The University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health marked a milestone at its May 2 commencement, celebrating 350 graduates—the largest class in the school’s 78-year history—at the University of Pittsburgh’s Victory Heights Arena, a shift driven by the school’s continued growth.
Graduates representing 10 countries gathered with family, friends and faculty in a space large enough to match the scale of the moment.
In her remarks, Dean Maureen Lichtveld, MD, MPH, emphasized both the resilience of the class and the responsibility ahead, offering three guiding messages for graduates.
“No does not mean stop,” she said. “It means try and try again.”
She also underscored the importance of collective strength and connection: “It’s not about me or you; it’s about us—together we are resilient,” and reminded graduates that “your career potential is in large part determined by the strength of the bond with your network.”
Senior Vice Chancellor for the Health Sciences Anantha Shekhar, MD, PhD, reflected on the evolution of public health—from its early roots in sanitation and infectious disease control to today’s global challenges—and urged graduates to pair innovation with advocacy.
“The question shouldn’t be, what is the future of public health?” he said. “The question should be, what is our future without public health?”
Commencement speaker Chris DeCardy, president of The Heinz Endowments, delivered an address that connected the history of public health to the challenges graduates are now stepping into. Drawing on examples from environmental health pioneers like Rachel Carson to emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and genomics, he emphasized both the complexity of today’s problems and the unprecedented tools available to address them.
Public health progress, he noted, is rarely linear, but the opportunity for impact has never been greater.
“You are the ones positioned to make it happen,” he told graduates, urging them to pair scientific rigor with bold thinking and a deep sense of responsibility to the public.
Another highlight of the ceremony was the honoring of Diane Holder, chair of the school’s Board of Visitors, who received an honorary Doctor of Population Health degree. Recognized for more than four decades of leadership in health care, Holder reflected on the importance of using knowledge in service of others.
“My wish for each of the graduates today is that you will use your knowledge to make a real impact in the world,” she said.
Student speakers brought a personal perspective to the ceremony.
Epidemiology doctoral graduate Nathan Raabe reflected on his journey through three degrees at Pitt and the often unseen nature of public health work. Referencing a story about returning stranded starfish to the ocean one by one, he encouraged his peers to keep acting, even when the scale of the challenge feels overwhelming.
“When the work feels too large… throw the starfish anyway,” he said.
Undergraduate speaker Georgia Yialamas reflected on how her understanding of public health evolved from an introductory class to a broader commitment to community impact.
“Public health is about changing lives, shaping communities, and leaving a legacy that extends far beyond ourselves,” she said, urging her classmates to advocate for those often overlooked and to push for more equitable systems.
As graduates crossed the stage at Victory Heights, the setting underscored the moment: a growing school and a record-setting class of future public health leaders.
“It’s not about you or me. It’s about us,” Lichtveld said in her closing.
— Clare Collins
Photos from the 2026 School of Public Health graduation ceremony can be viewed and downloaded on Flickr. A recording of the ceremony will also be available soon on the Graduation Ceremony webpage.
Celebrating the Class of 2026: Student Voices and Lasting Impact
From academic excellence to global research and community-focused service, Pitt Public Health graduates are prepared to make a meaningful difference in the world. Meet a few of the outstanding students whose experiences reflect the strength and diversity of this year’s class.
- Delmaliz Barreto-Vazquez, Environmental and Occupational Health
Dr. Delmaliz Barreto-Vazquez distinguished herself through global research and was awarded a highly competitive NIH Fogarty fellowship to study in Suriname. Her work on SARS-CoV-2 infections in unvaccinated children is expected to influence health policy across the Caribbean and other low- and middle-income countries.
“Ultimately, Pitt Public Health and the UJMT Fogarty fellowship provided the essential setup to refine my competencies, empowering me to translate the needs of underserved international communities into actionable, evidence-based health interventions.”
- Rina Mahoney, Human Genetics
Rina Mahoney recently earned her MS in Genetic Counseling after completing her MPH in Public Health Genetics. During her time at Pitt, she was recognized with the Outstanding Student Award (’23) and the Dean’s Service Award (’26). She also contributed to the academic community as a Student Ambassador for the Department of Human Genetics and as a Course Assistant for HUGEN 2040, a core Human Genetics course.
“Having had the privilege to attend Pitt Public Health for both my public health degree and my clinical degree, I am constantly in awe of how frequently the two intersect. When I sit down in a genetic counseling appointment with a patient, my public health education reminds me that the factors influencing my patient's decisions are not only personal, but also relational, organizational and political. My experience has trained me to communicate effectively with patients, providers and stakeholders to advocate for the best possible care for my community.”
- Zach Reissman, Infectious Diseases and Microbiology
Zach is following in the footsteps of his parents, Drs. Steve and Dori Reisman. Rear Admiral Dori Reisman led efforts at the CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to address the health impacts of the 9/11 attacks on workers who risked their lives in the response. Zach plans to use his MPH degree in infectious disease prevention to serve communities in Pittsburgh and beyond.
“I really appreciated the comradery in my cohort and among the faculty in my department. There was a definite appreciation with being able to associate and hear perspectives of other people with different backgrounds and interests. This allowed me to expand my knowledge and understanding of various topics that I would not have previously thought of.”
- Natalya Temple, Health Policy and Management
A 2026 MHA graduate, Natalya Temple joined Pitt Public Health after completing her undergraduate studies at San Diego State University. She excelled academically while also contributing to multiple award-winning case competition teams and earning the 2026 Outstanding Student Award.
“I have learned so much more than I thought I could in a two-year MHA program.The extended residency program drew me to Pitt, and now I feel so prepared to enter the workforce… Thanks to HPM, I know now how I can make an impact.”