DGHI Honors 34 Global Health Graduate Students at Commencement

Last Friday, May 13, faculty and staff of the Duke Global Health Institute (DGHI) and 34 graduates of the Duke Master of Science in Global Health (MSc-GH) celebrated commencement in a ceremony in the Great Hall of the Mary Duke Biddle Trent Semans Center for Health Education.

Notably, the MSc-GH class of 2016 reflects a 100 percent graduation rate among of the students who began the program in the fall of 2014.

In his opening remarks, Michael Merson, director of DGHI, praised the graduates for their accomplishments but noted that more work lies ahead: “Graduation is not an end, but a beginning. You are the next generation of leaders in global health, and while those who have come before you have made great strides, there remains much to do make this world a healthier place.”

Doctoral Scholars and Certificate Graduates Recognized

Kathy Sikkema, director of doctoral studies at DGHI, recognized two global health doctoral scholars and two global health doctoral certificate graduates from 2015 and three doctoral scholars who are receiving their PhD in 2016. The doctoral certificate and scholar graduates represent a wide range of academic disciplines, including biomedical engineering, clinical psychology and environmental economics.

Christopher Woods Recognized for his Tenure as Program Director 

Michael Merson honored Christopher Woods, director of the MSc-GH program, for his seven-year tenure leading the program. Woods, who is stepping down from his role as program director to assume a leadership position in the Duke medical center, conceived and developed the MSc-GH program and has been the director of the program since its inception. 

Merson praised Woods for “working tirelessly to nurture students’ personal and professional growth while balancing a clinical practice, directing a laboratory and conducting robust research programs in infectious diseases.” Woods will continue to teach and conduct research at DGHI, and Melissa Watt, assistant global health professor and former assistant director of the MSc-GH program, will lead the program.

In his remarks, Woods noted that this year’s graduates conducted research in 20 different countries. He commented on how the students have inspired him: “I’ve had the opportunity to meet the next generation of global health leaders, and teaching you and working with you as you channel your intelligence and energy into positive change keeps me motivated to continue this work.”

Student Speaker Nicole Jadue Embraced the Durham Community

This year’s graduate commencement speaker, Nicole Jadue, encouraged her classmates to pursue a global health career that reflects “daily sacrificial love for the sake of justice being exercised in our work and practiced with our choices.” She toasted, “To many years of joyful sacrifice, fueled by love for others, that bears fruit for people and grants all of us healthier lives. To global health.”

Jadue came to Duke with a medical degree and two years of experience as a family physician in a non-profit clinic in one of the poorest neighborhoods in her hometown of Santiago, Chile, where she provided care for about 4,000 families.

While at Duke, Jadue became a resident and leader in the Oak Creek Village community in Durham, where many of the residents are refugees from Asia, Africa and South America. Jadue is part of a “DWELL” team of 12 volunteer leaders whose mission is to engage with the community members on a personal level, acting as leaders, mentors, advocates and friends. She recently received the Distinguished Leadership and Service Award from the Duke Student Affairs office in recognition of her work with DWELL. 

For her master’s thesis, Jadue studied the influence of gender and power on choice and uptake of long-acting contraceptives in Haiti. 

Jadue will stay in Durham for one year to run a project through a local United Methodist Church that will provide outreach to underserved, undocumented and marginalized groups. “I wanted to invest further in this community because I feel that they’ve deeply invested in me,” Jadue reflected. 

Elizabeth Turner Wins Professor of the Year

Elizabeth Turner, assistant professor of biostatistics, bioinformatics and global health, was voted the graduate professor of the year, supported by numerous student nominations. “I had never realized that it was possible to make a quantitative methods class engaging, but Dr. Turner was able to do that and more,” one student wrote. “Her vast knowledge combined with her approachable and warm personality, made my learning environment so engaging and motivating to ask questions, inquire further, think more deeply and work harder.” 

Tatenda Yemeke Voted Outstanding Graduate Student of the Year

Tatenda Yemeke received the outstanding graduate student of the year award, this year renamed the “Madeline Boccuzzi Award,” honoring an exceptional MSc-GH graduate who received the award in 2013 and passed away in 2014 after a battle with cancer. The award is presented annually to a student who excels in the classroom and the field and builds community at Duke.

For his MSc-GH thesis project, Yemeke, who grew up in Zimbabwe, assessed the prevalence of traumatic experience and mental health distress among HIV positive women in Cape Town, South Africa, who were initiating or had defaulted on antiretroviral medications. In addition to his academic work, Yemeke focused on the representation of African students and African culture on campus. He co-founded the Duke African Graduate and Professional Students Association and took an active role in the Duke’s inaugural student-organized global health film festival.

One of Yemeke’s advisors, DGHI professor Kathy Sikkema, commented in her nomination, “There are a number of words to describe the traits that make him successful—curious, respectful, insightful, bright, hard-working … However, to me, most importantly, Tatenda is resilient.”

Another advisor who nominated Yemeke, assistant global health professor Melissa Watt, noted that she has been “impressed by Tatenda’s analytic thinking, excellent writing skills, strong work ethic, and ability to carry tasks from conceptualization to product. His performance in the program, and his potential to make an impact on global health in his future, are exceptional.”