Our 2024 annual Scholarship Luncheon brought together our donors who fund scholarships with the students they support to remind us all of what we can achieve together.

Thanks to everyone who joined us for our 2024 Annual Scholarship Luncheon hosted by the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health and co-sponsored by Desert Diamond Casino and JoAnna Westcott with Bill Westcott, Inc. We celebrated our supporters and our amazing scholarship students! We were delighted to see so many of you and connect in person. This annual gathering brings together our donors who fund scholarships with the students they support to remind us all of what we can achieve together.

Following introductions and remembrances from Dean Iman Hakim, we heard inspirational stories from current scholarship students, including stories from current scholarship students, including BS student Brooke McKalip, PhD student Sheryl Nelson, and MPH student Lady Dorothy Elli, about their educational journeys and how scholarship funds helped them toward their goals.

We are deeply grateful for our donors, thanks so much for your dedication to public health!

Co-sponsors members of the Desert Diamond Casino: Adrian Cronin, Dorrance Steele, Treena Parvello, Danielle Bautista, Katie Moore, with Dean Hakim and current PhD student William Carson

Dean Hakim, co-sponsors JoAnna and Bill Westcott of Bill Westcott, Inc., their guests, and current student Mohammed Najeeb Naabo.

Dean Iman Hakim with Jennifer and Leigh Degrave, Teri and John Barry, Brie Seward, Alberto and Jacqueline Siqueiros, current MPH students Lady Dorothy Elli and Carina Morris, and Director of Business Relations, Kurt Peterson

Dean Hakim with Dev Sethi, Ken and Linda Robin, Reese Aussy, current DrPH student Telma Reis,  current PhD student Boqi Xiang, and Senior Vice President of Development Vicki Fleischer

Dean Hakin with Drs. Sue and Bob Vaughan, current PhD student Jingyue Wu, current BS student Mikhaelah Kounouho, along with university staff Bryan Rowland, Dr. John Ehiri, Dr. Velia Leybas Nuño, and Shipherd Reed

Current PhD student Sheryl Nelson sharing her story and the impact of scholarships

Scholarship Luncheon Speakers 2024

Student: Lady Dorothy Elli BS ’23

MPH, Global Health
Kent and Liz Campbell International Internship Endowment

Lady is an MPH student in Global Health at the University of Arizona. She has organized impactful events, including the Global Health Alliance Decolonization Panel and the International Student Resource Fair, enhancing support for global health students. Her research addresses tuberculosis stigma among healthcare workers in Indonesia and influenza-like illness surveillance in the Philippines, funded by grants from MEZCOPH and others. Additionally, she mentors students at Harvard Law School's TRIALS program and aims to improve health policies in Southeast Asia in the future.

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Student: Brooke McKalip

BS Public Health, Environmental & Occupational Health
Nichols Initiative Scholars Award
Zuckerman Family Foundation Scholarship Endowment

Brooke is dedicated to gaining practical skills and experience to pursue a dual-degree Master's program in Physician Assistant studies and Public Health. She aims to provide essential healthcare services to underserved populations, particularly the homeless, while researching environmental factors affecting at-risk communities to advocate for their needs effectively.

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Student: Sheryl Nelson

PhD, Health Behavior Health Promotion
College of Public Health Community Advisory Board Scholarship

Sheryl aims to pursue a PhD in Health Behaviors and Health Promotion to become a tenured professor focused on the health and well-being of Indigenous communities, particularly in Arizona and the Navajo Nation. She aspires to lead initiatives that promote Indigenous health equity, mentor Native youth, and foster culturally informed public health practices.

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