Johns Hopkins University Alumni Association 2020 Virtual Awards Celebration Program

Alumni Association 2020 Virtual Awards Celebration

January 28, 2021 7:30 – 8:30 pm ET

Celebration Schedule

7:15pm

Preshow

7:30pm

Opening vocal performance

7:33pm

Welcome

7:35pm 7:39pm

Alumni members of the Octopodes, Johns Hopkins’ oldest a cappella group Susan deMuth, Associate Vice President for Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving; Executive Director, JHAA Introduction of Community Champion Awards

Wyatt Oroke, Ed ’15 Introduction of Outstanding Recent Graduate Awards

Bryan McMillan, Bus ’00, ’02

7:45pm

Introduction of Heritage Awards

7:50pm

Intermission and musical interlude

7:53pm

Introduction of Global Achievement Awards

Jill McGovern, Peabody Institute Advisory Board Chair and SAIS Board of Advisors Student members of the Octopodes Ralph Hruban, Med ’85

7:57pm

Introduction of the Distinguished Government Service Awards

8:03pm

Introduction of Distinguished Alumnus/a Awards

8:15pm

Closing Remarks

8:20

Awards celebration concludes

Rhonda Glover Reese, Ed ’02 Robert Barbera, Engr ’74, ’78 Susan deMuth Allyson Hughes Handley, Ed ’75, ’78

For full descriptions of our award recipients’ accomplishments, visit https://alumni.jhu.edu/awards.

Community Champion Award Recognizes outstanding contributions that address critical social, economic and environmental needs throughout our society and communities, including local communities. Both individuals and groups are eligible. The nominee(s) may be either Johns Hopkins alumni (individual or group) who have impacted any community OR non-alumni (individual or group) who have impacted a Johns Hopkins Institution.

Amal E. Awad, Ed ’11, ’12 Amal Awad is the first African American, female, LGBTQ police chief in the 134-year history of the Hyattsville, Maryland Police Department. Her accomplishments include creating a check-in program for senior citizens, increasing diversity in the force, strengthening relations with the Hyattsville immigrant community, and establishing a police equipment decontamination station to thwart COVID-19 .

Renee Blanding, Med Residency ’92 Dr. Renee Blanding is the Vice President of medical affairs for Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, and launched the Readership to Leadership literacy program in 2013 where she brings her “lifelong love” of reading to East Baltimore elementary schools. She works with teachers and community liaisons to offer programs such as “reading bees”, which provide students with books to read during the winter and spring breaks.

“It is important to understand that we cannot do everything, but we must do everything we can to make a positive impact in the lives of others.”

Lorrel Toft, Med ’07 Dr. Lorrell Toft is the Director of the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at the University of Louisville. Partnering with the Start the Heart Foundation™, she designed a 5-minute CPR training method, “Alive in 5”, which has taught thousands of people CPR and increased awareness to learn for over 3 million. She also developed “Heart Class” to expand CPR training to high schools and resource poor schools.

“We are here to add what we can to life, not to get what we can from life.”

— SIR WILLIAM OSLER

Lucia Diaz, Nurs ’06, ’09 Lucia Diaz embraced her role in 2009 as the only female urology Nurse Practitioner at Harbor UCLA Medical Center, and brought a holistic view of healthcare that improved patient care at one of the most diversely underserved areas in the nation. Lucia has empowered many patients to take control of their health, and developed culturally sensitive patient education material in both English and Spanish that help improve outcomes and adherence.

“Start by doing what is necessary then do what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”

—SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI

Phyllis Sharps, Nurs Faculty Dr. Phyllis Sharps leads the Center for Community Innovations and Scholarship, linking the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing with community organizations throughout Baltimore. The Center provides significant and sustained health promotion activities across the lifespan to Baltimore residents, and has engaged both the Johns Hopkins Schools of Public Health and Medicine in inter-professional initiatives in the community.

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

— A F R I C A N P ROV E R B

Outstanding Recent Graduate Award Honors alumni who have received their Hopkins degree in the last 10 years and demonstrated outstanding achievement or service in their professional or volunteer life.

Molly Dillon, A&S ’11 Molly Dillon served in the White House from age 23 to age 27, then as a Policy Advisor for Urban Affairs, Justice, and Opportunity in the Domestic Policy Council. In 2019, Molly compiled and published, Yes She Can: 10 Stories of Hope & Change from Young Female Staffers of the Obama White House, which has become a New York Times Bestseller and has been optioned as a television series.

