{"id":253799,"date":"2025-05-02T04:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-02T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/?post_type=bu-article&#038;p=253799"},"modified":"2025-09-18T14:17:11","modified_gmt":"2025-09-18T18:17:11","slug":"faculty-staff-and-students-to-be-recognized-with-2025-sph-awards","status":"publish","type":"bu-article","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/news\/articles\/2025\/faculty-staff-and-students-to-be-recognized-with-2025-sph-awards\/","title":{"rendered":"Faculty, Staff, and Students to be Recognized with 2025 SPH Awards"},"content":{"rendered":"\t<div class=\"wp-block-editorial-leadin sphnews-block-editorial-leadin is-style-text-over-image has-media has-box has-media-focus-center-middle has-text-position-x-center has-light-theme\">\n\t\t<div class=\"container-lockup\">\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-leadin-media\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<img width=\"1280\" height=\"800\" src=\"\/sph\/files\/2024\/05\/snapshot-9Q1A6400.jpg\" class=\"\" alt=\"Looking out over students seated at SPH&#039;s 2024 Convocation\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2024\/05\/snapshot-9Q1A6400.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2024\/05\/snapshot-9Q1A6400-636x398.jpg 636w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2024\/05\/snapshot-9Q1A6400-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2024\/05\/snapshot-9Q1A6400-768x480.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2024\/05\/snapshot-9Q1A6400-755x472.jpg 755w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2024\/05\/snapshot-9Q1A6400-900x563.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2024\/05\/snapshot-9Q1A6400-1200x750.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-editorial-leadin-caption wp-prepress-component-caption\">Photo from SPH Archive<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"container-words-outer\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"container-words-inner has-opacity-80\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"wp-prepress-tag\">practice<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"head\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<strong>Faculty, Staff, and Students to be Recognized with 2025 SPH Awards<\/strong>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"deck\">Urmi Phanse, Chris Louis, Nicole Huberfeld, Mary Murphy-Phillips, David Jernigan, and Anita DeStefano are among those who will receive awards at convocation.<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<div class=\"wp-prepress-component-metabar sphnews-prepress-layout-metabar\">\n\t<div class=\"wp-prepress-component-metabar-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-prepress-component-metabar-date\">May 2, 2025<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-prepress-component-metabar-credits\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul data-credit-type=\"By\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/news\/authors\/megan-jones\/\">Megan Jones<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"wp-prepress-component-metabar-share js-bu-prepress-share-tools\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"icon-twitter\"><span>Twitter<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"icon-facebook\"><span>Facebook<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"icon-action\"><\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\n<p>Congratulations to the members of the School of Public Health community who will be honored with awards at the 2025 SPH Convocation!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>2025 Podium Awardees<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/sph\/files\/2025\/05\/IMG_5852-1024x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-253981\" width=\"259\" height=\"259\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2025\/05\/IMG_5852-1024x1024.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2025\/05\/IMG_5852-636x636.jpeg 636w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2025\/05\/IMG_5852-150x150.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2025\/05\/IMG_5852-768x768.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2025\/05\/IMG_5852-755x755.jpeg 755w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2025\/05\/IMG_5852-1000x1000.jpeg 1000w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2025\/05\/IMG_5852-500x500.jpeg 500w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2025\/05\/IMG_5852-900x900.jpeg 900w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2025\/05\/IMG_5852-550x550.jpeg 550w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2025\/05\/IMG_5852-710x710.jpeg 710w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2025\/05\/IMG_5852-300x300.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2025\/05\/IMG_5852-600x600.