Gaylord Anderson Leadership Award
The Gaylord W. Anderson Leadership Award is the highest award given to School of Public Health alumni. It recognizes well-rounded, exceptional leaders in public health with a commitment to the advancement and future of the field.
John Kralewski was the founding director of the SPH Center for Health Services Research, which evolved into the current Division of Health Policy and Management. Kralewski’s research largely focused on differences in the cost and quality of care provided by medical group practices and he received national and international awards for his contributions in this area.
Kralewski has mentored dozens of graduate students and although retired, he continues to raise funds to support students.
Alumni Award of Merit
The Alumni Award of Merit honors exceptional service in public health.
John Amuasi’s research focuses on improving health systems, services, and outcomes, as well as policy analyses using primary and secondary data in low and middle-income countries. His research currently involves field epidemiologic studies on malaria, snakebite, and neglected tropical diseases. Amuasi coordinates research on COVID-19 in Africa and is the principal investigator for a number of COVID-19 studies in Ghana. He serves as a technical advisor to several organizations, including the WHO, Africa CDC, and the World Bank. He co-chairs The Lancet One Health Commission.
Alumni Innovator Award
The Alumni Innovator Award recognizes a graduate who has made, developed, or implemented innovative ideas, approaches, or solutions to public health problems.
Dr. Sarah J. Atunah-Jay’s work centers on mechanisms and outcomes of peer victimization, the impact of bias on child health, and cultural pride reinforcement as strategies to promote child wellbeing. A recent study helped providers better understand and support pediatric patient needs related to experiences of race and weight-related prejudice and discrimination. She also mentors medical students in critical review and enhancement of medical school curricula related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism. Atunah-Jay recently led Improving Literacy for School Success in Tribal Clinics, a study with the aim of meeting clinic and community child literacy and wellbeing priorities.
Emerging Leader Award
The Emerging Leader Award is presented to an alum who has made a significant impact in their profession or community at large within 10 years of graduating from the School of Public Health.
Rachel R. Hardeman, founding director of the SPH Center for Antiracism Research for Health Equity (CARHE), studies a critical and complex determinant of health inequity — racism. Her work contributes to a body of knowledge that links structural racism to health in tangible ways, identifies opportunities for intervention, and dismantles the systems, structures, and institutions that allow inequities to persist. Read more about Hardeman.
Outstanding Mentor Award
The SPH Alumni Board awarded two Outstanding Mentor Awards in 2022, recognizing individuals who made exceptional contributions to the career and professional development of multiple students through the SPH Mentor Program.
Linda Brandt promotes healthy workplaces at Hennepin County Public Health through Health@Work, providing low- and no-cost employee health promotion to HR professionals. Brandt also founded and manages a thriving network of Lean In circles inspired by Sheryl Sandberg’s book Lean In. The Lean In Together Minneapolis/St. Paul network has grown to more than 7,000 people across six continents through a LinkedIn group of 6,300 members.
Victor Galfano has a history of healthcare operations and leadership. His experience includes hospitals in the Cleveland Clinic Health System, Chicago’s Adventist Health System, and Wisconsin’s Hospital Sisters Health System. In 2020, Galfano worked as an executive career coach with a Chicago-based firm. He provided guidance and support to senior level people who were displaced due to COVID-19, helping more than 270 executives secure the next role in their careers. Galfano has participated in the SPH mentorship program since 2018.
John Kralewski, MHA ’62, PhD ’69
Professor Emeritus, U of M School of Public Health
John Amuasi, MPH ’07, MS ’14, PhD ’14
Head, Global Health Department, School of Public Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
Dr. Sarah J. Atunah-Jay, MPH ’13
Assistant Professor, Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
Rachel Hardeman, MPH ’11, PhD ’14
Blue Cross Endowed Professor of Health and Racial Equity, U of M School of Public Health
Linda Brandt, MPH ’03
Senior Health Promotion Specialist, Hennepin County Public Health Promotion
Victor Galfano, MHA ’86
Administrator, Comprehensive Integrated Care
