Annual Teaching Awards Highlight YSPH’s Top Educators

At the Yale School of Public Health, our faculty and teaching fellows are committed to providing students with the highest quality training in the science and art of public health. Each year, members of the graduating class are asked to select educators who they feel stand out amongst their peers and best exemplify this most important mission. This year’s teaching awards recognize individuals who are at the top of their craft—sharing knowledge, translating science, inspiring students, and leaving such a lasting impression upon their peers and classes that they were nominated for these prestigious honors.

Congratulations to this year’s winners and all those who were nominated because of their outstanding work.

Dr. J. Lucian ‘Luke’ Davis, MD

Associate Professor of Epidemiology (Microbial Diseases),

and of Medicine (Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine)

Affiliated faculty, Yale Institute for Global Health

Director, Implementation Science Track

Dr. Davis is a clinical epidemiologist and pulmonary and critical care physician who uses implementation science to find, treat, and prevent tuberculosis and HIV, two of the leading causes of death due to infection worldwide. A popular teacher and mentor, Dr. Davis is known for his highly detailed, well-prepared, and engaging lectures in which he bridges rigorous academic content with real-world examples and stories from his own professional experiences. Students who nominated Dr. Davis cited his genuine interest in their success, not just in the classroom, but in their future careers in public health as well. Students also praised Dr. Davis for his detailed feedback on assignments and willingness to provide students extra support when needed. “Dr. Davis is incredibly approachable and responsive,” one student wrote in their nomination. “He makes himself available to meet with students, offering personalized guidance and encouragement that speaks to his deep care for each student’s academic and professional journey. His commitment to excellence and mentorship makes him a standout educator who has made a lasting impact.”

Other nominees: Dr. Daniel Weinberger, PhD; Dr. Mark Schlesinger, PhD

Dr. Susan Busch, PhD

Susan Dwight Bliss Professor of Public Health

Professor in the Institution for Social and Policy Studies

Dr. Busch is the Susan Dwight Bliss Professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management where she conducts research at the intersection of public policy, behavioral health, and health care payment systems. She is affiliated with the Yale Program in Addiction Medicine, the Tobin Center for Economic Policy, and the Yale Cancer Center. She currently teaches a course on U.S. Mental Health Policy. Dr. Busch is well-known for going the extra mile for her students, which was clearly reflected in multiple student nominations for the mentoring award. “Without Susan, I am convinced that I may not have made it through my program, let alone realize the success I have to date,” one student wrote. The student praised Dr. Busch for helping her through some personal challenges while at YSPH, and frequently checking in with her, not only for updates on her academic work, but to assess her personal well-being as well. “Susan’s availability, proactivity, and encouragement kept me connected to my degree at a time when such connection felt nearly impossible,” the student said. Another student said having the opportunity to have Dr. Busch as a mentor was one of their reasons for enrolling at YSPH. “Her incredible work as an academic drew me here, and I could not feel luckier that she also turned out to be an incredible mentor and person,” the student wrote in their nomination. “Her passion for mentorship is clear. She prioritizes her students and is tremendously generous with her time and knowledge.” The student noted that Dr. Busch connected them to other “students, predocs, postdocs, and investigators” from other schools. These collaborations led to the publication of 10 research papers and the student receiving multiple national research awards. “I have no doubt that without Susan, I would not have been nearly as successful during my program,” the student said.

Other nominees: Dr. Daniel Carrión, PhD, MPH; Dr. Robert Heimer, PhD; Dr. Fan Li, PhD; Dr. Joshua Warren, PhD; Dr. Amy Bei, PhD; Dr. Zeyan Liew, PhD, MPH; Alice Miller, JD;

(Nominated by students and faculty)

Jessica Peirong Shi, MS ’25 (Biostatistics)

For Jessica Shi, MS ’25, teaching has always been a passion and a source of inspiration. During her two years at YSPH, she served as a teaching fellow for three professors across five courses, supporting more than 400 students. So, it is no wonder perhaps, that both students and faculty nominated Shi for this year’s Teaching Fellow Award. Students described Shi as hard working, dependable, and responsive. They also praised Shi’s awareness in the classroom and her ability to identify and support students who needed extra guidance on some of the more difficult assignments. Said one instructor, “Jessica Shi is an exceptional teaching fellow whose dedication, empathy, and instructional skill have profoundly impacted her students. Her commitment goes far beyond scheduled teaching hours. She consistently makes herself available to answer questions, clarify difficult concepts, and ensure that every student feels supported in their learning. Jessica demonstrates a rare blend of patience and precision in her teaching, adapting her approach to meet individual student needs. She frequently stays beyond her assigned time to provide one-on-one help, reflecting a deep sense of responsibility and compassion. Her unwavering support, coupled with her pedagogical excellence, has made her an indispensable part of the academic experience for many.”

Other nominees: Livia Cox, Mia Dicostanzo, Shankeri Vijayakumar, Sara Rodrigue, Casey Ma, Katerina Karaiskos, Tom Shin, Luming Yang, Emma Keeling, and Smriti Kumar.