Amy Zuckerman, a longtime community advocate, photographer, and public health champion was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree by the University of Arizona at the Spring 2023 Commencement ceremony in recognition of her contributions to the university and public health. Amy’s parents, Mel and Enid, have been longtime supporters of the University of Arizona, especially the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health (MEZCOPH).

In addition to receiving the honorary degree, Amy spoke at the MEZCOPH’s Spring 2023 Convocation event to remember her father, Mel Zuckerman, who passed away on March 18, 2023 at the age of 94.  She shared her pride in the college her father helped to establish and in all the graduating students.

A catalyst for social change around public health, Amy is well-known for her work helping underserved communities in Tucson and beyond. She has served for many years on the boards of several Tucson organizations, including the Group for Photographic Intentions, the University of Arizona Center for Creative Photography, Arizona Arts Live, Therapeutic Riding of Tucson, The Loft Cinema and Tucson Values Teachers. For her work in photography, she has received grants from the Arizona Commission on the Arts and was also awarded a residency at the Yaddo artist's colony in Saratoga Springs, New York.  

An exhibit of Amy’s photographs, titled An Eye On Public Health, is displayed in the MEZCOPH office spaces and lobbies in Drachman Hall on the second and third floors. The photographs show people and communities around the world, images that reflect the global need for public health services.

Amy serves as co-chair of the Zuckerman Family Foundation, which supported the creation of a BA degree in wellness and health promotion practice at the Zuckerman College of Public Health. Inspired by the Zuckerman family's lifelong dedication to health and wellness, the degree was created to educate the next generation of wellness promoters, coaches, and innovators. Amy’s efforts also have been instrumental to the growth of the college’s Zuckerman Family Center for Prevention and Health Promotion, a hub of applied research and outreach programs focused on community wellness and disease prevention. Beyond the university, Amy has also provided support to Clínica Almas, a public health clinic in Álamos, Sonora, Mexico, that serves Indigenous communities that otherwise would not have access to health care services. 

“We are so grateful for Amy’s continuing commitment to the college and to public health programs,” says Dr. Iman Hakim, Dean of the Zuckerman College of Public Health. “She brings a unique perspective that builds on the legacy of her father and mother, Mel and Enid Zuckerman. I’m so proud that the university has recognized her longstanding service and support with this honorary degree. Thanks Amy for all that you do!”