Natalie Draisin, A&S ’10, BSPH ’15, Bus ’15 Natalie Draisin’s commitment to road safety emerged from the tragedy of her friend being killed by a drunk driver while walking to school. She has since advocated for breathalyzers in cars, formed a coalition of organizations to reformat streets around campus, and serves as the Director of the North American Office and the United Nations Representative for the FIA Foundation, to achieve safe and sustainable mobility worldwide.

“The size of your dreams must always exceed your current capacity to achieve them. If your dreams do not scare you, they are not big enough.”

— ELLEN JOHNSON SIRLEAF

Jack Hirsch, Bus ’12 Jack Hirsch balances a career in tech with his engagement and support of the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School. He founded a start-up, Butter.ai, which has since been acquired by Box to give them more machine learning and artificial intelligence know-how. He currently serves as the Director of Project Management at Box.

Damini Agarwal, Engr ’17 Damini Agarwal has emerged as a leader at Infinite Biomedical Technologies, a spinoff of Prof. Nitish Thakor’s Neuroengineering lab at Johns Hopkins University. She is now the Director of Product Development at IBT , where she leads a team of engineers to help launch the Sense pattern recognition controller, a machine learning-based control strategy for upper limb prosthetic hands, wrists, and elbows.

“You will always be more capable than what the world will let you believe.”

— M Y PA R E N TS , T E AC H E R S A N D OT H E R S

Carl Streed, Med ’13 Dr. Carl Streed has advocated for the health and well-being of the LGBTQ community for over a decade, and has been published in multiple top-tier research journals. His efforts are recognized locally by Johns Hopkins, nationally by the American Medical Association and the Obama Administration, and globally by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health.

“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”

— JAMES BALDWIN

Lou Bartolo, Nurs ’18 Lou Bartolo is a registered nurse at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital as the Quality Assurance Coordinator for Bone Marrow Transplant. He founded Asclepius Mardi Gras Beats Pediatric Cancer which provides pediatric oncology patients and families a once-in-a-lifetime Mardi Gras experience. He also serves on the American Association for Men in Nursing, the Oncology Nursing Society, and the American Organization of Nurse Executives.

“I attribute my success to this: I never gave nor took any excuse.”

— FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE

Jake Runestad, Peab ’11, ’12 Jake Runestad’s rise to fame within the music world has been nothing short of meteoric. Now nominated for his third Grammy before the age of 30, he has shown that a foundation for classical music is applicable in so many different genres, and he continually receives commissions to compose music for the most-acclaimed choruses and leading ensembles in the world.

Astrid Haas, SAIS-Europe ’09, SAIS ’10 Astrid Haas is the Senior Country Economist working with the International Growth Centre in Uganda, and is pursuing her PhD in Switzerland.

She was an analyst on a large-scale agriculture project in South Sudan, an Overseas Development Institute Fellow in the Ministry of East African Community in Kenya, and was nominated by the University of Cape Town as one of Africa’s Young Leaders.

“When we read we are able to travel to many places, meet many people and understand the world.”

— NELSON MANDELA

Heritage Award Intended to honor alumni or friends of Johns Hopkins who have contributed outstanding service over an extended period to the progress of the University or the activities of the Association.

Robert Gilman, BSPH Faculty Dr. Robert Gilman has been a faculty member at the schools of medicine and public health for 45 years. His longtime work in Peru and in infectious diseases in developing countries have strengthened the brand of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and left an indelible mark on the US and South America.

“I have found throughout my career that good medical research stems from a commitment to always remain curious, independent in thought, and yet connected to others. Johns Hopkins has allowed me to foster each of these and I could not have wished for a more rewarding career, with Tropical Medicine that has had a global impact and friendships that have lasted a lifetime!”

Stephen Moore, BSPH ’93, University Trustee Dr. Stephen Moore is President and CEO of CarDon and Associates, which develops and manages communities for seniors in Indiana. A member of the university Board of Trustees, he and his wife, Julia Moore, are the founding donors of The Moore Center for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse, an academic research center within the Bloomberg School of Public Health.

“Fortune favors the prepared mind.”

— LO U I S PA S T E U R

Anita Holloway, Bus ’99, ’02 As both a business leader at Humana and a physician, Dr. Anita Holloway supports the “business of health”, a theme that runs across the Carey Business School. She has served on the Dean’s Alumni Advisory Board, helping Carey broaden its reach with alumni, advocating for the school, and working with students on the Friends of Puerto Rico program.

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”

— HARRIET TUBMAN

Ronald Gue, Engr ’60, ’64 Former President and founder of Phoenix Health Systems, Dr. Ronald Gue has been a longtime supporter of Johns Hopkins University. He has served on many reunion committees, as the inaugural chair of the Whiting School’s Rising to Challenge Campaign Committee, as an active member of the Whiting School Advisory Board, and supporter of the Dean’s Leadership fund.