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2025\/05\/IMG_5852-100x100.jpeg 100w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2025\/05\/IMG_5852.jpeg 1064w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 259px) 100vw, 259px\" \/><figcaption>Urmi Phanse<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/urmiphanse\/\">Urmi Phanse<\/a><\/strong><\/strong>, an MPH graduate, is the winner of the 2025 Leonard H. Glantz Award for Academic Excellence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Glantz Award is the highest award granted to a graduating MPH student at SPH. The honor is named for Leonard H. Glantz, emeritus professor of health law, bioethics &amp; human rights, who served for 30 years as academic dean and demanded rigorous standards in curriculum and teaching throughout the academic program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Glantz Award winners are nominated by faculty, and demonstrate exceptional academic performance, seriousness, and professionalism in public health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Phanse\u2019s nomination letters paint a picture of a bright and generous leader with a talent for teaching and mentorship. Described in one letter as having a \u201chumanitarian spirit,\u201d Phanse fully devoted herself to service during her time at SPH: service to her peers, service to the community, and service to vulnerable populations abroad. Phanse networked with peers as a member of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/students\/on-campus-students\/student-services\/student-organizations\/international-students-organization\/\">International Students Organization<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/busph_cc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Consulting Club<\/a>, and ultimately formed her own informal mentorship network to connect other students with campus employment opportunities. As team lead for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/students\/on-campus-students\/academic-accommodations-and-support\/communication-resources\/\">Peer Writing Coach Program<\/a>, she also proved an invaluable resource to students seeking assistance with written assignments. Phanse served as a teaching assistant (TA) for three courses\u2014<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/sph\/courses\/sph-ph-717\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Quantitative Methods for Public Health (PH717)<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/sph\/courses\/sph-bs-723\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Introduction to Statistical Computing (PH723)<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/academics\/sph\/courses\/sph-gh-854\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">From Data to Dashboards: Building Excel Skills to Support Health Program Decisions (GH854)<\/a>. As TA, she helped her peers to navigate challenging material with notable patience and clarity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to faculty nominators, Phanse demonstrated an excellent aptitude for data analysis and represented SPH in the international 2025 SAS Curiosity Cup, where students apply statistical programming to analyze public data. A faculty member with whom Phanse worked as a TA noted, \u201cMs. Phanse transformed our most challenging course into an intellectual journey that students embraced. [\u2026] Under her guidance, classes showed a remarkable 15% improvement in retention of complex statistical concepts.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In collaboration with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/profile\/david-hamer\/\">David Hamer<\/a>, professor of global health, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/profile\/godfrey-biemba\/\">Godfrey Biemba<\/a>, adjunct research assistant professor of global health, Phanse conducted health equity research into how Kangaroo mother care can be used to improve neonatal outcomes in Zambia. She also completed a practicum at Boston Medical Center, where she contributed to mental health initiatives for court-involved individuals and children who have experienced trauma. On top of her academics, extracurriculars, and research activities, Phanse also served as a <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/alzresearch\/research\/professional-training\/\" target=\"_blank\">student ambassador<\/a> for <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/alzresearch\/\" target=\"_blank\">BU\u2019s Alzheimer\u2019s Disease Research Center<\/a>, conducting community outreach to raise awareness of cognitive impairments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI have encountered many exceptional individuals in my career, but Ms. Phanse stands alone in her ability to elevate everyone around her,\u201d reads one nomination letter. \u201c[\u2026] She is a beacon of excellence whose impact will resonate far beyond Boston University.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/sph\/files\/2024\/10\/Chris-Louis6e-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Headshot of Chris Louis\" class=\"wp-image-246494\" width=\"256\" height=\"256\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2024\/10\/Chris-Louis6e-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2024\/10\/Chris-Louis6e-636x636.jpg 636w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2024\/10\/Chris-Louis6e-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2024\/10\/Chris-Louis6e-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2024\/10\/Chris-Louis6e-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2024\/10\/Chris-Louis6e-2048x2048.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2024\/10\/Chris-Louis6e-755x755.jpg 755w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2024\/10\/Chris-Louis6e-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2024\/10\/Chris-Louis6e-500x500.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2024\/10\/Chris-Louis6e-1200x1200.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2024\/10\/Chris-Louis6e-900x900.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2024\/10\/Chris-Louis6e-1920x1920.