Delta Omega Honorary Society
Recognizing Public Health Champions
About Us
The Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health was founded in 1924 at Johns Hopkins University within the School of Hygiene and Public Health (now known as the Bloomberg School of Public Health) by two graduate students, Dr. Edgar Erskine Hume, and Dr. Claude W. Mitchell. At the time, public health as a profession was still in its infancy and, prior to the establishment of university-based education in public health, entrance into the field had been largely through practical experience and political favor. To promote the graduate study of the field, Dr. Hume and Dr. Mitchell organized this honorary society in order to recognize outstanding achievement in the new field.
The society still honors the ideals that initially formed its foundation. Membership in Delta Omega reflects the dedication of an individual to increasing the quality of the field, as well as to the protection and advancement of the health of all people.
Alpha Nu Chapter
Alpha Nu is the chapter for the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health at the University of Arizona. Each chapter conducts the principal Delta Omega activities and manages the induction of new members. Currently, Delta Omega has expanded to more than 100 chapters at CEPH-accredited schools and programs and has more than 20,000 members. The Alpha Nu chapter has over 240 members.
240+
Members
33
States
10
Countries
How to Join Delta Omega
Members are inducted by chapters through a highly-selective process that assesses their outstanding performance and devotion to the field. To maintain the credibility of this prestigious society, chapters are limited in the number of members they may induct each year.
Learn more about the national guidelines for yearly inductions here.
Alumni Nomination Form
Alumni of a graduate program at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, or current members of Delta Omega's Alpha Nu chapter can nominate alumni using this form.
Alumni Nomination >Graduating Student Nomination Form
Students preparing to graduate from a graduate program at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health can express their interest in joining Delta Omega using this form, or can be nominated by a faculty member.
Graduating Student Nomination >Faculty Nomination Form
Faculty at the Zuckerman College of Public Health can express their interest in joining Delta Omega using this form, or be nominated by another faculty member or current member of Delta Omega's Alpha Nu chapter.
Faculty Nomination >FAQs
- Is there a cost to join Delta Omega?
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No, every nominee approved by the Delta Omega Executive Board will not have to pay the membership fee. The chapter pays for it.
- When are nominations due?
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Nominations are due generally a month or two before the end of the semester, and we induct students, faculty and alumni one time a year (at May commencement).
- Can you nominate yourself?
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Yes, all types of nominations are encouraged, including personal nominations.
- Who can be nominated?
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At this time the Alpha Nu chapter accepts nominations for graduate students, faculty, and alumni.
- Does Delta Omega host events?
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Yes, throughout the year Delta Omega hosts a variety of events including induction ceremonies and panel discussions.
Executive Board
Sean Clendaniel MPH '04, MBA '21
President
Sean is honored to live and work in beautiful Arizona. His passion and work focus on healthcare, education, technology, public health, and health transformation. He holds academic appointments and is actively involved with various Governing and Advisory Boards and Committees. Through this, he has many strong partnerships with healthcare, academic/ educational, public health, social service, workforce, economic, and community-based organizations across the region, state, and nation. He is a proud Northern Arizona University Lumberjack (BS) and University of Arizona Lumberjack (MPH and MBA).
Kirstin Lathrop '12, MPH '17, CAPM
Vice President
Kirstin graduated from the Public Health Practice program in May 2017. Her internship was with the Maricopa County Department of Public Health, specifically the Office of Preparedness and Response. During her time in the MPH program, she worked for the UA College of Medicine-Phoenix in the Center for Simulation and Innovation, where she still works remotely. Now, she lives in Washington State on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, where her husband is stationed for the US Army. They have a young son and a dog and enjoy walking together as a family.
Kirstin is looking forward to connecting with members of Delta Omega, whether it be for career advancement, an opportunity for resource sharing, or simply to get to know one another. It is her hope that as Delta Omega grows and evolves that she can help new and existing members know how to get involved and access shared information, as well as feel a sense of inclusion in this public health community.
John McElligott MPH '05, CPH
Director of Member Engagement
John is Executive Director of the Maricopa County Medical Society in Phoenix. He leads the group of physicians and is growing their connections with the public health community. John also serves on the National Board of Public Health Examiners, which oversees the CPH exam.
He will improve ways of highlighting members of Alpha Nu, grow a partnership with MEZCOPH leaders, and leverage resources from the national office of Delta Omega.
Michelle Gamber MPH '07, DrPH '12
Secretary
Michelle Gamber is the Founding Director of the graduate public health programs at Shenandoah University (SU). Prior to joining SU, she held a wide range of positions in global public health and development. She has served as a technical expert with at USAID and has also worked for several NGOs, private organizations, and other academic institutions supporting global health programming and research throughout the United States, Africa and Asia.
Michelle joined this year on the board of the Alpha Nu Chapter and is excited to help grow and add to the efforts of Delta Omega!
Contact Us
You can contact any member of our Executive Board at the following email:
deltaomega.alphanu@gmail.com
You can also join our LinkedIn page if you are a current member of our chapter:
linkedin.com/groups/13613929
