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.
The honor came as a surprise. As attendees gathered for group photos after celebrating EMBRACE Coordinator Linda Adodoadji's acceptance into medical school, Lovie Foster, PhD, EMBRACE deputy director of research, took the microphone.
"Behind, or maybe beside, every great coordinator is a great MPI [multiple principal investigator]," she said before taking Méndez's hand and leading her to the podium. She then motioned for Carl Lawson, PhD, to join them.
Lawson explained that, as associate vice chancellor for engagement and enrichment for Pitt’s Schools of the Health Sciences, he and his team created the award to recognize people who foster connected, inclusive and supportive communities on Pitt's campus and throughout the greater Pittsburgh region.
After a brief pause, Lawson revealed, "...one of the inaugural winners of this award happens to be an associate professor of epidemiology." The crowd erupted into applause.
Lawson highlighted Méndez's work as founding director of Pitt’s EMBRACE Maternal Health Center of Excellence. He also noted her role in training more than 40 public health research and practice scholars through the Health Justice Scholars and Maternal and Child Health Equity Scholars programs.
In her nomination, Tina Ndoh, PhD, Pitt Public Health associate professor of environmental and occupational health, noted that “these programs create structures and supportive pathways for the next generation of health equity practitioners, fostering a sense of belonging and shared purpose among students, faculty and community partners alike.”
Méndez also serves on the board of the Allegheny County Health Department and is associate director of the school’s Center for Health Equity.
Lawson praised Méndez for advancing the nation's understanding of racism's public health implications and for building welcoming spaces that connect the University of Pittsburgh with surrounding communities, particularly historically marginalized populations.
"Thank you, Dr. Méndez, for all that you do," he said.
-Caitlin McCullough
