News

Each year, the Colorado School of Public Health honors exceptional students, faculty, and staff at an annual awards ceremony coinciding with graduation.

“We could not do this work without the commitment and dedication of our outstanding faculty, staff, students, and community partners,” said Samet. “That’s why each and every year, we recognize exemplary colleagues for excellence in teaching, mentoring, research, leadership, and contributions to public health.”

Passion for extending the Colorado School of Public Health’s reach, strengthening public health partnerships, and expanding education and training activities helped determine award winners.

The following individuals have made outstanding contributions to public health and our school. Congratulations to this year's award winners!

Colorado School of Public Health Awards

Dean’s Special Recognition Award

Awarded at the discretion of the Dean, this award has historically been presented to an individual in recognition of their contributions to establishing and developing the Colorado School of Public Health. In 2021, the scope of the award was broadened to cover contributions in Colorado more broadly, recognizing individuals and organizations for their service to the school and/or extraordinary contributions to advancing public health in Colorado.

Teresa Sharp, MEd, PhD, Retiring Campus Director & Associate Professor of Community Health Education, Colorado School of Public Health at the University of Northern Colorado
Bill Burman, MD, Former Director of the Public Health Institute, Denver Health
John Douglas, MD, Former Executive Director of the Tri-County Health Department
Jeff Zayach, MS, Former Executive Director of Boulder County Public Health

Delta Omega Honorary Inductee

Congresswoman Diana DeGette

The Honorary Delta Omega Inductee possesses exceptional qualifications and has attained meritorious distinction in the field of public health.

Faculty Excellence in Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

This award recognizes a faculty member who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the areas of student mentorship, research, practice, or education that furthers the ColoradoSPH mission and commitment to DEI.

CU Anschutz: Cerise Hunt, PhD, MSW
CSU: David Rojas-Rueda, PhD
UNC: Rose Grose, PhD

Faculty Excellence in Teaching

Alison Abraham, PhD, MS, MHS

This award recognizes a faculty member for instructional contributions to ColoradoSPH.

Faculty Excellence in Research

Lori Crane, PhD, MPH

This award recognizes an outstanding investigator with a demonstrated record of nationally and internationally recognized research or creative work providing significant contribution to their profession or discipline.

Faculty Excellence in Student Mentoring

Kaigang Li, PhD

This award recognizes a faculty member who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to student learning and professional development through advising and mentoring.

Faculty Excellence in Public Health Practice

Elaine Scallan Walter, PhD, MA

This award recognizes faculty for their excellence and commitment to public health practice or service in the Rocky Mountain Region.

Student Excellence in Public Health Practice

Lexie King

This award recognizes students, faculty, alumni, and community members for their excellence and commitment to public health practice or service in the Rocky Mountain Region.

Staff & PRA Recognition Awards

These awards recognize ColoradoSPH staff who demonstrate outstanding achievement, a strong work ethic, cooperation with others, and a commitment to the school.

Raeven Clockston, MPH BSND
Kayla Gray, BS
Laura Hager, MPA, BS
Peter Hahn, BS

Outstanding Contribution by a Student

This award is given to one student from each of our three campuses who demonstrates extraordinary commitment or contributions to our school.

CU Anschutz: Alyssa Dalen, MPH ‘23
CSU: Halley Pucker
UNC: Aurora Rousseau

University of Colorado Awards

University of Colorado President’s Excellence in Teaching Award

Courtney Welton-Mitchell, Environmental & Occupational Health

Thiis award is selected by the graduating class for outstanding, innovative, and inspirational contributions to our students’ professional development.

University of Colorado Anschutz Chancellor’s Teaching Recognition Award

Mary Sammel, ScD, Biostatistics & Informatics

This award is nominated by the graduating class and an awardee from each school on campus is selected by a committee with a student representative, a faculty representative, and an administrator.

University of Colorado President’s Teaching Scholars Program

Marcelo Perraillon, PhD, Health Systems, Management, & Policy

The PTSP is designed to honor faculty who have excelled in effective and exemplary teaching, creative work, scholarship, and research.

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Good Trouble Award

Nicole Tuitt, DrPH, MPH, Community & Behavioral Health

This award recognizes University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus students, residents, trainees, staff, and faculty members, and also community members, who have routinely gone beyond their assigned roles to advocate for equity and justice in healthcare and in society.

Colorado State University Awards

Colorado State University Extension Distinguished Service Award

Franklyn Garry, DVM, Epidemiology

This award recognizes individuals for outstanding commitment to CSU Extension and contributions made toward the Extension’s mission of providing information and education on various issues affecting individuals and communities of Colorado.