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Annual awards recognize research, academic achievement; pay tribute to commitment to public health
May 12, 2011
Dr. Tom Chandler presents Dr. Daniela Friedman with the 2011 James A. Keith Excellence in Teaching Award.
The Arnold School of Public Health recognized exceptional achievements by students, faculty and alumni during its 2011 Hooding Ceremony, held May 5 at the Koger Center for the Arts.
The school also acknowledged 22 new members of the Mu Chapter of the Delta Omega Society, the national honorary public health society.
Dr. Daniela Friedman, an assistant professor in the Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, received the James A. Keith Excellence in Teaching Award.
In presenting the award, Dean Tom Chandler said Friedman is clearly recognized as an outstanding instructor and mentor. "She describes her teaching philosophy as 'relevance, application, and interactivity.' From both student comments and peer reviews, we see how she brings current events into the classroom and fully engages all students to recognize how the material impacts their health and well-being."
Students, faculty or alumni can make nominations for this award, which is named in memory of the late Arnold School professor and associate dean, James Keith.
Dr. Angela D. Liese, professor of epidemiology and biostatistics and director of the Center for Research in Nutrition and Health Disparities, received the Faculty Research Award.
Arnold School leaders said Liese's research has advanced the fields of nutritional, cardiovascular and diabetes epidemiology. In particular, her research has provided important tools for measuring nutrition and metabolic syndrome in at-risk populations and contributions to prevention efforts to stem the obesity epidemic. Her studies also are addressing the contributions of spatial and built environments and neighborhood contexts to chronic diseases.
Established in 1990, this award recognizes outstanding research in health-related issues.
Dr. Lillian Smith, a clinical assistant professor and director of the Office of Public Health Practice, received the Faculty Service Award.
Arnold School leaders said Smith has enhanced ASPH collaborations with the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control. "In particular, she has facilitated development of systems to better support graduate assistantships and practicum placements, and has supported both needs assessment and professional development activities for our public health workforce."
Beyond South Carolina, Smith is involved with the Practice Council, the Continuing Professional Education Council and the Distance Education Council of the Association of Schools of Public Health and with the Public Health Foundation's Council on Linkages between Academia and Practice Core Competencies Workgroup.
Established in 2001, this award recognizes exceptional outreach to the community, significant contributions to the public heath practice setting or leadership in professional organizations or university governance.
Jerin Mathew Raj of the Department of Health Services Policy and Management received the Jeffrey Keith Mattison Outstanding Achievement Award, presented annually to the master's-level graduating student who best exemplifies the special characteristics of Mattison, an epidemiology and biostatistics student who died in the fall of 1987.
Raj earned dual master's degrees in public health and social work. Drs. Michael Byrd and Deborah Beck wrote in their nomination letters that Raj exemplifies the qualities for an outstanding public health leader. An active volunteer in the community, Raj is known to readily take advantage of opportunities and "runs with them."
Christopher E. Kline, a student in the department of Exercise Science, received the Doctoral Achievement Award. Established in 1993, this award recognizes a doctoral candidate for academic performance and potential for further contributions to the practice of public health.
Kline was nominated by Drs. Shawn Youngstedt and Larry Durstine who stated that Kline clearly on a path to a very successful career. His doctoral dissertation, "The Effect of Exercise Training on the Severity and Health Consequences of Obstructive Sleep Apnea," was funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The pioneering study examined the effects of exercise training on obstructive sleep apnea.
Winners of departmental awards were:
- Communication Sciences and Disorders – Leah Zeigler, MSP Outstanding Student; Heather Nick, MCD Outstanding Student.
- Environmental Health Sciences – John Israel McKenzie and Miguel Ignacio Uyaguari Diaz, Outstanding Doctoral Students.
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics – Philip Cavicchia and Younhee Choi, Outstanding Epidemiology Students,
- Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior – Amy Teixeira, Master's Student of the Year; Alexs Koskan, Doctoral Student of the Year.
- Health Services Policy and Management – Lisa Butler Nashton, Susie Yates Scholarship; Kinsey Blair Carlson, Michael D. Jarrett Award; Graham Adams, Michael E. and Sandra P. Samuels Distinguished Alumni Award.
- Exercise Science – Benjamin Gordon and Falon Tiley, Outstanding Master's Students; Christopher Kline, Outstanding Doctoral Student.
New members of the Delta Omega Honorary Society were recognized at a dinner Wednesday, May 4, at the Public Health Research Center. Arnold School alumnus Dr. Peter B. Key, the 2011 Norman J. Arnold Medal winner, was the guest speaker.
Delta Omega honorees included faculty members Dr. Natalie Colabianchi and Dr. Julius Fridriksson, and Class of 2011 graduates Philip Patrick Cavicchia, Charis Rebecca Davidson, Meredith Anne Faulling, Alexa Ellen Gallagher, Ruth Anne Hendrickson, Lorie Love James, Kelli Kenison, Amy Elizabeth McEachin, Kathryn Rebecca Rawlings and Malerie Fay Simmons.
Alumni members were Vivian Gail Dicks, Christopher Kyle Goforth, Jay D. Hamm, Peter B. Key, Charles E. McManus, Gregory Scott Middleton, Mary S. Prince, John J. Singerling III, and Donna Elaine Smith.
Honorary member was Patricia Moore-Pastides, USC's First Lady who earned a master's degree in public health from Yale University and is an advocate for healthy lifestyles among the University community. She also is a frequent guest speaker for the popular Columbia's Cooking! program and is author of the cookbook Greek Revival: Cooking for Life.
Founded at the School of Hygiene and Public Health at the Johns Hopkins University in 1924, Delta Omega is equivalent to Phi Beta Kappa for undergraduate studies in letters.
