2007 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 Pierre Buekens, MD, PhD
Dean of the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine
Meredith McLanahan, BA


OUTSTANDING STUDENT SERVICE AWARD
The school honors a student committed to her school, university, and community, with particular enthusiasm for improving public health. She assumes responsibility, finds worthy outlets for her energy and talents, and successfully carries out commitments.
Presented by Alan Miller, MD, PhD
Interim Senior Vice President for Health Sciences
Shama P. Khan, BA


LEADERSHIP IN RESEARCH AWARD
The Health Sciences Leadership in Research Award is given to commend outstanding achievement in new competitive research.
Presented by Pierre Buekens, MD, PhD, and Alan Miller, MD, PhD
Paul J. Brindley, PhD
Felicia A. Rabito, PhD


PROMISE IN RESEARCH AWARD
The Health Sciences Promise in Research Award is given to commend outstanding progress in competitive research.
Presented by Pierre Buekens, MD, PhD, and Alan Miller, MD, PhD
Christopher E. Beaudoin, PhD
Emily W. Harville, PhD
Felicia A. Rabito, PhD


DISTINCTION IN RESEARCH AWARD
The Health Sciences Distinction in Research Award is given to commend outstanding achievement and commitment to excellence in total competitive research funding.
Presented by Pierre Buekens, MD, PhD, and Alan Miller, MD, PhD
Ann C. Anderson, PhD
Paul J. Brindley, PhD
Prescott L. Deninger, PhD
Thomas A. Farley, MD, MPH
Anastasia J. Gage, PhD
Jiang He, MD, PhD
Carl Kendall, PhD
Larry S. Webber, PhD
Dawn M. Wesson, PhD


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
Eva A. Silvestre Martinez, BS, MA

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.
Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education
Kristina Henderson Lewis, BS

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
Sawyer Pouliot, BS


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
Stephanie Westlake, BSN


COMMUNITY HEALTH SCIENCES AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN NUTRITION
This award is given for outstanding achievement in nutrition.
Presented by Thomas Farley, MD, MPH
Chair, Department of Community Health Sciences
Elena Paul, MPH


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
Maura Kennelly, MPH

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
Amina Assefa, BA, MPH
Delini Asokamala De Silva-Chen, MD, MPH
Michael Herges, BA, MPH
Timothy Brian Hicks, BS, MSPH
Yasmin Sharana Bowers, BA, MSPH
Marc Harris Kolender, MD, MPH
Jesse Nathaniel Pacem, BS, MPH
Roger Wayne Thompson, BS, MSPH
John Anthony Watson, BS, MSPH
Danny Lee Wiegand, BS, MSPH

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, MD, MPH
Chair, Department of Environmental Health Sciences
Danny Lee Wiegand, BS, MSPH

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, MD, PhD
Chair, Department of Epidemiology
Tanika Kelly, MPH

MARY ELIZABETH O'CONNOR MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
This scholarship is provided to an outstanding epidemiology student. Harald M. Graning, MD, established this as a tribute to O'Connor, a distinguished alumna who had extensive accomplishments in international health work.
Presented by Jiang He, MD, PhD
Chair, Department of Epidemiology
Amanda D. Hyre, MPH


THE JEFFREY H. EPSTEIN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
The alumni and faculty select a student who demonstrates former student Jeffrey H. Epstein's ability to make the department a more enjoyable and intellectually rewarding environment. Epstein, who received his MBA and MPH from Tulane, instilled a sense of community, stimulated the faculty to be at their best, and set a standard of excellence for his fellow classmates. He died suddenly in 1982 while a Wharton Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania, but his spirit remains in the department.
Presented by Claudia R. Campbell, PH.D.
Chair, Department of Health Systems Management
Daniel Higginbotham, BS


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
Mollye Elizabeth Monceaux, BS

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
Thomas Jackson Pulliam, MD

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
Catherine Anne Ehlen, MD

FOSTER MCGAW (A.U.P.H.A.) SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship is administered through the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (A.U.P.H.A.). At Tulane, the scholarship is awarded to a first-year MHA student showing great promise in health care management.
Presented by Claudia R. Campbell, PH.D.
Chair, Department of Health Systems Management
Kristen Michelle Howard, BS

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
Manuela Villar-Uribe, MPH

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
John Joseph Hembling, MPH


JACK C. S. LING INTERNATIONAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT STUDENT SERVICE AWARD
This award is given to the student who demonstrates academic excellence and has provided service to the department, staff, and students during his/her tenure as a student. The award is named for Jack C. S. Ling, emeritus professor of public health. For nearly thirty years Professor Ling worked with UNICEF and WHO as a director of information and communication planning and implemeted WHO'S global communication and education programs. At Tulane, he was director of Tulane's International Communication Enhancement Center and principal investigator for IDD elimination communication projects, global social mobilization training, and the child survival video clearinghouse of UNICEF. He was a superb teacher and mentor for the master's degree students and was a great resource for them as they embarked on their careers.
Presented by Dominique Meekers, PH.D.
Chair, Department of International Health and Development
Roxanne Rose Saucier, BA


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
Michelle LaTanya Drew, BSN

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
Kaori Patricia Tanaka, BS, MSPH

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
Thomas A. Farley, MD, MPH

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
Erica B. Geary

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
Kathy D. Ball, MS

DELTA OMEGA, ETA CHAPTER AWARD FOR BEST DISSERTATION
Presented by Latha Rajan, M.D., MPH&TM
President, ETA Chapter, Delta Omega
Ryan Sinclair, PhD


DELTA OMEGA HONORARY PUBLIC HEALTH SOCIETY
Yasmin Sharhara Parker Bowers, BA
Keith H. Carlson, MD
Joel Conkle, BA
Michael Charles Herges, BA
Adriana Jones, BA
Maura O'Brien Kennelly, BA
Kristina Henderson Lewis, BS
Kristin Ariana Lyman, BS
Anjali Mahoney, BA
Mohammad Ibrahim Maroof, MD
Navya Nair, BSE
Sawyer Heath Pouliot, BS
Tova Corrine Reichel, BA
Erik Martin Reite, BS
Jeffrey George Shaffer, MS
Claudio G. Sosa, MSPH
Steinar Taksdal, MD
John Anthony Watson, BS
Stephanie Joyce Westlake, BSN
Danny Lee Weigand, BS

THE DEAN’S SCHOLASTIC AWARD
Presented by M. Cleland Powell III
Vice Chair, Tulane University Health Sciences Center
Board of Governors
John Randolph Butts, BA, MPH
Yan Du, BS, MPH
Jeffrey Nolan Harr, BS
Angali Mahoney, BA
Jeffrey George Shaffer, MS
John Watson, BS