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2024\/10\/Chris-Louis6e-550x550.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2024\/10\/Chris-Louis6e-710x710.jpg 710w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2024\/10\/Chris-Louis6e-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2024\/10\/Chris-Louis6e-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2024\/10\/Chris-Louis6e-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 256px) 100vw, 256px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/profile\/christopher-louis\/\">Christopher Louis<\/a><\/strong><\/strong>, interim chair and clinical professor in the Department of Health Law, Policy &amp; Management, is the winner of the 2025 Norman A. Scotch Award for Excellence in Teaching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Named after SPH\u2019s founding dean who worked to make education a hallmark of the School, the Scotch Award is presented annually to an individual who has made outstanding and sustained contributions to the education program at SPH.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While continuing to teach several popular healthcare management courses himself, Louis has developed SPH\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/education\/degrees-and-programs\/master-of-public-health-programs\/certificates\/mph-functional-certificates\/healthcare-management\/\">healthcare management certificate<\/a> into the #1 ranked HCM program in New England and among the most successful in the country. As program director, Louis carefully curated a comprehensive and practical curriculum that floated the certificate through accreditation. He has also established new processes for garnering feedback from current students and formed a steering committee of program alumni to help guide future decision-making. A colleague described Louis as the \u201cengine\u201d behind the program\u2019s growth and success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Louis is admired for both his program leadership and his teaching prowess. He is widely known for making investments in student success that extend beyond coursework, offering students unparalleled access to his time and empowering them to thrive under his mentorship and encouragement. His nomination letter reads, \u201cEvery student I have spoken with\u2014without exception\u2014has praised [Louis\u2019] teaching methods [\u2026] His teaching is so engaging and well-regarded that students from other certificates inquire about and hope to take his class, a testament to the high demand for his instruction.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A past student commended Louis\u2019 ability to simplify complex concepts and connect theories to real-world applications, noting, \u201cDr. Louis embodies the essence of an extraordinary educator who is passionate about teaching and deeply devoted to his student\u2019s development, both inside and outside the classroom. Another student, whose dissertation committee included Louis, wrote, \u201cChris has a rare ability to see potential in others, often before they recognize it themselves, and he challenges them to grow in ways that feel both unexpected and perfectly suited to their strengths. He\u2019s always there to offer support\u2014not just when it\u2019s easy, but in a way that makes you feel truly valued rather than ever being an imposition.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/sph\/files\/2017\/07\/Nicole-Huberfeld.jpg\" alt=\"Nicole Huberfeld\" class=\"wp-image-133936\" width=\"260\" height=\"260\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2017\/07\/Nicole-Huberfeld.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2017\/07\/Nicole-Huberfeld-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2017\/07\/Nicole-Huberfeld-500x500.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2017\/07\/Nicole-Huberfeld-550x550.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2017\/07\/Nicole-Huberfeld-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2017\/07\/Nicole-Huberfeld-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 260px) 100vw, 260px\" \/><figcaption>Nicole Huberfeld<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/profile\/nicole-huberfeld\/\">Nicole Huberfeld<\/a><\/strong><\/strong>, Edward R. Utley Professor of Health Law, is the winner of the 2025 Faculty Award for Excellence in Research and Scholarship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This honor is given annually to recognize a faculty member for a distinguished body of scholarly or scientific work on a specific topic or within a general area of expertise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A respected expert on reproductive justice, Huberfeld is internationally renowned for her research at the intersection of health law and constitutional law. She has authored more than 100 publications, contributed to two leading health law case books, and written many book chapters, law journal articles, peer-reviewed articles, and commentaries. In addition to chairing the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/academics\/explore-your-options\/health-law\/\" target=\"_blank\">BU Health Law Program <\/a>and co-directing the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/academics\/find-degrees-and-programs\/jd-program\/bu-program-on-reproductive-justice\/\" target=\"_blank\">BU Program on Reproductive Justice<\/a>, Huberfeld also serves as research director for the Uniform Law Commission\u2019s Joint Editorial Board on Health Law. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Her expertise has frequently landed her interviews with major media outlets, and judicial opinions from state courts all the way up through the U.S. Supreme Court have cited her work. In a nomination letter for the award, Huberfeld\u2019s colleague writes of her, \u201cShe exemplifies everything that we strive to achieve and is one of BUSPH&#8217;s leading researchers. She is most deserving.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/sph\/files\/2013\/10\/Mary-Murphy-Phillips.jpg\" alt=\"Mary Murphy-Phillips\" class=\"wp-image-133858\" width=\"258\" height=\"258\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2013\/10\/Mary-Murphy-Phillips.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2013\/10\/Mary-Murphy-Phillips-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2013\/10\/Mary-Murphy-Phillips-500x500.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2013\/10\/Mary-Murphy-Phillips-550x550.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2013\/10\/Mary-Murphy-Phillips-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2013\/10\/Mary-Murphy-Phillips-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 258px) 100vw, 258px\" \/><figcaption>Mary Murphy-Phillips<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/profile\/mary-murphy-phillips\/\"><strong>Mary Murphy-Phillips<\/strong><\/a><\/strong> (MET&#8217;03), assistant dean for students, is the winner of the 2025 Dzidra J. Knecht Staff Award for Distinguished Service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The highest award for school service that can be given to a staff member at SPH, the Knecht Award recognizes staff who have made outstanding and sustained contributions to the administrative functioning of their departments and therefore the School. It is named in honor of Dzidra J. Knecht, the School\u2019s first associate dean for administration, who spent 30 years working for the University, 20 of them at SPH.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The highest award for school service that can be given to a staff member at SPH, the Knecht Award recognizes staff who have made outstanding and sustained contributions to the administrative functioning of their departments and therefore the School. It is named in honor of Dzidra J. Knecht, the School\u2019s first associate dean for administration, who spent 30 years working for the University, 20 of them at SPH.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Murphy-Phillips\u2019 service to SPH goes back far longer than most of the School\u2019s other staff\u2014even Knecht, the namesake of the award Murphy-Phillips is to receive. Murphy-Phillips has held one position or another at SPH for more than 30 years, beginning in 1996 when she was hired as department and financial manager in the Department of Epidemiology. Her talent for mentoring students led her to quickly ascend the ranks to her current position, where she is not only responsible for welcoming hundreds of students to the school each year but also shepherding each, to the best of her ability, through to convocation. Murphy-Phillips and her team also annually put on some of SPH\u2019s largest public-facing events, including new student orientation, admitted students\u2019 day, and the convocation ceremonies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although the past five years have proven particularly challenging, Murphy-Phillips has consistently risen to the occasion. Whether it be the stress of the pandemic, increasing rates of mental health issues among young people, or persistent food insecurity, nominators noted her &#8220;unwavering dedication to connecting students with the resources they need to succeed&#8221;. What is more, according to her nomination letters, she always extends the same compassion and empathy brought to her interactions with students to her interactions with colleagues. \u201cAsk Mary,\u201d is a frequent refrain across the Talbot Building, since it is a widely assumed that she will know what to do, either because she has dealt with situation before or because she will draw on her deep relationships across the university to find a solution. More than one of Murphy-Phillips\u2019 nominators noted they would be amiss to not express appreciation for her warmth and endearing sense of humor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2018\u201cWhen you are lucky enough to make her laugh,\u201d wrote one colleague, \u201cher laugh is loud enough to reach from (Talbot) East to (Talbot) West. We all benefit from that levity more than she\u2019ll ever know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/sph\/files\/2018\/05\/David-Jernigan-1-e1745853869857.jpg\" alt=\"David Jernigan\" class=\"wp-image-205230\" width=\"262\" height=\"262\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2018\/05\/David-Jernigan-1-e1745853869857.jpg 707w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2018\/05\/David-Jernigan-1-e1745853869857-636x636.jpg 636w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2018\/05\/David-Jernigan-1-e1745853869857-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2018\/05\/David-Jernigan-1-e1745853869857-500x500.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2018\/05\/David-Jernigan-1-e1745853869857-550x550.