University of Iowa Distinguished Alumni Award
CPH winners of the University of Iowa’s Distinguished Alumni Award
Each year, the University of Iowa Alumni Association presents accomplished alumni and friends with the association's highest honor—the Distinguished Alumni Award. Below are College of Public Health alumni who have been honored with this award.
2008: Maryfran sowers
As an internationally known researcher in musculoskeletal disorders, MaryFran Sowers has contributed significantly to the understanding of osteoporosis and bone health in women. Sowers earned a Ph.D. in preventive medicine in 1984, studying in an area that is now the Department of Epidemiology. Her groundbreaking studies have deepened the medical community’s understanding of the physiological changes of the aging female body, including the genetic and nutritional factors of bone loss and other diseases. A professor of epidemiology, Sowers also serves as director of the University of Michigan’s Center for Integrated Approaches to Complex Diseases.
2007: Stephen L. Ummel
Regarded as something of a miracle worker in the immensely complicated and always challenging health care industry, Stephen L. Ummel has served his profession in many ways. During the 1970s, he was instrumental in working with University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics director John Colloton to plan, fund, and systematically rebuild the university's clinical care system. Committed to containing costs, improving access to health care, and enhancing services, Ummel has provided guidance to many health organizations and is today director of PriceWaterHouseCoopers Healthcare Advisory Practice in Chicago.
2006: Ronald K. Ross
An outstanding cancer epidemiologist, Ronald Ross focused on the interaction between the environment and the genetics in the etiology of cancer. As chair of the Department of Preventive Medicine at the University of Southern California-the nation's highest-ranking preventive medicine department in terms of National Institutes of Health funding-and deputy director of the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ross was highly regarded not only as a scientist but as an administrator, leader, and role model. With more than 300 scientific papers to his name, this internationally recognized researcher made several seminal contributions to the fight against cancer. Ross lost his own battle with cancer in April 2006; he received his award in February 2006.
2003: Martin Sepulveda
Martin J. Sepulveda, 85F, is highly respected as one of the leading occupational health physicians in the country. As vice president of global occupational health services and health benefits at IBM, he has helped IBM achieve national distinction as the only corporation to twice receive a national award given to the company with the most outstanding occupational health and safety program.
2002: Thomas Dolan
Thomas Dolan, a 1977 Ph.D. graduate in Hospital and Health Administration, has received a 2002 University of Iowa Distinguished Alumni Award for Achievement. The award is given by the UI Alumni Association to UI graduates or former students for significant accomplishments in business or professional life or for distinguished human service to their community, state, or nation.
2000: James Cavanaugh
James H. Cavanaugh, 61MA, 64Ph.D., is president and a general partner of HealthCare Ventures, LLC in Princeton, New Jersey, which manages the largest venture capital fund devoted exclusively to health care. The firm funds research in leading-edge health care products, creating and managing health science companies with a strong focus on genetics, immunology, and transplant medicine.