As a young man, Cory Easton knew he wanted to work in health care and help a lot of people, but he didn’t feel he had the academic chops to be a doctor. So he became more interested in the business of health and, ultimately, in how to ensure people got the medicine they needed at the right time, for the right reasons and at the right price.

Our SPH colleagues continue to investigate and find solutions for some of the most crucial public health issues of our time. Get the latest here in the Spring Research Roundup that celebrates the excellent work and dedicated humans of UMD School of Public Health. 

Since transferring from Harford Community College to the UMD School of Public Health, Lahna Hall, who graduated this Spring in public health practice,  has always been passionate about the health of her community.

Growing up, first-generation UMD School of Public Health graduate Crisdel Mayen Velasquez witnessed her parents struggle to navigate the U.S. healthcare system. Like many children of immigrant parents, she helped translate their medical documents.

This Spring, UMD School of Public Health (SPH) recognized four outstanding members of the community with its highest honor – the Distinguished Terrapin Award.

Several School of Public Health faculty were singled out for accolades at this year’s Maryland Research Excellence Celebration, which honors the distinct and notable accomplishments of University of Maryland researchers.

The School of Public Health (SPH) Alumni Network awarded the Public Health Emerging and Engaging Leaders (PHEEL) Award to seven outstanding recent graduates in April 2025. Each honoree was selected for their excellence in their career progression, service and leadership. 

Brian Pieninck started his career in a storage room, as an IT contractor without a college degree, learning his job as he went. It’s been years since then, but the CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield president and CEO says the lessons from that time have remained.

SPH staff members Lanna Duarte and Mary Shelley were recognized this winter with UMD’s Fearlessly Forward Awards for their outstanding work and innovative projects, and Dr Sarah Peitzmeier is one of 10 faculty to win Independent Scholarship, Research, and Creativity Awards. 

Winter break was no break for School of Public Health faculty who won prestigious memberships that both honor their work thus far and invite them to contribute to national policy and scholarship in their public health disciplines.