“This group of students have persevered under unprecedented circumstances. Their worlds were flipped upside down and they have hung in there, learning in new ways since March of 2020. Many of these graduates were working while they attended school and continue to do so on the front lines of the COVID-19 response or behind the scenes assuring that every other aspect of the public health system continues to function. Whether in socially distant classrooms or remotely through Microsoft Teams, our students have learned in real time what it means to confront the failings of our systems,” said USF College of Public Health’s (COPH) Dean Donna Petersen. “We have a lot of choices to make in the coming years about healthcare, the value of work, our place in the global economy, climate change, systemic racism and how to prepare for a future pandemic, but I’m not worried. You all are smart, capable, committed and passionate.”

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s graduation ceremony was presented virtually to family, friends, students, faculty and staff. Petersen delivered her address and congratulated the Fall 2021 graduating class in front of a camera instead of an audience. (Click here to watch the undergraduate ceremony and the graduate ceremony). 

This semester, 345 undergraduates, 64 students seeking their master’s degree and 7 doctoral students graduated and entered the public health profession. 

Every year, the COPH Excellence in Teaching awardee offers words of inspiration to the graduating class. This year’s speaker was Dr. Joe Bohn, assistant professor and director of community engagement and deputy director of the DrPH program.

“I have one final lesson for you all,” Bohn said. “Some of you know I have spent a little time on the dance floor these past four years, so I offer you four pillars of practice from my West Coast Swing training that we can apply in your public health journey: timing, distance, connection and purpose.”

Timing

“Know when to start the dance if you are the leader and be ready to respond to a public health crisis when it happens,” Bohn said.

Distance

“Manage the distance with others on the dance floor. In your community, understand how distance impacts people and their access to the resources they need,” he cautioned.

Connection

“Pay attention to the connection with your partner in dance and find ways to connect better to your community, virtually and in-person,” Bohn continued.

Purpose

“Practice with intent—and in your community, practice your passion to help others in need,” he urged.

Dr. Claudia Cooperman, assistant dean of undergraduate studies and director of the health sciences program, presented her end-of-the-year address to the graduating class.

“Congratulations Class of 2021, you did it! The resilience and perseverance in completing your degrees have been remarkable,” Cooperman said. “These have certainly been challenging times and these qualities will be valuable to you as you continue on in your lives and careers.”

“This past year has been hectic and unusual to say the least; with so much going on it would be easy to minimize today,” she added. “Don’t let that happen. This is a huge accomplishment. Take time to celebrate your work, your success and your accomplishments.”

Dr. Alison Oberne, director of the BSPH program, also addressed the class congratulating them on their achievements.

“Did you know that only one-third of the U.S. population has a four-year degree? It is no small feat to earn your degree, and amidst a pandemic it’s even more challenging and inspiring. It is a time where you were tested in more ways than one,” Oberne said. “You learned the value of self-determination through remote learning, the power of data literacy as we’ve been bombarded with information about COVID-19 and the election, and the creativity to find opportunities for community engagement at a time where in-person gatherings have been restricted.”

“I hope these challenges have made you stronger and helped you realize your passion and perseverance despite all the obstacles you have faced and that you continue to overcome” she said.

Here are some of the stories from the Class of 2021:

Renee Edwards, MPH

Originally from Zimbabwe, Renee Edwards moved to the U.S. to pursue nutrition and dietetics at St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minn., before attending the USF COPH for the  integrated dietetic internship and MPH program as the first one of the first hearing impaired graduates to complete the program.

“I grew up going to school with my mother interpreting for me, as there was no interpreting service in Zimbabwe,” Edwards said. “She was unable to interpret for me at the college level, so I moved to the United States where there are excellent resources for the deaf.”

Throughout her time at the COPH, Edwards said that she’s most proud of gaining the knowledge to become a dietitian with a strong background in public health.

“I am more knowledgeable in nutrition-related community needs assessment and on how to evaluate nutrition programs to make sure they are beneficial for future programs,” she said.

Her favorite moment in the program was working with patients.

