Department of Environmental Health Sciences
Darren Joseph Burkett, M.S.P.H.
Richard Tobin Galle, M.P.H.
George Frederick Stevens, B.S.M.E.
Carolyn Thomas Whitehead, B.A.

FRANK W. MACDONALD ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES OUTSTANDING STUDENT AWARD
This is the highest environmental health sciences award. It is presented to a student who demonstrates outstanding performance in the master’s program, excels academically, explores challenging curriculum, contributes to the department and school, is a strong leader, and is committed to environmental health sciences as a profession.
Presented by Maureen Lichtveld, M.D., M.P.H.
Chair, Department of Environmental Health Sciences
Margot Taliaferro Brown, M.S.P.H.

DOROTHY R. LEBLANC SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
This award is given to an epidemiology student showing promise in a research career. Dorothy LeBlanc, a dedicated Tulane professor and field epidemiologist, was highly regarded by students and faculty.
Presented by Jiang He, M.D., PH.D.
Chair, Department of Epidemiology
Amanda Dawn Hyre, M.P.H.

HEALTH SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT ALUMNI AWARD FOR LEADERSHIP
The department’s alumni recognize a student who exhibits extraordinary leadership abilities.
Presented by Claudia R. Campbell, PH.D.
Chair, Department of Health Systems Management
Mark J. Winograd, B.S.

OUTSTANDING MASTER OF MEDICAL MANAGEMENT STUDENT AWARD
This award recognizes exceptional leadership, peer respect, and outstanding academic performance.
Presented by Claudia R. Campbell, PH.D.
Chair, Department of Health Systems Management
Dwayne Anthony Thomas, M.D.

GAYLORD CUMMINS OUTSTANDING MASTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH STUDENT
The faculty present this award to an outstanding student in memory of Gaylord Cummins, chair of the department from the late 1970s until 1990. Cummins was instrumental in establishing the executive master of health administration program and expanding the master of public health program to include evening courses.
Presented by Claudia R. Campbell, PH.D.
Chair, Department of Health Systems Management
David Andre Beyt, B.A.

MASTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH TAEL PROGRAM OUTSTANDING STUDENT AWARD
This award recognizes exceptional leadership, peer respect, and outstanding academic performance.
Presented by Claudia R. Campbell, PH.D.
Chair, Department of Health Systems Management
Ming-Chou Ku, M.D., M.S.

JAMES P. GRANT CHILD SURVIVAL AWARD
This award recognizes a student who demonstrates academic excellence and potential for contributions to child survival. It was named for UNICEF executive director James P. Grant, who led the campaign to combat the death of millions of children each year from easily preventable illnesses. In 1983, he mobilized
initiatives to bring life-saving, cost-effective techniques to children in developing countries. By the end of the 1980s, this had saved an estimated 12 million lives. Presented by Dominique Meekers, PH.D.
Chair, Department of International Health and Development
Megan A. Littrell, M.S.

CARROLL BEHRHORST PRIMARY HEALTH CARE AWARD
This award recognizes a student who demonstrates academic excellence and dedication to primary health care in lesser developed countries. It is named for physician Carroll Behrhorst, who established a medical program to serve rural Kaqchikel Indians of the Guatemala highlands in Chimaltenango. The clinic served as a community health care training program as well. Behrhorst’s approach of combining health care and community development was selected in 1974 by the World Health Organization as a model for all developing countries.
Presented by Dominique Meekers, PH.D.
Chair, Department of International Health and Development
Kimberly McMinn, B.S.

CHARLES C. BASS AWARD FOR THE OUTSTANDING STUDENT IN THE MPH&TM PROGRAM
This award is presented to a student who has shown outstanding academic excellence in the master of public health and tropical medicine degree program.
Presented by Richard Oberhelman, M.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Tropical Medicine
Julia Kirsten MacIsaac, M.P.H.&T.M.

ERNEST CARROLL FAUST AWARD FOR THE OUTSTANDING STUDENT IN THE MASTER OF SCIENCE IN PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAM
This award is presented to a tropical medicine student showing outstanding academic excellence in the M.S.P.H. program.
Presented by Donald J. Krogstad, M.D.
Chair, Department of Tropical Medicine
Ashley Anne Neils, M.S.P.H.

TEACHING EXCELLENCE AWARD
A faculty member is chosen for professional demeanor and ability to advise and give direction. The recipient is approachable and accessible to students.
Presented by Amanda Lea Merkel, M.S.P.H.
Student Government Association President
Arti Shankar, PH.D.

STAFF EXCELLENCE AWARD
A staff member is chosen for dedication, exceptional work, providing direction, and being responsive and attentive to students.
Presented by Amanda Lea Merkel, M.S.P.H.
Student Government Association President
Albert Jack Terrillion, M.P.H.

DEAN E. ELAINE BOSTON AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING LONG-TERM COMMITMENT TO STUDENT NEEDS
This prestigious award was initiated in 2005 by the Student Government Association to honor Dean Boston’s outstanding commitment of over 20 years to the students of the Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. This award recognizes one individual each year that exhibits qualities and gifts similar to those of Dean Boston.
Presented by Amanda Lea Merkel, M.S.P.H.
Student Government Association President
Penny Jessop, M.P.H.

DELTA OMEGA, ETA CHAPTER AWARD FOR BEST DISSERTATION
Presented by Latha Rajan, M.D., MPH&TM
President, ETA Chapter, Delta Omega
Lisa Johnston, Ph.D.

 
THE DEAN’S SCHOLASTIC AWARD
Presented by M. Cleland Powell III
Vice Chair, Tulane University Health Sciences Center
Board of Governors
Pratik Bhattacharya, Department of Epidemiology
Julia MacIsaac, Department of Tropical Medicine