Alumna Tiana Davis '17MPH Receives Mass. Public Health Association’s “Emerging Leader” Award
Davis received the Emerging Leader/Alfred Frechette Award at the 21st Annual MPHA Spring Awards Breakfast.
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Health promotion and policy alumna Tiana Davis '17MPH was one of four public health professionals recently honored by the Massachusetts Public Health Association (MPHA). Davis received the Emerging Leader/Alfred Frechette Award at the 21st Annual MPHA Spring Awards Breakfast held on June 2, 2023. Also recognized were Dr. Matilde Castiel, Kevin Cranston, and Adrienne “Andy” Epstein, RN, for "their stellar contributions to safeguard the health of our communities at the local and state levels."
David was named Deputy Public Health Commissioner for the City of Springfield in July 2021. She has worked for over 15 years in public health at a community health center, a local hospital, and for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Health & Human Services and volunteers at local organizations serving underserved populations Among her many responsibilities, she oversees the Health Services for the Homeless Health Center, a Federally Qualified Health Center offering primary care, behavioral health, dental, and enabling support services across Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties.
“We must do all we can to keep disparities from widening and to address the root cause of existing health inequities,” Davis stated. “It is said health and housing are not privileges; they are a right. Anything other than this is complicit, masking itself under intentional implicit bias pretense.”
More than 330 people attended the sold-out event held at the Artists For Humanity EpiCenter in South Boston. MPHA raised $145,000 to support its advocacy, community organizing, and coalition building to create health equity by addressing the root causes and promoting policies that impact the major drivers of health outcomes, such as access to healthy food, safe affordable housing, and transportation.
Carlene Pavlos, Executive Director of MPHA, stated, ““At this moment in history, when public health staff in Massachusetts and across the country have faced backlash and even harassment, it is more important than ever to celebrate those who have committed themselves to this hard and live-saving work.”