“Johns Hopkins has been a principal determinant in my entire professional life.

I was awarded a tuition scholarship as an undergraduate and a tuition fellowship in graduate school. During graduate school, I served as a research assistant for an internationally known healthcare analytics research group at Hopkins Medicine. I have worked in healthcare technology ever since as a college professor, entrepreneur and businessman.”

Juergen Glueckert, SAIS-Europe ’62 Juergen Glueckert was the president of the SAIS Alumni German Chapter for 30 years and remains a member of its board. He has supported SAIS in many ways – by promoting the establishment of the German Alumni Fellowship, teaching at SAIS Europe, and embracing the establishment of the Steven Muller Chair in German Studies.

Karen Combs, Nurs ’70 Karen Combs retired from the healthcare software company Epic as Vice President of Sales. She has been a steadfast supporter of the School of Nursing – particularly its projects focused on community health and global health – and recently established an Innovation Fund at the School designed to attract and retain talented faculty and students who bring innovative ideas to advance the School and the profession. “ Work hard, study hard, play hard.”

— M Y F AT H E R

Allyson Hughes Handley, Ed ’75, ‘78 Allyson Hughes Handley has concluded her term as President of the Alumni Association and as a member of the University Board of Trustees. She implemented the results of the Alumni Engagement Review and the Gallup Survey to help build the University-wide alumni engagement strategic plan for the Alumni Association. She is an unwavering champion of Johns Hopkins, and has set a splendid example for all graduates of the School of Education and the entire University.

“There’s power in allowing yourself to be known and heard, in owning your unique story, in using your authentic voice.”

— MICHELLE OBAMA

Global Achievement Award Honors alumni who exemplify the Johns Hopkins tradition of excellence and have brought credit to the University and their profession in the international arena through their professional achievements or humanitarian service.

Lola Adeyemi, BSPH ’08 Dr. Lola Adeyemi is the Chief Operations Officer and co-founder of Magna Carta Health in Nigeria, which serves 15,000 patients. She has started her own preventive health company, launched a healthcare technology app, and began a social impact company that empowers young women to pursue their dreams and reach the highest heights, “If anyone were to ask me what I want out of life I would say – the opportunity for doing something useful, for in no other way, I am convinced, can true happiness be attained.”

— E L E A N O R R O O S E V E LT

Indu Bhushan, BSPH ’93, ’96 Dr. Indu Bhushan is the Chief Executive Officer of India’s Ayushman Bharat also called “Modicare.” This massive, government-funded program will bring health insurance to more than 500 million people, and provide access to secondary and tertiary care across 150,000 health centers.

“I owe a great deal to my training at Johns Hopkins as a public health professional. The skills I acquired at Hopkins have contributed significantly to my career goals and the contributions I have made for supporting health programmes across the world.”

Americo Nobre Amorim, Ed ’18 Americo Nobre Amorim started out as a DJ in his native Brazil, where he combined his love of teaching children to play music with a personal desire to reduce illiteracy in his country. He has developed educational games and more than 20 innovative projects being used by millions of students in public and private schools.

“Every student can learn and achieve. We shall create and provide the best tools so that they can thrive.”

Pandora Hardtman, Nurs ’96 Pandora Hardtman has worked for 23 years as a nurse and midwife in a variety of women’s healthcare settings around the world. A Midwifery Capacity Building Consultant for European and US agencies, she was selected to serve as the only American Midwifery Mentor for the J & J sponsored International Confederation of Midwives in Rwanda, 20162018, and continues to mentor midwives globally.

“They tried to bury us, they did not know we were seeds.”

– DINOS CHRISTIANOPOULOS

“Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.”

— J . W. V. G O E T H E

Kenneth Jarrett, SAIS-Asia ’89 Ken Jarrett is senior advisor at the business strategy firm, Albright Stonebride Group, in Shanghai. His 26-year Foreign Service career has included Consul General in Shanghai, Deputy Consul General in Hong Kong, other posts in Asia, as well as serving as Director of Asian Affairs at the White House National Security Council.

“You can never cross the ocean until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.”

— C H I N E S E P ROV E R B

Distinguished Government Service Award Intended to honor alumni of Johns Hopkins who have brought credit to the University by their current or recently concluded distinguished service to the public as elected or appointed officials.

Alfred Abramson III, A&S ’01 Brigadier General Alfred Abramson recently retired from the US Army after 30 years of service. His last assignment culminated with him serving as the Joint Program Executive Officer for Armaments & Ammunition and the Commanding General of Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey. He led a 6,000 personnel organization whose mission is the research, development, engineering, and procurement of armaments and ammunition in support of the military. He is a role model, especially for under-represented minorities in the STEM fields.