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2018\/05\/David-Jernigan-1-e1745853869857-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2018\/05\/David-Jernigan-1-e1745853869857-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2018\/05\/David-Jernigan-1-e1745853869857-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 262px) 100vw, 262px\" \/><figcaption>David Jernigan<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/profile\/david-jernigan\/\">David Jernigan<\/a><\/strong><\/strong>, professor of health law, policy &amp; management, is the winner of the 2025 Award for Excellence in Public Health Practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This honor is presented annually to a faculty or staff member who has made outstanding and sustained contributions to the health of populations through advocacy work, community engagement, and\/or public policy endeavors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As assistant dean of SPH\u2019s Activist Lab, Jernigan is a fixture of the School\u2019s advocacy scene. He is well-known for regularly testifying at the city, state, and national levels on alcohol policy, as well as for training young people in the skills to participate in advocacy themselves. His research on alcohol advertising, taxation, and availability and its effects on young people is frequently cited in the media, further evidence of the effort he extends to translate his research findings for real-world policy and practice. For example, Jernigan has long served as senior policy advisor to the nonprofit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cityhealth.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CityHealth<\/a>, an initiative of the de Beaumont Foundation and Kaiser Permanente that rates U.S. cities on their progress in adopting evidence-based policies to support health and wellbeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In his nomination letter, Jernigan\u2019s colleague cites Jernigan\u2019s sign-off to a recent email exchange as further evidence of his ongoing commitment to community engagement. Jernigan had written that he was \u201cin Brazil right now, coaching a team from civil society on how to get stronger regulation of alcohol marketing.\u201d He then asked the colleague to wish them luck as the team would be meeting with representatives from the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Health the following day. \u201cThis is another great example of why he should be considered for this award,\u201d wrote the colleague. \u201cHis efforts across several decades should be celebrated!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/sph\/files\/2013\/10\/Anita-DeStefano-3.jpg\" alt=\"Anita DeStefano\" class=\"wp-image-134025\" width=\"258\" height=\"258\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2013\/10\/Anita-DeStefano-3.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2013\/10\/Anita-DeStefano-3-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2013\/10\/Anita-DeStefano-3-500x500.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2013\/10\/Anita-DeStefano-3-550x550.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2013\/10\/Anita-DeStefano-3-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2013\/10\/Anita-DeStefano-3-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 258px) 100vw, 258px\" \/><figcaption>Anita DeStefano<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/profile\/anita-destefano\/\"><strong>Anita DeStefano<\/strong><\/a><\/strong>, professor of biostatistics, received the 2025 Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Award.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This award honors a faculty or staff member who has done extraordinary work promoting diversity, equity, and justice and cultivating a culture of inclusion throughout the School.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>DeStefano has served as a champion for diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) over the years in numerous ways through a variety of roles in her department, at SPH, at BU, and on behalf her field. As the graduate affairs faculty fellow for diversity and inclusion, DeStefano co-facilitated two university-wide workshops during spring and fall 2024 that attracted more than 150 faculty, staff, and graduate students to learn about equitable admissions. She also co-led a course on inclusive STEM teaching to increase the self-efficacy of STEM instructors to provide an inclusive learning environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>DeStefano\u2019s leadership has also proven invaluable to the BUSPH DEI Committee, the Biostatistics DEI Committee, and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/departments\/biostatistics\/summer-institute-for-training-in-biostatistics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">BU Summer Institute for Research Education in Biostatistics<\/a> (SIBS). During her more than a decade at the helm of SIBS as co-principal investigator, DeStefano has made it her mission to increase the program\u2019s enrollment of minority, first generation, and economically disadvantaged students. She plans to use her upcoming sabbatical to further expand her knowledge and skills around inclusive teaching and mentorship as well as to further her expertise in the study of diverse populations in genomics research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Additional 2025 Awardees<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Congratulations also to the following faculty, staff, and students who will be honored at a school-wide Awards Ceremony on Friday, May 16.