Public Health Honors Societies Welcome New Members

The UNC Charlotte graduate chapters of Upsilon Phi Delta (UPD) and Beta Phi chapter of Delta Omega honor societies recently celebrated new members as part of the Department of Public Health Sciences’ combined honor society induction event, which was held virtually this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

UPD recognizes the top 10% of the graduating class, based on GPA, in addition to distinguished alumni, faculty, and honorary members based on service to the public health professions and to the program.

The 2020 student inductees are Taylor Bailey, Patrick Gitter, Morganne Guinther, Kathryn Olcott and Anne-Marie Wingate.

Guinther was also named as this year’s recipient of the Richard Martin Excellence in Service award. The award honors the late PHS alumnus and friend by recognizing a student inductee who most displayed Martin’s selfless service to others.

Darya Tretiu (MHA ’12), currently a sourcing manager at Novant Health, is this year’s alumni inductee.

The Chapter recently began the process of transitioning its nascent chapter advisory council into a more formal executive board role. Alumna Amanda Deese (BSPH ’16; MHA, MS ‘18) is serving as interim president. Deese announced the induction of Dr. Elena Platonova as a faculty member.

Click here for the full printable program with embedded links to the video ceremony.

Delta Omega nominates students in the top 25% of the graduating class academically, for both the MPH and BSPH programs. Inductees are elected by the Delta Omega membership. Delta Omega also recognizes distinguished alumni, faculty, and honorary members based on service to the profession and to the program.

The 2020 undergraduate student inductees are Abigail Coffey, Maria Cruzat, Afra Mahmood, and Veronica Stringfield. Medjatu Kuyateh was inducted as a graduate student member.

Maria Diaz (MPH ’19), Keila Marlin (MPH ’18), and Erin Vinoski Thomas (PhD ’19) were inducted as alumni members. Deborah Beete was selected as this year’s faculty inductee, and Dean Catrine Tudor-Locke was inducted as this year’s honorary member.

The current officers have completed their two year terms, and the chapter will transition to the leadership of President-elect, Dr. Andrew Harver.