UCLA's Shocking Hall of Fame Inductees: 7 Alums You Won't Believe Made the Cut!

In a significant recognition of impactful contributions to public health, seven distinguished graduates from the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health have been inducted into the school's "Hall of Fame" for 2025. This honor acknowledges their profound influence on public health both in Los Angeles and internationally, showcasing the vital role that public health plays in enhancing lives and fostering global connections.

UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk, a distinguished professor in the Fielding School's Department of Health Policy and Management, emphasized the importance of public health during the induction ceremony held on December 8. He stated, “Public health improves the lives of millions of people, and it connects human to human and nation to nation. This year’s Hall of Fame inductees embody this global nature of public health. They demonstrate how it brings people together across languages and cultures for a common good.”

The 2025 inductees include:

• Patience Afulani (MPH ’11, Ph.D. ’15, Community Health Sciences) - Currently an associate professor at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), Afulani leads the Person-Centered Equity Lab, focusing on research projects aimed at improving patient experiences in countries like Ghana and Kenya.
• Mary Anne Foo (MPH ‘93, Community Health Sciences) - As the executive director and founder of the Orange County Asian and Pacific Islander Community Alliance (OCAPICA), Foo's organization serves over 80,000 individuals annually and is recognized as the largest Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander nonprofit in the region.
• Na He (Ph.D., ’03, Epidemiology) - He is a professor and dean at Fudan University’s School of Public Health in Shanghai, China. He has played a pivotal role in HIV epidemiology and prevention and has been a consultant for national anti-HIV/AIDS efforts in China since 2004.
• Cozzette Lyons-Jones (MPH ’18, Health Policy and Management) - Serving as the chief medical officer at Watts Healthcare Corporation in Los Angeles, Lyons-Jones has been instrumental in implementing digital health innovations and enhancing patient care through strategic partnerships.
• Anne Rimoin (MPH ’07, Community Health Sciences) - A professor in the Department of Epidemiology at UCLA Fielding, Rimoin focuses on emerging and vaccine-preventable diseases, contributing significant research during the COVID-19 pandemic and other infectious disease outbreaks.
• Dr. Manuel Roberto Calderón Pinzón (MPH ’84, Health Policy and Management) - With over 30 years of experience in public health across 20 countries, Calderón Pinzón has held various leadership roles, including serving as vice minister of public health in Guatemala.
• Ritu Sadana (MS ’87, Health Policy and Management) - A global leader in public health, Sadana has been instrumental in shaping the World Health Organization's strategies on aging and equity, including leading the WHO's Global Strategy on Ageing and Health.

The latest honorees join a prestigious group of over 90 alumni recognized since the Hall of Fame's inception. Nominees are selected by a committee comprised of members from the UCLA Fielding Public Health Alumni Association Board and faculty members, ensuring a rigorous review process. This recognition is a testament to the enduring legacy of the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health in shaping global public health policy and practices.

Ron Brookmeyer, dean of the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, noted the importance of organizations like the Public Health Alumni Association, particularly in these challenging times. “We are living in a time of unprecedented challenges and uncertainties for universities and for public health, and organizations like the Public Health Alumni Association are more important now than ever. Whether your career is well-established or if you’re just starting out — your presence here today strengthens our collective resolve to improve public health in Los Angeles, in California, and beyond.”

This recognition highlights not only the achievements of these individuals but also emphasizes the broader mission of public health professionals to enhance the well-being of communities across the globe. As public health continues to face evolving challenges, the contributions of these alumni serve as an inspiring reminder of the potential to effect meaningful change.