Newsmakers: September 2025

Arushi Dogra

Barnes awarded

APHA member Priscilla Barnes, PhD, was awarded the Mary Burgan Distinguished Service Award in July from Indiana University. Barnes is an associate professor in the Department of Applied Health Science within the university’s School of Public Health-Bloomington. The award recognized her impact on campus and beyond.

Hyder named dean, professorship

APHA member Adnan Hyder MD, PhD, MPH, was named dean of Boston University School of Public Health and the Robert A. Know professor in July. Hyder formerly served as senior associate dean for research and innovation at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health in Washington, D.C.

Lincoln appointed co-chair

APHA member Karen Lincoln, PhD, was appointed co-chair of the Environmental Justice Advisory Council for the California Department of Toxic Substances Control in July. Lincoln is a professor of environmental and occupational health at the University of California-Irvine’s Joe C. Wen School of Population and Public Health. The council is charged with safeguarding communities disproportionately impacted by exposure to toxic substances.

Randolph named interim director, health officer

APHA member Bruce Randolph, MD, MPH, was named health officer and interim director of the Shelby County Public Health Department in Tennessee in July. Randolph brings nearly 40 years of experience, including his role as Shelby County health officer during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rimoin awarded

APHA member Anne Rimoin, PhD, MPH, was awarded the Roger Detels Distinguished Researcher Award by the Society for Epidemiologic Research in May. Rimoin, a professor of epidemiology and the Gordon–Levin endowed chair at the University of California-Los Angeles Fielding School of Public Health, was honored for research on emerging zoonotic diseases.

Westbrook awarded

APHA member Marisa Westbrook, MD, PhD, was named as a fellowship program awardee by the National Research Center on Hispanic Children and Families in May. Westbrook is an assistant professor of health promotion and community health at Portland State University. The fellowship will support her research on housing and mental health in low-income Hispanic families and children.

Sierra named director

APHA member Brett Sierra, MPH, DHSc, was appointed as Master of Public Health director at Old Dominion University in July. Sierra has served as an assistant professor in the Department of Health Behavior, Policy and Management.

Berg appointed councilmember

Paul Berg, MD, MHA, was appointed to the Michigan Public Health Advisory Council in July. Berg serves as the senior vice president and chief medical officer at MyMichigan Medical Group. He is slated to serve a four-year term.

Board members announced

The Public Health Accreditation Board announced four new board members in July: Brooke Cunningham, MD, PhD, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Health; Nilesh Kalyanaraman, MD, former deputy secretary of public health services at the Maryland Department of Health; Paula Nickelson, former director and state health officer of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services; and Karen Sheares, MD, PhD, vice president of quality science at the National Committee on Quality Assurance.

Bohannon appointed administrator

Beka Bohannon was appointed administrator of Tennesee’s Hamilton County Health and Social Services Division in July. Bohannon previously served the county as director of intergovernmental affairs, where she led response efforts to the opioid crisis.

Karim awarded

Quarraisha Abdool Karim, PhD, was awarded the 2025 Virchow Prize by the Virchow Foundation in July. Karim, a professor at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health and associate scientific director at the Center for the AIDS Program of Research in South Africa, was recognized for her research efforts.

McCamey named dean

Danielle McCamey, DNP, MS, was named the inaugural associate dean for clinical partnerships and innovation at the University of Maryland School of Nursing in July. McCamey is an assistant professor at the university, previously serving as assistant dean for strategic partnerships at the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing.

Nasmith named director

Moneen Nasmith, JD, MPA, was named the director of national climate, fossil fuel infrastructure at Earthjustice in July. Nasmith has served the organization for more than a decade. In her new role, she will lead environmental protection efforts.

Rijo-Ferreira awarded

Filipa Rijo-Ferreira, PhD, MSc, was named as a 2025 Freeman Hrabowski Scholar by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute in June. Rijo-Ferreira is an assistant professor of infectious diseases and vaccinology at the University of California-Berkeley School of Public Health.

Sanchez awarded

Pedro Sanchez, MD, was named physician of the year by the National Hispanic Medical Association in June. Sanchez is a pediatric geneticist at Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles. He was recognized for his contributions to pediatric medicine and commitment to health equity.

Sharps honored

Phyllis Sharps, PhD, RN, was honored with the Living Legend Award by the American Academy of Nursing in July. Sharps was recognized for her work supporting marginalized women affected by intimate partner violence.

Whitley-Williams awarded

Patricia Whitley-Williams, MD, was awarded the 2025 John P. Utz Leadership Award by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases in July. Whitley-Williams formerly held roles at Rutgers University’s Robert Wood Johnson Medical School as senior associate dean for equity and inclusion and professor of pediatrics. The award honors her dedication to advancing health equity, improving access to care and fostering community engagement.