Graduation Procedures and Awards

Graduation Information for School of Public Health

Graduation Application
All graduating candidates must complete a Graduation Application during the first month of their final semester. Students can obtain the form from the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs in the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine (504.988.5388, Tidewater Building, suite 2460).

Those candidates who will not be attending the graduation ceremony must submit an In Absentia form to the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine Office of Admissions and Student Affairs to have their diplomas mailed or to pick up their diplomas at the Uptown Registrar’s Office in Gibson Hall.

Graduation Regalia
All degree candidates participating in the graduation ceremony are required to wear academic regalia. The candidate must arrange cap and gown rental from the Tulane Medical School Bookstore by the deadline for that semester (phone: 504.988.5204).

Financial and Academic Obligations
All encumbrances with Tulane University must be paid prior to graduation. It is the candidate’s responsibility to check with the Accounts Receivable Office (phone: 504.865.5368).

Combined degree students must complete requirements for both degrees prior to graduation to receive both degrees. Students who have not completed all requirements for the MPH degree before graduation will not receive the combined degree.

If a student does not complete the combined degree, he or she must complete additional hours if he or she plans to complete the public health degree after medical school graduation. In addition, the student will be financially responsible for tuition and fees associated with any additional requirements.

Graduation Awards
The MD/MPH Combined Degree Program bestows two awards during the award ceremonies preceding May commencement. The MD/MPH faculty advisors and School of Medicine representatives nominate worthy students, and the MD/MPH Advisory Committee (including student representatives) chooses the recipients after careful deliberation. The recipients are notified only shortly before the award ceremonies.

John J. Walsh, MD Award for the Outstanding Student in the MD/MPH Program
This award was initiated in 2002 and is presented to a graduating senior by the SPHTM at its awards ceremony. The award is presented to a student who best exhibits extraordinary leadership in and commitment to improving the health of individuals and communities. Past recipients include the following:

Class of 2007 Kristina Lewis
Class of 2006 Jacqueline Firth
Class of 2005 shared by Michael Craig and Colleen Johnson
Class of 2004 Ann Zeneberg
Class of 2003 shared by Kelly Vallance and Julianna Whiteman
Class of 2002 Caroline Campion

The John J. Walsh, MD Award is made possible by a generous donation from the Donum Dei Foundation.

MD/MPH Student Award for Excellence
This award is presented to a graduating senior by the School of Medicine at its Ivy Day. The award is presented to a student with demonstrated excellence in leadership, innovation, scholarship, and likelihood to contribute to both clinical medicine and public health. Past recipients include the following:

Class of 2007 Tanya Rogo
Class of 2006 shared by Daniel Johnson and Adam Kean
Class of 2005 Melissa Trozzi
Class of 2004 Christopher Merritt
Class of 2003 Jason Block
Class of 2002 Christie Gooden
Class of 2001 Rebecca Whitney
Class of 2000 Kate Flanigan