“On the journey of life, which is filled with many pitfalls, you may run into your destiny…the trick is to recognize it.”

Alefiyah Mesiwala, BSPH ’10 Dr. Alefiyah Mesiwala is the Senior Medical Director for Value-based Care and Innovation at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Health Plan, part of the second largest provider-owned integrated delivery and financing system in the country. During the Obama Administration, she served as Senior Policy Advisor on the White House National Economic Council and led on the President’s healthcare team, advising and coordinating the Administration’s activities on healthcare transformation and payment reform under the Affordable Care Act. “Be a lion in the face of adversity.”

— K U T U B M E S I WA L A ( M Y D A D ! )

William Ferguson, Ed ’07 Bill Ferguson became the youngest member of the Maryland Senate at the age of 27, and today is its President, after eight years representing Baltimore’s 46th District. He has worked to support secondary school expansion, urban educational reform, community outreach, anti-corruption measures, economic stability, and environmental preservation, and has served on the state’s most

important education policy body, the Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education (also known the Kirwan Commission).

Pauline Karikari-Martin, Nurs ’99, BSPH ’99 Captain Pauline Karikari-Martin is an active duty Nurse Officer serving with the U.S. Public Health Service. She received many awards for service including the Presidential Unit Citation for her support during the international Ebola response and the Outstanding Unit Award in 2010, for her response to the citizens of Haiti following 7.0 magnitude earthquake.

Dr. Pauline Karikari-Martin is stationed at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services where she directs complex research evaluation of health policy and payment demonstration projects to inform reports to Congress. “ All things are difficult before they are easy.”

— THOMAS FULLER

Arturo Sarukhan, SAIS ’91 Ambassador Arturo Sarukhan is an international strategic consultant, and the former Mexican Ambassador to the U.S. (2007-13). A Distinguished Visiting Scholar at University of Southern California’s Annenberg Public Diplomacy School, and Adjunct Professor at George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs, he is a digital diplomacy pioneer, and received the rank of Career Ambassador in 2006.

“Everyone except babies hates change, and foreign ministries and diplomats in particular are even more reluctant to adjust. But in the 21st Century, diplomacy needs to pivot between Statecraft and streetcraft. It certainly won’t be easy, but a risk-free diplomacy is also a results-free diplomacy.”

“The reason for having diplomatic relations is not to confer a compliment, but to secure a convenience.”

— W. C H U R C H I L L

Distinguished Alumnus/a Award Intended to honor alumni, who have typified the Johns Hopkins tradition of excellence and brought credit to the University by their personal accomplishments, professional achievement, or humanitarian service.

Tara Allmen, A&S ’86 Dr. Tara Allmen is a board-certified gynecologist, author of Menopause Confidential and one of America’s leading experts in midlife women’s health. A member of the class of 1986, Dr. Allmen has been a loyal supporter of Johns Hopkins University and a lead donor on her 30th reunion committee.

“Far and away, the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.”

— T E D D Y R O O S E V E LT

Robert Carr, BSPH ’85 Dr. Robert Carr began his career as a flight surgeon in the United States Air Force Aerospace Medicine. Today he is chief medical officer of Kumanu, a precision well-being technology company, and the immediate past president of the American College of Preventive Medicine.

“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”

— DR. VIKTOR FRANKL

Duane Gubler, BSPH ’69 Dr. Duane Gubler is Emeritus Professor and the founding Director of the Program on Emerging Infectious Diseases at the Duke-affiliated Graduate Medical School at the National University of Singapore. He spent his entire research career investigating mosquito-transmitted diseases, especially dengue/dengue hemorrhagic fever.

“The Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health has provided global leadership in public health for over 100 years. I am truly honored to be a part of that legacy.”

Myint Htwe, BSPH ’92 Dr. Myint Htwe is the Union Minister of Health and Sports in the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. He works to enable all Myanmar’s citizens to enjoy longevity of life by overseeing health education, disease prevention activities, and the provision of treatment of prevailing diseases.

Min-Ho Huang, BSPH ’96 Dr. Min-Ho Huang established and is president of the Show Chwan Health Care System in Taiwan, which includes eight hospitals, and is modeled after the Mayo Clinic. He served three terms as a congressman in Taiwan, initiating national health insurance, social welfare, and environmental protection policies.

“Learning from the best in the West, Johns Hopkins, to achieve better health in the East...”

John Meduri, Bus ’94, ’00 John Meduri is a leader in biotech and life sciences, and has devoted his life to helping the world develop better diagnostic solutions for patients.

