Alumni Association

The Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine is delighted to announce new executive leadership within the Public Health Alumni Association (PHAA). We welcome new President, Cheryle Bernard-Shaw, President-Elect, Donald Simpson, and Olalekan Ogunsakin, Secretary. 

Cheryle Bernard-Shaw is an Attorney, and formerly the Chief Legal, Compliance and Internal Audit Officer of a large, acute care hospital in North San Diego County. She is an alumna of UC Santa Barbara and Tulane’s Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tulane University Law School. Cheryle is currently CEO and Managing Consultant for Bernard-Shaw & Associates based in San Diego County, CA. 

Don Simpson is a seasoned higher education leader and ASCP-certified Cytologist with a career spanning over two decades and five academic institutions. As a first-generation college student, he is driven by a profound passion for serving the underserved and a deep understanding of the challenges facing higher education today. His leadership roles have included Program Director, Dean, and Special Assistant to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. He has also championed student success, securing scholarships for disadvantaged students and leading projects to increase COVID-19 vaccination rates in underserved communities. Don lives in Fort Smith, Arkansas with his wife, Shelley, and continues to be a driving force for public health and educational excellence. 

Olalekan Ogunsakin currently works as an Associate Professor and Course Director of Pathology at Touro University, College of Osteopathic Medicine, a medical institution in New York City. A graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria, Ola is a proud Tulane alum whose journey began as a novice and – as he describes himself – “a clueless international student who grew into to becoming a national leader and mentor.” 

The PHAA is grateful for the steady and incredible impactful support of Dr. Janeen Azare, who helmed the board for two remarkable years, and to those whose board service recently ended: Lauren Bryant; Kelly Bertenthal DeJean; Jacqueline Lauer; Meredith McInturff; and Courtney Story. If you’re interested in learning more about the PHAA or joining the board, please contact Caitrin Gladow at cgladow@tulane.edu.

Organized in 1997, the SPHTM Alumni Association plays an active role in the school and in the lives of alumni and current students. Some of the association's regular activities include:

• Networking events among alumni as well as those that bring alumni and students together
• Fundraising to support the Alumni Association Scholarship and Food for Thought Pantry
• Mentoring among alumni and with graduating students
• SPHTM Alumni Chapters
• An active LinkedIn Group

The association board meets at least twice a year with active planning and communications taking place via email and conference calls throughout the year.