Public Health Graduate Students Celebrate at the 2019 Graduation Reception
To celebrate graduate students of the Masters of Public Health (MPH) program, the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine’s Department of Public Health Sciences hosted its annual graduation reception at SALT Waterfront Restaurant. The reception took place on May 7, 2019, from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
The evening began with the distribution of leis – a night of celebration and honor was underway for MPH graduate students, their guest’s, faculty, and staff. Throughout the night, the beaming smiles and enthusiastic chatter of graduate students were unmistakable.
“I felt immense pride to see the level of joy and passion at the reception. People were genuinely happy for each other and there was a sense of camaraderie,” said J. Sunil Rao, Ph.D., interim chair and division director of biostatistics at the Miller School’s Department of Public Health Sciences.
“It’s my favorite day of the year because we get to celebrate their graduation. It was a lovely gathering,” added David Lee, Ph.D., professor and graduate programs director at the Miller School’s Department of Public Health Sciences.
Throughout the gathering, students posed for group photos with Sebastian the Ibis, had dinner, and received awards for their achievements. Drs. Rao, Lee, and Viviana Horigian, Ph.D., MHA, director of public health education and associate professor, also gave congratulatory speeches to the graduates.
During the dinner portion of the event, the Delta Omega Honor Society awarded Sara St. George, Ph.D., assistant professor of public health, and Tulay Koru-Sengul, Ph.D., research associate professor of biostatistics, with awards for excellence in teaching and mentorship.
For its inaugural year, the Public Health Student Association also presented the Kevin Angelo R. Tenorio Service Award – an award in honor of Tenorio, a two-time University of Miami graduate who passed away in April after a year of battling cancer. One of Tenorio’s many accomplishments was establishing a foundation to increase healthcare access and equitable healthcare delivery to the people of the Philippines. This year, the award was received on his behalf by Layla Bouzoubaa, Devina Dave, Alyssa Falice, and Juan Carlos Nobrega. They were some of Tenorio’s closest friends and former students of the MPH program. Each year, PHSA will recognize a student with the award who demonstrates a passion for service.
PHSA also presented awards to several students, faculty, and staff. Kate McManus, MPH, received the teaching assistant award and Alberto Caban-Martinez, DO, Ph.D., MPH, CPH, assistant professor of public health, with the faculty award. Pilar Ramirez, a senior administrative assistant for the department, was also awarded the staff service award and Samantha Kanterman, MPH, with the PHSA officer award.
As the evening came to an end, graduates were thankful that they were able to celebrate the end of this chapter with each other.
“Seeing and celebrating with a lot of people that I started the program with was my favorite part of the evening,” said Jermaine Walls, MPH.
“I’m really proud of everybody who was there. It was great kind of seeing how much people have transformed and all the amazing things they're doing and going do,” added Justine Ransdell, MPH.
Written by Amanda Torres
Published on June 4, 2019
