Congratulations to Kelly on receiving her Nurse Practitioner degree from the University of North Dakota. Kelly continues to focus on caring for American Indian families coping with suicide.
Congratulations to Dr. Wanda Thruston who has received the 2025 Indiana Nurses of Influence Award by the Indiana Nurses Foundation (INF). This award recognizes Indiana nurses who have shown exceptional leadership and care, specifically in three categories: Emerging Leader, Nursing Educator, and Top Nurse of Influence. The recognition highlights Dr. Thruston's dedication and innovative approaches in the nursing field, particularly through her extensive experience in maternal and child health and her focus on implementing evidence-based practices and addressing trauma in school settings. Dr. Thruston's career spans four decades and includes various roles like clinician, administrator, educator, and advocate.
Dr. Megan Carlson, director of Health Services for Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS), has been named School Nurse Administrator of the Year by the Indiana Association of School Nurses.
This prestigious honor recognizes exceptional leadership, innovation, and commitment to advancing student health and school nursing practices across the state.
Dr. Carlson has served IPS since 2020, leading a team of more than 28 school nurses and health professionals serving thousands of students across the district. With a background in both nursing and public health, she has been instrumental in strengthening IPS’ approach to student wellness, emergency preparedness, chronic disease management, and mental health support.
“This recognition is incredibly humbling,” said Dr. Carlson. “I’m so proud to work alongside an incredible team of school nurses who are deeply committed to the health and success of our students. Together, we’re creating healthier school environments that empower students to learn, grow, and thrive.”
Dr. Carlson holds a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) and a Master’s in Nursing (MSN) in Pediatrics and brings over a decade of experience in clinical care and school health leadership. Under her guidance, IPS has expanded access to health services, enhanced pandemic response protocols, and built stronger partnerships with local healthcare providers.
The incoming President-Elect of the Society for Pediatric Research (SPR) is Joyce R. Javier, MD, MPH, MS, FAAP. She will serve as President-Elect from June 1, 2025, to May 31, 2026, and then take office as President from June 1, 2026, to May 31, 2027. Joyce Javier is a pediatrician and physician-scientist with extensive experience in research and advocacy within the pediatric research community.
Jian “Lily” Chen, a doctoral student at the UNC School of Nursing, has been selected as a 2025 recipient of the Robert E. Bryan Public Service Award. Presented by the Carolina Center for Public Service, the award recognizes extraordinary public service by students, faculty, staff and University organizations.
Chen was honored for her leadership of UCA WAVES and her ongoing advocacy for youth mental health. As executive director of the UCA WAVES Youth Mental Health Collaborative, she has led education, advocacy and intervention initiatives aimed at improving access to mental health care for Asian American youth and families.
“Our story matters because immigrant stories are also American stories. Carolina, you don’t just invest in one—you inspire two generations and an entire community.” — Jian “Lily” Chen
Chen has played a key role in responding to mental health challenges on campus and beyond, organizing healing spaces and speaking at national events, including a White House mental health convening. In her nomination, Chen was praised for not just responding to problems, but for building solutions, mobilizing communities, and creating lasting change through compassionate, community-driven leadership.
(L–R) UNC Chancellor Lee Roberts, Lily Chen, and Dean Valerie Howard.
Reflecting on the honor, Chen shared her appreciation for the support she received during her doctoral journey:
“I am just full of gratitude for Carolina Nursing for equipping me with skills to tell my stories more effectively, qualitatively and quantitatively, and it truly takes a village to tackle such a complex health problem of suicide prevention,” she said. “Special thanks to my PhD dissertation chair, Dr. Giscombe, as well as my committee members, faculty, and staff. I’m also grateful to Dean Howard for attending. Being recognized at the end of a PhD journey is truly the icing on the cake.”
The 2025 Public Service Awards ceremony was held April 16 at the Carolina Club in the George Watts Hill Alumni Center. Award recipients received a cash prize and framed certificate.
Watch the 2025 Public Service Awards ceremony.
CSAN would like to welcome Monica Taylor-Desir (CS 2, pictured left) and Nomi Levy-Carrick (CS 3, pictured right) as our new members of the CSAN Board of Directors. Both Monica and Nomi have been actively involved in various aspects of our inaugural year. We are excited to have their insight and commitment as we move forward into year 2.
Nomi Levy-Carrick (CS 3) has been invited to serve on the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program Scientific/Technical Advisory Committee (STAC), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH),Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC).
Nomi previously served as the Mental Health Director of the World Trade Center Environmental Health Center in 2011.
Lilia Cervantes (CS 5) has accepted a position to serve on the National Advisory Council for the NIH National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).
To learn more about this organization, visit https://www.niddk.nih.gov/
Congratulations to David Reznik (CS 1) who was recognition by the Metropolitan Atlanta HIV Health Services Planning Council for his outstanding contributions to the HIV Community and was awarded the Faye Brown Sperling Legacy Award.
PRINCETON—President Donald Trump issued dozens of executive orders this week to roll back diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and end efforts to boost healthcare coverage, lower drug prices, address infectious diseases, and more. Dr. Richard Besser, president and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, issued the following statement in response.
These executive orders, along with dozens of others that roll back health measures and diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, reverse course on the nation’s necessary journey toward a more just and equitable future. It is unconscionable that the Trump administration would coopt the language and vision of the civil rights movement in these executive orders as it attempts to send our nation back to an era of rampant, state-sanctioned discrimination. Ultimately, these measures drive us farther away from a future when health is no longer a privilege, but a right for all.
Everyone wants healthcare rooted in compassion and respect. Research shows that greater diversity among doctors improves health outcomes for people of color, disabled people, women, LGBTQIA+ patients, and others whose identities have long been underrepresented in the healthcare field. Plus, strategies aimed at reducing racial disparities in healthcare—such as maternal health and cancer care—lead to better outcomes for all patients. The evidence is clear: a diverse healthcare workforce and inclusive policies serve us all. These executive orders serve no one.
We believe that policies across all levels of government—especially from the White House—should build upon people’s aspirations for better, healthier lives. Instead of sowing division, discord, and fear, our leaders should be strengthening access to healthcare, protecting workers, and supporting families.
At RWJF, we will continue to defend and advance fundamental American values of diversity, equity, and inclusion with the urgency this moment requires. This includes steps such as increasing our investments in efforts to diversify the healthcare professions, as well as supporting legal, communications, and organizing efforts alongside leaders in the field. These actions will improve the health of us all. Our grantees and partners have for decades worked relentlessly to build a healthier, more equitable future for everyone. In these days of backlash and backsliding, we at RWJF must match our commitment and resolve to transform health in our lifetime. We will.
Jan. 23, 2025
