Public Health Honors the Class of 2025
On April 24, 2025, the Division of Public Health proudly celebrated the Class of 2025 at a dinner reception held at Rice-Eccles Stadium. The graduating class includes 39 students who have completed various degrees and certificates through the Public Health program.
The evening began with welcome remarks from Public Health Division Chief Jim VanDerslice, PhD, who reflected on the beginning of the Division’s education program. He shared that fifty years ago, the program celebrated its first graduate, a single student earning a Master’s in Community Medicine. This historical milestone highlights the Division’s long-standing commitment to public health education and the evolution of the field over the years.
A written message from John Barrett, MD, chair of the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, was shared with the attendees. Dr. Barrett acknowledged the challenges facing public health professionals today, calling this a crucial moment for health sciences. “Let’s choose the hopeful and optimistic path. This field and this work are important and vital to communities everywhere,” he said.
Three graduating students—Glauco Souza, MPH; Alison Tubilla, MSTAT; and Jennifer Dailey-Provost, PhD—shared personal reflections. Each spoke with gratitude for the support they received throughout their programs, sharing their triumphs, and the inspiration that led them to pursue careers in public health.
The evening concluded in a moment of unity as graduates stood alongside the faculty who mentored them throughout their programs to recite the Public Health Oath. Surrounded by family, friends, and colleagues, the graduates pledged their commitment to the values and responsibilities of the public health profession. The oath marked the end of their academic chapters and the beginning of their service as the next generation of public health leaders.