Dr. Christine Arcari recognized with two national awards for excellence in public health education

Senior Associate Dean for Academics Dr. Christine Arcari has been recognized with two of the most prestigious national honors in public health education and epidemiology, reflecting her far-reaching impact as a teacher, mentor, and academic leader. 

In November 2025, Arcari received the Abraham Lilienfeld Award at the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting. Presented by the Epidemiology Section, the award is the organization’s highest honor and recognizes senior leaders who have made extraordinary contributions in teaching or mentorship, and scholarship. 

In March 2026, she will be honored with the ASPPH Teaching Excellence Award at the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health Annual Meeting. The award recognizes faculty who demonstrate sustained educational leadership across the field of public health. 

Both are major awards in the industry. 

“Dr. Christine Arcari has done a remarkable job in just a few years here at the Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine,” said Dr. Thomas LaVeist, dean of the school. “She has strengthened and systematized our academic structure, while building deep, trusting relationships with faculty and students. Her visionary leadership has earned respect for our school across the university and throughout the field of public health. We are extremely fortunate to have her here at Tulane.”

Since joining Tulane in 2021 following a national search, Arcari has led a comprehensive effort to strengthen and modernize the school’s academic enterprise. She built and expanded a robust Academic Affairs unit, guided a successful CEPH reaccreditation process, and led school-wide reviews to ensure all programs align with competencies, accreditation standards, and the school’s mission. 

Under her leadership, WSPH has redesigned its doctoral programs, refreshed MPH curricula, streamlined degree structures, launched new programs and certificates, and introduced “Areas of Specialization” that allow MPH students to gain deeper expertise in emerging public health themes.

A trained epidemiologist, Arcari earned her PhD from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and has taught and mentored students across undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs throughout her career. She is widely recognized for her student-centered approach to teaching, commitment to mentorship, and leadership in advancing evidence-based educational practices.

In addition to her institutional leadership, Arcari has served in national volunteer and leadership roles with ASPPH and the APHA Epidemiology Section, contributing to initiatives that shape the future of public health education nationwide.

An earlier version of this story indicated that the award was given by the American College of Epidemiologists. We regret the error and the misattribution of the award. Thanks to Dr. Arcari for pointing this out!