The School of Public Health (SPH) Alumni Network awarded the Public Health Emerging and Engaging Leaders (PHEEL) Award, to four outstanding recent graduates in April 2024. Each honoree was selected for their excellence in their career progression, service and leadership.
The honorees include Deanna Barath, PhD ’22, Fabian Doñate, MHA '20, Kimberly Stinchcomb, MPH '16, Monique Thornton, '13 (Community Health).
The PHEEL Award recognizes outstanding graduates who have received any degree from SPH within the last 10 years.
PHEEL awardees are also candidates for the new SPH Early Career Award to be given on April 19, 2024, honoring an alum who has graduated in the last 10 years, is distinguished professionally and reflects SPH’s core values. This year’s Early Career Award Recipient is Kimberly Stinchcomb, MPH ‘16.
We are proud to recognize the 2024 cohort of the PHEEL Award and look forward to their continued contributions as they continue growing in their careers and connect with our community!
Meet the 2024 PHEEL Award Recipients
2024 Early Career Award Recipient
Kimberly Stinchcomb, MPH '16 (Environmental Health)
Kimberly Stinchcomb, MPH, is currently the Manager of Community Impact and Assessment at the Prince George’s County Health Department. Her role involves engaging community partners to drive positive change through the Prince George’s County Healthcare Action Coalition. She leads efforts to develop the Community Health Improvement Plan, collaborating with stakeholders to address community health priorities identified in the Community Health Assessment, while ensuring adherence to Accreditation standards.
Deanna Barath, MPH, PhD ’22 (Health Policy and Management)
Dr. Deanna Barath, MPH, PhD, is currently an Assistant Teaching Professor within the Public Health Program at Florida State University. Her multifaceted role extends beyond the classroom, encompassing leadership positions as the Director of Community Outreach and the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) Accreditation Coordinator. In addition to her academic pursuits, Dr. Barath is the visionary CEO of DeliBerate Strategies, LLC, a distinguished public health consulting agency. Her expertise lies in a diverse array of areas, including health services, policy development, advocacy, program planning, and quality improvement.
Fabian Doñate, MHA '20 (Health Administration)
Fabian Doñate is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, holding a BS in Public Health, and he furthered his education by earning a Master of Health Administration (MHA) from the University of Maryland, College Park. Elected in 2022, Senator Doñate currently represents Nevada's 10th Senate District in Clark County. This district includes prominent areas such as the Las Vegas Strip, Harry Reid International Airport, UNLV, and Central-East Las Vegas. Notably, during the 82nd Legislative Session, Senator Doñate assumed the role of Chair for the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, demonstrating his commitment to addressing critical issues in public health and human welfare within the state.
Monique Thornton, '13 (Community Health), MPH
Monique Thornton, MPH, is the founder and CEO of Let's Talk Public Health, a Washington, DC-based public health communication and marketing consultancy. Through Let’s Talk Public Health, she provides resources, products, and services that help students, professionals, and organizations to effectively and creatively engage with people around public health topics and issues.