Center for Health Equity News
These fresh classes, majors and certificates open new possibilities
The School of Public Health is expanding its curriculum with four new innovative courses.
Kyaien O. Conner brings a public health perspective to Pitt’s School of Social Work
Trained as both a social worker and public health researcher, Kyaien O. Conner (PhD, SSW ’08, MPH, BCHS ’07), has developed a career focused on understanding how individual health is connected to families, communities and the broader systems around them. Now, as dean of the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work and a Pitt Public Health alumna, she sees an opportunity to bring those perspectives together in new ways.
Méndez receives inaugural Pitt Health Sciences Community Building Excellence Award
During the 2026 EMBRACE Summit, Dara D. Méndez, PhD, associate professor of epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, received one of two inaugural Pitt Health Sciences Community Building Excellence Awards. She was recognized for advancing maternal and reproductive health and justice among Black people in Allegheny County.
Center for Health Equity academic year-end celebration
As students prepare for their next steps, the celebration served as a reminder that health equity, health justice and social justice remain central to the mission of public health—and to the work Pitt Public Health students will continue to lead in their communities and careers.
Kyaien O. Conner is the new dean of the School of Social Work
Kyaien O. Conner, an alum of Pitt's School of Social Work and School of Public Health, has been named dean of the School of Social Work. Among her Pitt credentials is an MPH from Pitt Public Health, where she specialized in minority health and health disparities.
Aman named 2025 winner of Bernard D. Goldstein Student Award
Miranda Aman, MPH, has been named the 2025 recipient of the Bernard D. Goldstein Student Award in Environmental Health Disparities and Public Health Practice. A doctoral student in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at Pitt Public Health, Aman focuses her research on asthma and indoor air quality.
Deakings honored as Distinguished Research Alumnus, joins Fab 40 Under 40
Jason Deakings, PhD, MPH, assistant professor of behavioral and community health sciences and associate director of the Center for Health Equity, recently received separate honors highlighting his research accomplishments. He was named to the 2026 New Pittsburgh Courier’s “Fab 40 under 40” list and, on behalf of Meharry Medical College, chosen as a Distinguished Research Alumnus.
Center of Excellence in Maternal and Child Health adds graduate certificate program
Graduate students interested in maternal and child health (MCH) can now add another credential to their resume. The University has approved a graduate certificate program in MCH. Supported by the Center for Health Equity, the 15-credit MCH certificate will prepare students to lead efforts to advance the health and equity of women, children and families.
Data Justice for Pittsburgh's Black Neighborhoods honored as a partnership of distinction
Data Justice for Pittsburgh’s Black Neighborhoods was honored as a 2025 Partnership of Distinction at Pitt’s Community Engaged Scholarship Forum on March 3. The organization’s Data Justice Working Group is co-led by Tiffany Gary-Webb, professor of epidemiology and associate director of the Center for Health Equity at Pitt Public Health, and Bob Gradeck of Pitt’s University Center for Urban and Social Research.
Reproductive injustice panel traces roots of modern reproductive and immigration policies
The Center for Health Equity and Center of Excellence in Maternal and Child Health hosted a virtual panel on reproductive justice on January 21. Panelists discussed how recent challenges to reproductive care, immigration and birthright citizenship reflect the discriminatory treatment of several marginalized groups throughout history.
9 Pitt affiliates were named New Pittsburgh Courier Women of Excellence
Tiffany Gary-Webb, associate professor of epidemiology and associate director of the Center for Health Equity, was one of nine Pitt leaders and affiliates have been recognized by the New Pittsburgh Courier as Women of Excellence for their professional achievements and contributions to the Greater Pittsburgh community.
New Pitt classes and programs launch in fall 2025
Pitt Public Health is offering new courses for fall 2025, including a Disaster Preparedness Certificate and a course in AI in Health Data Science, as well as training opportunities through the Center of Excellence in Maternal and Child Health.
Tiffany Gary-Webb receives inaugural Dr. Felicia Hill-Briggs Health Equity Trailblazer in Diabetes Award
The American Diabetes Association presented the inaugural Dr. Felicia Hill-Briggs Health Equity Trailblazer in Diabetes Award to Epidemiology's Tiffany Gary-Webb.
New center and training program prepare future leaders in maternal and child health
A new Center of Excellence in Maternal and Child Health Education, Science, and Practice is launching at Pitt Public Health—with a mission to train the next generation of public health leaders committed to improving outcomes for birthing people, children and families.