September 28, 2011 — HSPH Alumni Gather From Around the World
In a festive annual reunion, 160 Harvard School of Public Health alumni, students, and guests gathered at the School on September 23–25 to reconnect with former classmates, network, and engage with current topics in public health. A new addition this year was the celebration of milestone years for the Classes of 1961, 1986, and 2001, who gathered to mark their 50, 25, and 10 year reunions at a gala dinner attended by former dean Harvey Fineberg.
This year’s Alumni Weekend Symposium focused on health reform initiatives. HSPH’s John McDonough and Marc Roberts discussed improving performance and quality in the health system. John Fallon, senior vice president and chief physician executive, Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA, and JudyAnn Bigby, Massachusetts secretary of health and human services, offered perspectives on payment reform in Massachusetts. And HSPH’s William Hsiao described his innovative work helping Vermont enact a single payer health care system.
Alumni honored the 2011 recipients of the Harvard School of Public Health Alumni Award of Merit—the highest honor presented to an alumna/us. The award is given each year to up to four individuals whose leadership, community service, contributions, and commitment to the field of public health exemplify the School’s ideals. This year’s recipients are:
[[E. Francis Cook]], SM ’77, SD ’83
Hugh Fulmer, MPH ’61
William Rom, MPH ’73
Yolene Vaval Surena, MPH ’81
Additional alumni awards were presented for the first time this year:
Emerging Public Health Professional Award:
[[Hilarie Cranmer]], MPH ’04
Leadership Award in Public Health Practice:
Francoise Bouchard, MPH ’86
Public Health Innovator Award:
Trishan Panch, MPH ’10