“When I was with the patients, their faces lit up as soon as they had gained an understanding of something nutrition-related that they could not figure out before meeting me,” she said. “Nothing is more wonderful than being able to help your own patients understand important information that will benefit them.”

After graduation, Edwards plans to take the registered dietitian exam and apply for jobs in the community, including the deaf community. She eventually hopes to own a private nutrition business to serve clients.

“As a whole the profession of nutrition and dietetics has fewer than 1% of professionals that are blind, deaf or have severe vision or hearing impairment,” said Dr. Theresa Crocker, associate professor and director of the nutrition and dietetics program. “Renee is the only intern I am aware of that has overcome more than the usual challenges to complete this 20-month program. She will be a wonderful asset to our professional community and a fantastic resource for the deaf community in Tampa Bay.”

Saloni Mehra, MPH

Saloni Mehra has always had a special connection to the USF COPH, even before deciding to pursue her MPH in maternal and child health at the college.

“My mom, now Dr. Shabnam Mehra, joined the USF COPH when she immigrated here almost 26 years ago from India. She used to go to class while pregnant, and her mentor and professor Dr. Thomas Mason would always jokingly ask if there was someone trained in the room to deliver a baby!” she said. “I grew up walking around the COPH and I immediately recognized the inside when I walked in for the first time for my own degree in 2020.”

Mehra’s mother inspired her passion and love for public health.

“Due to the responsibilities of being a new mom and wanting to be present for my brother and I, coupled with the stresses and struggles faced by most minority immigrants in the U.S., my mom shifted her PhD to an MPH and began working,” she said. “She always knew she wanted a PhD and she had the courage and the willingness to go back to school in her 40s. She graduated in 2017 from COPH with a PhD in epidemiology and we could not have been prouder of and inspired by her!”

As a student, Mehra is most proud of becoming a Delta Omega national finalist at the American Public Health Association’s annual conference this past year.

“I have loved every bit of my time here! I could not have gotten where I was without the amazing support of the faculty at the COPH and their willingness to teach me and involve me in projects where I was/am able to gain professional experience and make an impact in our community,” she said. “I have also met the most amazing colleagues and classmates, and even during my short time here, have made lasting bonds and connections that I will cherish forever. Who knows, we may even cross paths as health professionals in the future!”

Post-graduation, Mehra will be starting medical school at Nova Southeastern University.

“I hope to learn how to apply my public health knowledge to truly provide patient-centered care as a medical professional. My time at USF has shown me just how much health is holistic and encompassing of the social determinants of health,” she said. “I hope to apply this knowledge in practice and continue championing for marginalized populations and their right to high-quality health care.”

Daniel Sun, BSPH

When he was just 5 years old, Daniel Sun fell in love with the game of tennis. So much so, in fact, that he decided to dedicate much of his life to it. At 13, his family moved to Florida so he could pursue tennis full-time. By 18, after one semester at USF, Sun decided to put his education on hold and began focusing on tennis exclusively in pursuit of a professional career.

Unfortunately, a back injury would mean the end of his playing days but the beginning of a new journey. Sun found himself drawn back to USF, this time in pursuit of a degree in public health.

Now in his 20s and back in college, Sun found himself filled with doubt and uncertainty about his ability to keep up with his peers. He credits the support and guidance from USF professors, family and friends for helping him overcome those anxieties and flourish in his program.

“It had been several years since I was in a school environment and I was unsure if I would be able to keep up with the academic demands,” Sun said. “I credit the support I received from professors, family and friends for helping me overcome these fears and flourish as a student. All the years of training and competing as a tennis player also gave me the work ethic, discipline and perseverance to succeed at USF.”

While working toward his degree, Sun also conducted research at the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital and volunteered at Moffitt Cancer Center and the USF Learning Academy.

After graduation, he plans to continue his education in medical school with the hopes of one day becoming a physician.

“My dream is to work in academic medicine as a physician in an academic medical center,” he said. “Along with clinical practice, I hope that I will also have the opportunity to do research, mentor and teach.”

Story by Caitlin Keough, USF College of Public Health