Alumni Achievements

Rachel Berkowitzv, DrPH, is an assistant professor of public health at San Jose State University, where she leads their MPH program evaluation efforts. Berkowitz was recently selected as an American Evaluation Association Minority Serving Institution Fellow, highlighting her achievements and commitment to expanding community-based participatory research methods and health equity.

Michael Bird, MPH, a former president of the American Public Health Association and member of the Kewa Pueblo tribe has been working with Native Americans and public health throughout his career, has continued this during the pandemic and was cited in the New York Times as an expert addressing the racial inequities that the pandemic further highlighted.

Ayanna Bennett, MD, a pediatrician, Berkeley Public Health alum, MS, 1999, and health equity officer in San Francisco, was named acting director of the Washington D.C. health department, known informally as “D.C. ‘s doctor”.

Lisa Hernandez, MPH, 2006, has been appointed as a Public Health Officer for Santa Cruz County. Hernandez has worked in the field of medicine and public health for 25 years. She most recently served as Public Health Officer for the City of Berkeley.

Paul Hoffman, DrPH, 1994, has received the 2023 Lifetime Service Award from ACHE for his work in advancing ethical standards for the profession. He has also been honored with the Albert Schweitzer Leadership Award, the American Hospital Association’s Award of Honor, and the Distinguished Leadership Award from our own Graduate Program in Health Management Alumni Association.

Nancy Krieger, PhD, 1989, Professor of Epidemiology at Harvard University and one of the School’s most world renowned alums, just learned that she’ll be receiving APHA’s highest honor, the Sedgwick Medal, at APHA’s Atlanta meeting this November. Read more here.

James Meyers, DrPH, 2001, was appointed as Public Health Commissioner for District 3 in Alameda County. His voluntary work has included past appointments as an Alameda County Public Health Commissioner and as an elected Alameda Health Care District Director.

Professor Madhukar Pai, MD, PhD, 2004, has been appointed as the inaugural Chair of the Department of Global and Public Health (DGPH), School of Population and Global Health, McGill University.

Mary Pittman, MPH, 1980, has been named, by the Public Health Institute, in NonProfit Times as Top 50 Executive. Pittman was recognized for her innovation, impact, influence and leadership in responding to change and challenges facing the nonprofit sector over the past year.

Baljeet Sangha, MPH, 2010, has received the 2023 Robert S. Hudgens Memorial Award for Young Heathcare Executives from the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) at their recent national meeting in Chicago. He was cited for, among other things, his leadership as chief operating officer of the San Francisco Health Network in meeting the needs of disadvantaged and marginalized people particularly during the pandemic and natural disasters.

Laura Stachel, DrPH, 2020, of We Care Solar in Berkeley, has been named the 2024 AARP Purpose Prize winner! We Care Solar produces portable solar suitcases to bring electricity to obstetric facilities in low-income countries.