Class of 2026

We are proud to recognize Sergio Ozoria Ramírez, who has been awarded the Department of Population and Family Health Lynne Loomis-Price Award Humanitarian Award. This award is named in memory of the Department’s Associate Director of Academic Programs, Lynne Loomis-Price, and is awarded to a graduating student who exemplifies Lynne’s spirit and commitment to humanitarian work, her dedication to the reduction of health disparities, and her actions in pursuit of social justice both domestically and internationally.  

Sergio has distinguished himself through his extensive engagement across the Mailman community, NYC, and the Dominican Republic, including his contributions as a teaching assistant, RISE mentor, health educator with Project STAY, Spanish Group Facilitator with the Alzheimer’s Association, and global health research assistant at Clínica de Familia La Romana. Across these roles, he has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to social justice, community engagement, equity, and the well-being of underserved communities. 

Congratulations to Lily Coll, Rachel Kantor, and Sam Levitan, who have been awarded the Department of Population and Family Health Academic Excellence Award. This award is given on the basis of consistent excellence in coursework, an outstanding Capstone paper, and initiative and contributions that benefit the Department.  

Rachel Kantor was selected for her exemplary coursework, her contributions to the work of the Department through her research with Dr. Stephanie Grilo, and her extraordinary capstone paper on maternal sepsis. Rachel has tremendous potential as a future leader in public health.

Lily Coll demonstrated leadership as a teaching assistant and has contributed meaningfully to the work of the Rakai Orphans in Communities project through her APEx and Capstone. Lily exemplifies academic excellence and a strong commitment to public health. 

Sam Levitan was selected for his exceptional coursework and contributions to the classroom, and his capstone paper focused on Adverse Childhood Experiences and Adolescent Comfort with Healthcare Provider Alone Time. Sam is also recognized for his advocacy for public health across Mailman, CUIMC and the larger community.  

Congratulations to Mahima Agrawal and Paola Barraza-Camara, who have been awarded the Department of Population and Family Health Terry McGovern Health Justice Award. The Terry McGovern Health Justice Award is named in honor of the former Chair of PopFam and is given to students who best exemplify the centering of human rights to advance health and social justice; and direct advocacy through scholarship, action, and coalition and community building.  

In her time at Mailman, Mahima created and led the data justice think tank, advocated for human rights-centered data collection and surveillance through her Capstone paper, and demonstrated a true commitment to health equity and social justice.  

Paola extensively engaged with the upper Manhattan community through her APEx focused on gun violence prevention. Paola upholds Terry McGovern’s example through her commitment to health and human rights and her ability to build community and consensus.  

Amanda Stiffler is the recipient of the Mailman School of Public Health's Excellence in Global Health Award. This award is given to a student who has demonstrated excellence in global health research, service or practice and a commitment to improving the public health of individuals and communities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).  

Amanda has distinguished herself through her commitment to global health research and practice. Through her APEx focused on programs addressing childhood exploitation in Uganda and her Capstone paper on implementation science frameworks used in maternal and child health programs in LMICs, Amanda is committed to a career focused on improving public health in global settings.  

Dalilah Quintana Mora has been awarded the Mailman School of Public Health's Bernard Challenor Spirit Prize. This is awarded to a graduating student who demonstrates a commitment to building community across department boundaries at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.  

Dalilah was selected because of her commitment to collaboration across Mailman, CUIMC, and the larger Columbia and New York City community. Dalilah has formed partnerships across the medical center campus while doing community-based participatory research with Dr. Paris Adkins-Jackson, as well as with other MPH, Barnard and CUNY students in her work focused on public health for older adults.  

Maria Beg and Joan Gomez-Aguilar have been awarded the Mailman School of Public Health's Office of Field Practice Outstanding APEx Award. This award is given to a student who has demonstrated excellence in the fulfillment of requirements of the Applied Practice Experience (APEx) and who exhibits a commitment to the health care and prevention of marginalized communities in the US or international settings. 

Maria completed her APEx at Active Plus Inc., a community-based organization in NYC that provides fitness education for youth in underserved communities. She conducted a mixed-methods evaluation of a boxing program in Brooklyn serving middle school-aged Black students and developed an advocacy strategy to engage NYC Council Members and State legislators to expand access to health and fitness programming for underserved youth across NYC. Maria's supervisor was impressed with her maturity, initiative, and unwavering commitment to health equity.

Joan completed his APEx at the Children’s Aid Society, a longstanding citywide service provider in New York City, where he supported their Go! Healthy program focused on improving access to healthy food and nutrition education. His supervisor noted that Joan is a thoughtful practitioner who brings both compassion and analytical rigor to his work. 

Shoshana Kaplan has been awarded the Mailman School of Public Health's Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award. This award recognizes exceptional contributions by a teaching assistant who displays peerless dedication to student learning, remarkable commitment to supporting course operations, and excellence in communication with students.    

Shoshana was described by faculty she worked with as “a professor’s dream come true.” She is deeply committed to sexual and reproductive health and works tirelessly to advocate for reproductive rights on top of her commitment to supporting other students and faculty as a teaching assistant.