Human connection fuels alumnus Nick Lembezeder’s desire to serve rural Iowans

Nick Lembezeder (24MPH) says his education in public health and medicine at the University of Iowa is preparing him well to reach his goals — while also helping to fill a physician shortage in the state. Published August 25, 2026

CPH alumna Leslie Ain McClure (97MS) to be honored by Association for Women in Mathematics

Alumna Leslie Ain McClure will receive the 2027 Mary and Alfie Gray Award for Social Justice from the Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM) at the Joint Mathematics Meetings in Chicago, in January 2027. McClure, dean of the College for Public Health and Social Justice and a professor of biostatistics at Saint Louis University, is being awarded for her commitment to justice through leadership and mentorship, as well as her ability to apply mathematical sciences to advance the cause of social justice.  Published August 24, 2026

Preventing harm before it occurs: Q&A with alumna Anne Abbott

University of Iowa College of Public Health alumna Anne Abbott (23PhD) is translating her training into impactful, community-driven work to prevent youth violence and mental health crises in Idaho. In this Q&A, she shares how her Iowa experience shaped her commitment to upstream prevention, the role of communication and evaluation in advancing public health, and her advice for the next generation of practitioners. Published June 1, 2026

College names 2026 Outstanding Alumni Award Recipients

The University of Iowa College of Public Health is pleased to announce the recipients of the college’s 2026 Outstanding Alumni Awards. Published May 20, 2026

Giving back with gratitude: HMP alumni Steve Birchard and Marsha Miller-Birchard

For alumni Steve Birchard (86MA) and Marsha Miller-Birchard (87MA/MBA), giving back to the University of Iowa Department of Health Management and Policy is a way to say thank you for the education and skills that helped launch their successful careers. Published May 18, 2026

VIDEO: Finding direction through mentorship

Navigating a career in biostatistics isn’t always straightforward, especially in a field that’s evolving rapidly. In this video, University of Iowa College of Public Health alumnus Logan Harris shares how our Student Mentorship Program helped him gain clarity, confidence, and direction at a pivotal moment in his career. Published May 5, 2026

From Iowa to Disneyland: How CPH alumna Emma Smaellie keeps the magic safe

UI College of Public Health alumna Emma Smaellie (23MS, OEH Industrial Hygiene) plays a behind‑the‑scenes role in one of the most iconic destinations in the world: the Disneyland Resort. As a safety professional supporting thousands of cast members across parks, hotels, entertainment spaces, and specialized crafts, Emma uses her industrial hygiene training to ensure the magic happens safely every day. She shares how she found her path, what her work looks like, and why creating a safer workplace is her favorite part of the job. Published March 2, 2026

MHA alumni named as ’40 under 40′ honorees

Three alumni of our MHA program have been recognized as rising young leaders with one honored on Modern Healthcare’s 2026 40 Under 40 list and two named to the Des Moines Business Record’s Forty Under 40.  Published March 2, 2026

MHA alumna Paige Moore named as Forty Under 40 honoree

Paige Moore (10MHA) was named a 2026 'Forty Under 40' honoree by the Des Moines Business Record for demonstrating impressive career achievements and unparalleled community involvement. Moore is CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Iowa. Published March 2, 2026

CPH alumna Paige Jaeger named as Forty Under 40 honoree

Paige Jaeger (14MHA) was named a 2026 'Forty Under 40' honoree by the Des Moines Business Record for demonstrating impressive career achievements and unparalleled community involvement. Jaeger is chief operating officer at ChildServe in Des Moines, IA. Published February 23, 2026