Our alumni and community partners dedicate themselves to support the health of so many communities – locally, nationally, and globally – and with these annual awards we are proud to recognize their exceptional service to public health.
Every year the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health and the University of Arizona Office of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement give awards to alumni and community advocates for outstanding service and leadership in the field of public health.
Join us to celebrate our award winners and community advocates for their outstanding service and leadership during this past year. The awards will be presented at our Zuckerman College of Public Health Homecoming Celebration: Honoring our Public Health Alumni & Community Leaders event on Thursday, October 17, 5-7pm. Our Homecoming Celebration will be part of the larger University of Arizona Homecoming festivities and events that will run from Oct. 13 to 19, 2023.
Register now for our Homecoming Celebration!
Global Achievement Award, 2024-2025
Bojosi Gamontle
PhD, MPH ’08
Dr. Bojosi Gamontle earned her Master of Public Health degree with an emphasis in Environmental and Occupational Health from the Zuckerman College of Public Health in 2008. Her Master’s degree thesis title was Descriptive analysis of the financial burden of back injury and other musculo-skeletal disorders at University Medical Center (Tucson, Arizona) utilizing workers’ compensation data.
Dr. Gamontle earned her PhD in Occupational and Environmental Hygiene from the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Canada in 2019. The title of her PhD dissertation was Perspectives of Botswana policy-makers and healthcare workers towards Tuberculosis infection control and occupational health measures. She has also conducted research to investigate bio-aerosol exposure in healthcare workers in British Columbia.
Bojosi joined the Fraser Health Authority (British Columbia, Canada) in 2020 as an exposure prevention specialist. Her portfolio included leading the implementation of the communicable disease exposure prevention and control program, as well as conducting research that informed program implementation. Currently, she serves as a lead for the Health and Safety Management System, where she develops standards and supports the consistent implementation of occupational health programs across Fraser Health Authority sites.
Prior to obtaining her PhD, Dr. Gamontle worked as a senior health officer in the environmental and occupational health department of the Ministry of Health in Botswana, where she coordinated programs such as “Making Medical Injections Safer.”
On her educational journey, she received many scholarships including the Fulbright (University of Arizona), and the Bridge Fellowship (UBC).
About the award: The Global Achievement Award recognizes alumni who have brought honor and credit to the University of Arizona and their profession in the global arena through professional achievement or humanitarian service.
Professional Achievement Award, 2024-2025
Kim Bourn
Kim Bourn leads talent recruitment, onboarding, and community relations with Bourn Companies, Tucson’s leading commercial real estate firm. With a keen eye for identifying exceptional talent, Kim ensures a smooth and engaging onboarding experience that fosters long-term success. Her work in community relations strengthens partnerships and enhances Bourn Companies impact.
As a seasoned business development and community relations professional with a passion for public health, Kim has a deep understanding of public health and the complexities of our community. As a fundraiser, she has made a remarkable impact on the Zuckerman College of Public Health and the larger Tucson community. She led the Drachman Hall Capital Campaign and the Inaugural Programming Campaign for the college, raising more than $16 million. She also made significant contributions to our Tucson community through her work on the Mayor’s Wellness Campaign, the Komen Breast Cancer community analysis, and the Zuckerman Food Initiative. Her collaborative approach brings community organizations together for stakeholder engagement and outstanding results.
Kim has received awards for her work in business, education, health, and philanthropy. As a dedicated mother of three, she still finds the time and energy to advocate for important causes. She has earned recognition for her work at both the national and local levels, including awards from Tu Nidito, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, The YWCA Women on the Move, and Tucson Medical Center. She has been honored with the University of Arizona Distinguished Citizen Award and the University of Arizona College of Education Alumna Award.
Kim earned her master’s degree from the Graduate School of Education at The University of Arizona.
About the award: The Professional Achievement Award is given to a person who has attained prominence in his or her field. Service to the university is not a requirement.
Young Professional Achievement Award, 2024-2025
Tanya Payyappilly
MD, MPH ’19
Dr. Tanya Payyappilly, a physician turned public health advocate, leads Breathe California of the Bay Area, Golden Gate, and Central Coast as CEO. The organization, founded in 1911 to combat tuberculosis, has evolved into a leading voice for lung health in the region for 113 years.
Inspired by personal struggles with typhoid and malaria, Dr. Payyappilly witnessed firsthand how environmental factors can hinder recovery. This experience ignited a passion for public health, and she completed her Master of Public Health with an emphasis in Health Services Administration from the Zuckerman College of Public Health in 2019. Her focus on public health ultimately led her to exchange her stethoscope for a leadership role at Breathe California.
Leveraging her medical expertise, Dr. Payyappilly now champions policies that improve the health of entire communities. With a deep commitment to addressing the needs of vulnerable populations, she translates her experience as a frontline caregiver into impactful, system-wide change.
Breathe California works to establish tobacco-free communities, achieve healthy air quality, and combat lung diseases such as asthma, tuberculosis and COPD in 8 counties around the San Francisco Bay.
About the award: The Young Professional Achievement Award recognizes alumni age 40 and under who have attained prominence in their field.
