Newsmakers: January 2025

Sophia Meador

Ranney named co-chair

APHA member Megan Ranney, MD, MPH, was named co-chair of the planning committee for the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health’s 2025 Annual Meeting in October. Ranney is dean of the Yale School of Public Health. She will be involved in selecting key topics for the March meeting.

Amon named director

Joseph Amon, PhD, MSPH, was named director of the Center for Public Health and Human Rights at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in October. Amon previously worked at Drexel University’s Dornsife School of Public Health. He will lead the center’s initiatives to advance policies and institutions that protect health and human rights.

Chambliss awarded

Jessica Chambliss, PhD, MPH, was awarded the President’s Award for Excellence by the University of Alabama at Birmingham in September. Chambliss is assistant professor at university’s School of Public Health and assistant dean of public health practice.

Benjamin honored

APHA Executive Director Georges Benjamin, MD, was awarded the Professional Achievement Award by the Illinois Institute of Technology in September. Benjamin, former secretary of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, was recognized for his service and research on sickle cell anemia, Ebola and COVID-19.

Chemerynski named chair

Susan Chemerynski, ScD, MPH, was named Jacob I. and Irene B. Fabrikant Chair in Health, Risk and Society by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in October. Chemerynski joined the school in August as associate professor and director of the Risk Science and Public Policy Institute.

Davis named interim commissioner

Steve Davis, MD, was named interim commissioner of health for Lexington-Fayette County Health Department in Kentucky in October. Davis had previously served as the department’s medical director since 2013.

Echo-Hawk recognized

Abigail Echo-Hawk, MA, was recognized as an emerging advocate by Time100 Next 2024 in October. Echo-Hawk is executive vice president of the Seattle Indian Health Board and director of the Urban Indian Health Institute. She was recognized for uplifting the voices and health outcomes of American Indian and other Indigenous people.

Farley appointed associate dean

Jason Farley, PhD, MPH, MSN, was appointed associate dean for community programs and initiatives at the John Hopkins School of Nursing in September. Farley, an infectious disease nurse practitioner, epidemiologist and health services researcher, is founding director of the Center for Infectious Disease and Nursing Innovation.

Fischer awarded

Rebecca Fischer, PhD, was awarded the 2024 School of Public Health Dean’s Faculty Research Excellence Award in September. Fischer is associate professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Texas A&M University School of Public Health. She was recognized for outstanding research as an early career faculty member.

GWU announces new institute

The George Washington University announced the launch of the Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition Security in November. The institute, based at the Milken Institute School of Public Health, was created to promote food safety and nutritional security.

Haynes awarded

Tiffany Haynes, PhD, was awarded the 2024 University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Chancellor’s Award for Educational Excellence in August. Haynes, associate professor in the Department of Health Behavior and Health Education at the Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, has been with the university since 2014. Her dedication to students was recognized for the award.

Huisingh-Scheetz awarded

Megan Huisingh-Scheetz, MD, MPH, was awarded the 2024 Terrie Fox Welte Rising Star Award in Health Services and Aging Research by the American Federation for Aging Research in November. Huisingh-Scheetz is associate professor at the University of Chicago and the associate director of the Aging Research Program. She is also co-director of the university’s Successful Aging and Frailty Evaluation clinic.

Maria Trent awarded

Maria Trent, MD, MPH, was award the 2025 David G. Nichols Health Equity Award from the American Pediatric Society in November. Trent is the Bloomberg endowed professor of American health, pediatrics and nursing at the Johns Hopkins University. She was recognized for advancing the health of vulnerable children, adolescents and young adults.

Reddy elected

Uma Reddy, MD, MPH, was elected to the National Academy of Medicine in October. Reddy is vice chair of research and professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. She was recognized for her research in stillbirth, neonatal health and labor management.

Rodriguez named scholar

Sarina Rodriguez was named Health Policy Researcher Scholar by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in October. Rodriguez, a second-year PhD student in public health at the University of California-Merced, focuses her research on how policy and systemic oppression affect the health and safety of farmworkers and their communities.

Roesslet named director

Rebecca Roesslet, MPH, was named director of Columbia-Boone County Public Health and Human Services in Missouri in September. Roesslet joined the department in 2003, most recently serving as planning unit supervisor and assistant director.

Skipper awarded

Helen “Skip” Skipper, MS, was awarded the STAR Equity Champion of the Year Award by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in September. Skipper, executive director of the New York City Justice Peer Initiative, was recognized for her work in peer-support initiatives, equity and social justice. The STAR award honors “SAMHSA Trailblazers in Advancing Recovery.”

Tarver named director

Michelle Tarver, MD, PhD, was named director of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health in October. With over 15 years of experience at the FDA, she has held various leadership roles, including acting director and chief transformation officer at the center.

Taylor awarded

Hermon Taylor, MD, MPH, was awarded the 2024 Clinical Research Prize from the American Heart Association in November. Taylor is the endowed professor and director of the Cardiovascular Research Institute at the Morehouse School of Medicine.