Congratulations to the Class of 2018
Nearly 200 graduates were celebrated at the UIC School of Public Health commencement ceremony on May 12, 2018. Graduates and their guests were welcomed by the school’s dean, Wayne H. Giles, who presided over the ceremony for the first time since becoming the school’s dean. “It is a privilege to be charged with the education and development of the next generation of public health leaders. A privilege that our faculty and esteemed guests respect and are committed to fulfilling,” said Giles.UIC’s Chancellor, Michael D. Amiridis, had the honor of introducing this year’s guest speaker, David Satcher, MD, who is the Founding Director and Senior Advisor for the Satcher Health Leadership Institute at the Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta. Satcher previously served as the 16th Surgeon General of the United States and the 10th Assistant Secretary for Health in the Department of Health and Human Services.
“My work in public health has included the opportunity to serve in several key roles, where I confronted the lack of emphasis on the brain and the need for more programs to protect and promote the health of the brain,” Satcher said.
He spoke about a public health responsibility to create an environment that is healthy for brain development, including working to promote immunizations for all children, creating safe communities, and addressing health disparities.
Satcher inspired the graduates to continue to focus on the development of their brains and the brains of others – especially, children. He championed the idea of investing in leadership development programs for themselves and future colleagues of public health. “We need leaders who care enough, know enough, and have the courage to do enough until the job is done. We need you at your best!”
An important part of the ceremony was the presentation of awards. The Bernard H. Baum Golden Apple Award and the Silver Circle Award were presented to Dr. Emily Stiehl and Funlayo Apantaku-Onayemi, respectively. Both were chosen for their outstanding teaching and extraordinary service to students.
The Alan W. Donaldson Memorial Award, named for UIC SPH’s first Associate Dean, is given to a student who demonstrates academic excellence, leadership and service. This year, it was presented to Dr. Latania Logan, who earned a Master of Science degree in epidemiology while working as the Chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Rush University.
“Already a recognized scholar in antimicrobial resistance, she entered our program to advance her command of research methods,” said Dr. Linda Forst, Senior Associate Dean. Forst said Logan was selected in part because she mentored residents, graduate students, and fellows and volunteered in the community.
After the conferral of degrees, Todd Stankewicz, MBA, (MPH ‘01), Co-chair of the SPH Alumni Council, encouraged the new graduates to stay connected to their alma mater. Stankewicz urged the graduates to get involved by attending alumni events, hosting a student intern, or volunteering and donating to the school.