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>Faculty<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Excellence in Teaching Award for Teaching in the Core<br><strong>Bruce Larson<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Excellence in Teaching Award for Student Engagement<br><strong>Bill MacLeod<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Excellence in Teaching Award for Dedication to Student Learning<br><strong>Kevin Lane<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Excellence in Teaching Award for Outstanding New Instructor<br><strong>Fatema Shafie Khorassani<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Excellence in Research Early Career Award<br><strong>Amelia Wesselink<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Excellence in Research Innovation Award<br><strong>Patricia Fabian<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Excellence in Research Mentoring Award<br><strong>Gregory Wellenius<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Educational Innovation<br><strong>Marcia Pescador Jimenez<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>Staff<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Staff Excellence Award in Collaboration<br><strong>Erica Augustine<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Staff Excellence Award in Mentorship or Training<br><strong>Heatherly Mitch<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Staff Excellence Award in Leadership<br><strong>Nikki Longe<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Karen Smith Award<br><strong>Denise Sanchez<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3>Students<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Excellence in Student Services &amp; Leadership Award<br><strong>Summya Khatoon<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Excellence in Student Success &amp; Leadership Award<br><strong>Wendelyn Hansbury<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Student Award for Excellence in Public Health Practice<br><strong>Lyv Norris<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Student Award<br><strong>Mai Hussein<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Eugene Declercq Award for Excellence in a Public Health Practice Dissertation<br><strong>Charl Bezuidenhout<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Community Health Sciences \u201cRising Star\u201d Award<br><strong>Tiana Mason<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Restuccia Award for Achievement in Social Justice in Community Health<br><strong>Isabelle Joseph<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>James F. Burgess Award for the Best Student Paper in Health Services Research<br><strong>Allison Dorneo<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Allan R. Meyers Memorial Award for Excellence in Health Policy &amp; Management<br><strong>Allison Fischman<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>David K. Jones Award for Commitment to Health Policy and Social Justice<br><strong>Eric Ngo<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>William B. Patterson Memorial Prize for Excellence in Environmental and Occupational Health<br><strong>Georgia Quesnelle<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Theodore Colton Prize for Excellence in Epidemiology<br><strong>Ojasvi Vachharajani<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Epidemiology Academic Excellence Award<br><strong>Michelle Flesaker<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Center for Health Law, Ethics and Human Rights Award<br><strong>Rebecca Rohac<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The John Snow, Inc. Award in Global Health<br><strong>Sanjiv Gupta<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Herb Kayne Prize for Excellence in Biostatistics<br><strong>Dan Nguyen<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Biostatistics Academic Excellence Award<br><strong>Anushka Aghi<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Biostatistics Excellence in Research Award<br><strong>Shae Gantt<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Sherri Oliver Stuver Award<br><strong>Chad Coleman<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Innovative Practicum Award<br><strong>Sanjiv Gupta<\/strong><br><strong>Dan Nguyen<\/strong><br><strong>Olivia Wilson<\/strong><br><strong>John Lambert<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories is-style-card has-three sphnews-block-editorial-relatedstories\">\n\t\t<h3 class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories-title\">Related<\/h3>\n\t\t<ul class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories-list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<article class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories-article\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories-article-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img width=\"2048\" height=\"1238\" src=\"\/sph\/files\/2025\/05\/AP-117th-Congress-Official-Headshot-1-scaled-cropped.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2025\/05\/AP-117th-Congress-Official-Headshot-1-scaled-cropped.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2025\/05\/AP-117th-Congress-Official-Headshot-1-scaled-cropped-636x384.jpg 636w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2025\/05\/AP-117th-Congress-Official-Headshot-1-scaled-cropped-1024x619.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2025\/05\/AP-117th-Congress-Official-Headshot-1-scaled-cropped-768x464.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2025\/05\/AP-117th-Congress-Official-Headshot-1-scaled-cropped-1536x929.