September 17, 2021

On Friday, September 17, 2021, a long-standing tradition at the Dornsife School of Public Health took place – the Welcome Ceremony and Pinning. Attendees of this event gathered in person in the Stein Auditorium in Nesbitt Hall or tuned in live via a live stream. This year marks 25 years of the tradition that allows the Dornsife community to formally welcome all new students, staff, and faculty.

The honoree guest speaker of the event was Mario Cruz, MD, Medical Director, Philadelphia FIGHT Community Health Centers. A board-certified pediatrician, Dr. Cruz joined Philadelphia FIGHT as the Medical Director for their Pediatric and Adolescent Health Center in 2017. He addressed the attendees and inspired them to "lift others as you rise. Think about the people that have been left behind and bring them with you."

After Dr. Cruz spoke, new members of Dornsife were presented with the “Health as a Human Right” pin by faculty members. Next, the Student Government Organization Officers led new students in reciting the preamble to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Charter of the World Health Organization as a reflection of the school’s commitment to social justice, and its vision of health as a human right.

Others who shared remarks included Ana V. Diez Roux, MD, PhD, MPH, Dana and David Dornsife Dean and Distinguished University Professor of Epidemiology; Jennifer Kolker, MPH, Associate Dean for Public Health Practice and External Relations and Clinical Professor in Health Management and Policy; and Phi Nguyen, Assistant Dean of Student and Alumni Affairs.

View photos from ceremony

Be sure to share your own photos and tag #NewDragons.

New Students

Dornsife welcomed 15 new undergraduate students, 209 new master's students, and 26 new doctoral students joining the school this fall.

These students come from many parts of the United States and from 18 different countries.

In addition to the Welcome Ceremony and Pinning Ceremony, new students participated in Dornsife Orientation and Drexel's Welcome Week starting on Monday, September 13. Students had opportunities to explore services and resources, and connect with fellow students, faculty, and staff. Orientation offered in person, virtual, and hybrid events for both face-to-face and online students.

To view the full list of new students, view the Welcome Ceremony and Pinning Program.

New Faculty

	Javier Lopez-Rios, PhD, MPH	Assistant Teaching Professor, Community Health & Prevention
	Tara McAlexander, MPH, PhD	Assistant Research Professor, Epidemiology and Biostatistics
	Reneé H. Moore, PhD	Research Professor, Director of the Biostatistics Scientific Collaboration Center, and Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for the Epidemiology and Biostatistics Dept.

New Staff

	Leah Bakely, MPH	Research Lab Coordinator, Community Health & Prevention Dept.
	Rachel Benjamin-Bannett, MSW, LSW	Academic Advisor, Academic and Faculty Affairs
	Tariem Burroughs	Director of Experiential Learning and Career Services, Academic Affairs Dept.
	Storey Clayton	Grants and Research Administrator, Research Office
	Allison Gibson, MPH, MCP	Project Coordinator, Drexel Urban Health Collaborative
	Thea McLean	Associate Director, Foundation and Corporate Relations, Office of Institutional Advancement
	Jae Moses	Training Specialist, Center for Nonviolence and Social Justice
	Duong Tina Nguyen, MPH	Program Manager, Environmental and Occupational Health Dept.
	Wendy Thurman	Business Manager, Community Health & Prevention Dept.
	Alexandra Trautman-Fisher, MPH	Education Coordinator, Environmental and Occupational Health Dept.
	Jennifer Ware, MPH	Deputy Director, The Ubuntu Center on Racism, Global Movements, and Population Health Equity
	Jorge Zambrana Rentas	Data Analyst, Drexel Urban Health Collaborative