He recently became Executive VP , Head of Business Development, Global Marketing & Strategy at Accelerate Diagnostics, Inc. “I am the path that my own feet tread.”

— L. SPEYER

Michael Becker, Engr ’69 Dr. Michael Becker is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin. During his prolific career, he focused on optics, optical information processing, laserinduced damage to optical devices and materials, and ultraprecise laser beam shaping.

“When you keep your eyes open and are aware of what is around you both locally and globally, you will find things and opportunities that will look to others like you are just having good luck. So, keep your eyes open and be lucky.”

L. Michael Brunt, Med ’80 Dr. Michael Brunt is professor of surgery at Washington University in St. Louis, and is a recognized leader and clinical expert in laparoscopic, endocrine, and hernia surgery. He is also Team Surgeon for the St. Louis Blues, and has a nationwide referral practice for collegiate and professional athletes with sports hernias.

“Don’t be so quick to claim your limitations when you have never really tested them.”

Jon Lorsch, Med Faculty ’13 As passionate about education as he is about research, Dr. Jon Lorsch has worked to reform the curricula for graduate and medical education.

He became the Director of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences in August 2013, which supports basic research that increases understanding of biological processes, and lays the foundation for advances in disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

“As a leader, you can be certain you are not doing your job right if there isn’t at least one person furious with you at all times.”

— ED MILLER, FORMER DEAN AND CEO OF JOHNS HOPKINS MEDICINE

Mary G. Lynch, A&S ’76, Med ’80 Dr. Mary Lynch is Professor of Ophthalmology at Emory University School of Medicine. Her research has focused on innovative ways of dealing with difficult problems in glaucoma; she wrote the first papers on certain side effects from beta-blocker eye drops, surgical treatment of malignant glaucoma, and the 360-degree suture trabeculotomy for the treatment of congenital glaucoma.

“We are all pencils in the hand of God.” — MOTHER TERESA Jonathan Simons, Med ’85 An internationally recognized physician-scientist, Dr. Jonathan Simons is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Prostate Cancer Foundation. His laboratories at Johns Hopkins University and Emory University have made original contributions to human prostate cancer research.

Reginald Bannerman, Nurs ’97, ’03 Reginald Bannerman is the Director of Nursing for the Child Psychiatry Unit at Children’s National Health System. His work with adults, teenagers, and children with eating disorders and other psychiatric ailments helps patients address challenges early in life to prevent a lifetime of struggles.

“To whom much is given much is required; the future generation is looking up to our leadership now more than ever during a time of great need, peril and service for our country. As a nurse leader and a clinician, service is not when it is convenient, but rather it involves the effort and the energy that one exerts to fulfill a mission of serving your country in times of need and helping someone else along the way for the common good of humanity.”

Nelita True, Peab ’76 Nelita True is a legend among piano pedagogues, having had a distinguished career as a performer and teacher. She is globally recognized and held in the highest regard among musicians in the classical music field, which still struggles to recognize females at the same rate as males.

Dr. True passed away on January 20, 2021.

Isabel Studer Noguez, SAIS ’92, ’99 Dr. Isabel Studer Noguez is President of the Board of the Mexican Climate Initiative. A Fulbright and Ford Scholar, she has been recognized in 2018 and 2019 by Forbes as one of the “100 Most Powerful Women in Mexico,” and 2013 through 2015, by Petróleo y Energía as one of the “100 Energy Leaders in Mexico.”

“My education at JHU-SAIS allowed me to understand the world’s challenges from a strategic perspective, with academic rigor and through the lenses of policy practitioners. This unique approach opened the door to an unexpected and an exciting career pathway!”

Acknowledgements The Johns Hopkins Alumni Association would like to thank the 2019-2020 members of the Johns Hopkins Alumni Council’s Awards and Nominations Committee.

This committee determined the slate of 2020 award recipients for presentation to the Alumni Council’s Executive Committee.

Co-Chairs Brian Fruchey, Bus ’10 Ralph Hruban, Med ’85 Committee Members Anne Cronin, SAIS ’14 Cheree Davis, Ed ’15 William Greenberg, A&S ’64 Allyson Handley, Ed ’75, ’78 Daniela Kaisth, SAIS-Europe ’89, A&S ’90 Shelby Kemper, BSPH ’16 Seth McDonnell, Bus ’07 Shelby Wilkes, Med ’75

Johns Hopkins University Office of Alumni Relations San Martin Center, 2nd Floor 3400 N. Charles Street Baltimore, Maryland 21218 alumni.jhu.edu, 800-548-5481