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2025\/05\/AP-117th-Congress-Official-Headshot-1-scaled-cropped-755x456.jpg 755w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2025\/05\/AP-117th-Congress-Official-Headshot-1-scaled-cropped-1628x984.jpg 1628w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2025\/05\/AP-117th-Congress-Official-Headshot-1-scaled-cropped-900x544.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2025\/05\/AP-117th-Congress-Official-Headshot-1-scaled-cropped-1920x1161.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/files\/2025\/05\/AP-117th-Congress-Official-Headshot-1-scaled-cropped-1200x725.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories-article-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories-article-category\"><span>Featured<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories-article-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/news\/articles\/2025\/ayanna-pressley-named-2025-sph-convocation-speaker\/\" class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories-article-title-link\">Ayanna Pressley Named 2025 SPH Convocation Speaker<\/a><\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories-article-date\">May 3, 2025<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<article class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories-article\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories-article-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img width=\"600\" height=\"362\" src=\"\/sph\/files\/2025\/05\/gilbert-litalien-headshot-600x362-1.png\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Headshot of Gilbert L&#039;Italien\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories-article-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories-article-category\"><span>epidemiology<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories-article-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/news\/articles\/2025\/alum-gilbert-litalien-to-speak-at-2025-convocation\/\" class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories-article-title-link\">Alum Gilbert L&#8217;Italien to Speak at 2025 Convocation<\/a><\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories-article-date\">May 3, 2025<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<article class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories-article\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories-article-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img width=\"600\" height=\"362\" src=\"\/sph\/files\/2025\/05\/Venugopal_Diksha_thumb-990000079e028a3.png\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories-article-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories-article-category\"><span>convocation<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories-article-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/news\/articles\/2025\/diksha-venugopal-named-2025-convocation-student-speaker\/\" class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories-article-title-link\">Diksha Venugopal Named 2025 Convocation Student Speaker<\/a><\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-editorial-relatedstories-article-date\">May 1, 2025<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Congratulations to the members of the School of Public Health community who will be honored with awards at the 2025 SPH Convocation! 2025 Podium Awardees Urmi Phanse, an MPH graduate, is the winner of the 2025 Leonard H. Glantz Award for Academic Excellence. The Glantz Award is the highest award granted to a graduating MPH [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22210,"featured_media":253904,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"bu_prepress_billboard":"","_bu_prepress_primary_term":"","_bu_prepress_primary_term_manual":""},"tags":[2094,1272,4671,4869,4749,1265,2367,4868,3177,1988],"bu-publication":[3516],"sphnews-article-category":[3519,3531,3541,4084],"sphnews-topic":[],"bu_edition":[],"media_type":[],"profile_tax":[424,4874,2765,342,2463],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bu-article\/253799"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bu-article"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/bu-article"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/22210"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=253799"}],"version-history":[{"count":27,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bu-article\/253799\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":257812,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bu-article\/253799\/revisions\/257812"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/253904"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=253799"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=253799"},{"taxonomy":"bu-publication","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bu-publication?post=253799"},{"taxonomy":"sphnews-article-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/sphnews-article-category?post=253799"},{"taxonomy":"sphnews-topic","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/sphnews-topic?post=253799"},{"taxonomy":"bu_edition","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bu_edition?post=253799"},{"taxonomy":"media_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media_type?post=253799"},{"taxonomy":"profile_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/profile_tax?post=253799"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}