As the Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington (SPH-B) proudly celebrates its 80th anniversary, this milestone year offers a particularly meaningful opportunity to recognize a few of the many outstanding alumni who have shaped the school’s legacy through their research, advocacy, leadership, and commitment to improving health for individuals and communities across the nation and world.
SPH-B’s Distinguished Alumni Awards ceremony is an annual celebration honoring exceptional alumni, with each award named in recognition of a former leader in the school’s history. As the school has evolved from the School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation (HPER) to today’s School of Public Health-Bloomington, generations of alumni have been an integral part of its story.
From advancing health equity and shaping public policy to improving youth health through physical activity and sport, this year’s recipients have made an impact across disciplines, communities, and sectors.
“Our alumni are the heartbeat of SPH-B and HPER out in the world, and the Distinguished Alumni Awards is our opportunity to say thank you and highlight their work. We are so grateful for all the ways our alumni make this world a better place,” says Missy Backs, Director of Alumni Relations.
2026 Distinguished Alumni Award recipients
Ashley Townes | Anita Aldrich Distinguished Alumni Award
The Anita Aldrich Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes career achievements that promote the success of girls and women in public health education and science.
An assistant professor at Texas Woman’s University, Townes has built her research career around Black women’s health, sexual health, HIV prevention, and equitable healthcare. Her 15-plus years in academia and public health have included work across local, state, and federal government, along with scholarship that has earned national and international attention.
Gina Forrest | David L. Gallahue Champion Alumni Award
Established to honor alumni who have made significant and sustained contributions to the advancement of health equities, the David L. Gallahue Champion Alumni Award recognizes Forrest’s career dedicated to health equity, inclusion, leadership, and community wellbeing.
Forrest has brought a public health perspective to higher education, Indiana’s judicial system, and healthcare. She served as the Indiana Supreme Court’s inaugural Chief Diversity Officer and today serves as Chief People Officer for Aspire Indiana Health, while continuing her longstanding commitment to teaching and mentorship.
Tuba Durgut | Tony A. Mobley International Distinguished Alumni Award
The Tony A. Mobley International Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes alumni who were international students and have demonstrated outstanding personal and professional achievements in fostering the broad missions of public health.
A pharmacist, public health expert, and two-term Member of Parliament in Türkiye, Durgut has helped advance tobacco control, addiction prevention, and obesity prevention, health communication, and social policy. Her work has influenced national policy and prevention efforts while extending to the protection of children and families, women’s leadership, and gender equality.
Rebecca Battista | W.W. Patty Distinguished Alumni Award
The school’s oldest alumni honor, the W.W. Patty Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes outstanding personal and professional achievement in fostering the wide-ranging missions of public health.
A professor of kinesiology and Director of the Office of Student Research at Appalachian State University, Battista has dedicated her career to youth fitness and physical activity. Her research translates evidence into practical strategies for increasing physical activity through motor skill development and evidence-based youth fitness assessment, complemented by national leadership in pediatric exercise medicine and physical activity.
Kyle Kercher | Mohammad R. Torabi Early Career Outstanding Alumni Award
The Mohammad R. Torabi Early Career Outstanding Alumni Award recognizes notable achievement in public health community outreach and engagement.
As assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology at SPH-B, Kercher, leads Hoosier Sport, where he uses sport as a vehicle to improve children’s health, physical activity, leadership, and positive youth development. His work brings research into schools and communities while creating meaningful opportunities for students to contribute to research, scholarship, and real-world public health practice.
Join us in celebrating
The 2026 Distinguished Alumni Awards ceremony will take place Thursday, October 1, at 6 p.m. in Presidents Hall at Franklin Hall, beginning with a cocktail reception followed by the awards presentation.
All are welcome to attend. Registration is required and includes a $25 registration fee. Register now and join us for the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Awards.
Learn more about the Awards, this year’s honorees, and past recipients at https://go.iu.edu/Ric82k.