Matthew Lee Girvin Award
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This award honors the memory of Matthew Girvin, '94 MPH IH, who died in January 2001 while serving on a United Nations surveying mission. The award is presented to a recent graduate of the Rollins School of Public Health who exemplifies Matthew's selfless dedication to the field of public health and who has made significant contributions toward improving the lives and health of others. |
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The 2011-2012 Matthew Lee Girvin Award was presented to
Ms. Rosemarie Kobau, 86OX 88C 00PH
| Rosemarie Kobau’s contributions in health policy and research to improve the lives and well-being of those diagnosed with epilepsy are attained by few others so early in their careers. After receiving her degree from the Rollins School of Public Health in 2000, Rosemarie began her career as a research fellow within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) working on activities related to quality of life research and a new epilepsy program. In 2002, she accepted her current position of Public Health Advisor and Acting Team Lead of with the Health-Related Quality of Life and Epilepsy Programs. While Rosemarie’s role as Public Health Advisor at the CDC is not unique, the impact that she is having on the communities she serves is. Shortly after settling in to her position, Rosemarie set to work to broaden epilepsy research beyond cause and cure toward understanding how people with epilepsy deal with living with seizures and the impact on their lives. Drawing on the successes of those in the chronic illness field in creating both preventive and intervention programs to improve quality of life, Rosemarie lobbied for the CDC Epilepsy Program to begin funding those researchers conducting studies related to epilepsy self-management. Today, after five years of funding, there are three CDC funded national self-management programs and three more in testing. Seeing an opportunity for better collaboration among researchers, Rosemarie also created the Managing Epilepsy Well (MEW) Network which consists of researchers from throughout the U.S. working together to explore ways to help people with epilepsy live well. The Network includes members who have conducted research in related areas, such as disability and asthma self-management, and are now bringing their skills to the study of epilepsy. Rosemarie’s leadership can be seen across multiple initiatives within the CDC and her impact felt throughout the larger epilepsy community. Outside of her work day, Rosemarie volunteers her time at the Emergency Operations Center mental health desk, plans workshops for epilepsy advocates, and is a member of the GA Epilepsy Foundation Board and of the National Epilepsy Foundation Board. |
Past Recipients
- 2010 - Melissa Creary, '04 MPH
2009 - Alison L. Smith, '05 MPH
2008 - Rebecca Vander Meulen, '03 MPH - 2007 - Leisel Talley, '00 MPH
- 2006 - Cheryll J. Cardinez, ’99 MSPH
- 2005 - David A. Bray, '04 MSPH
- 2004 - Chanda Mobley '96 MPH
- 2003 - Lyrna Siklóssy '97 MPH
- 2002 - Aun Lor '97 MPH
CRITERIA FOR SELECTION:
- The individual shall be a recent graduate of RSPH and will have made an outstanding contribution to public health at a community, state, national, or international level,
- The contribution(s) should have been made subsequent to receiving the degree from Rollins School of Public Health, and
NOMINATION PROCEDURE:
Please download, complete, and return the Award Nomination Form.
All nominations are confidential and will be considered for three years, unless otherwise indicated by the nominee. In so doing, the committee will contact the nominee to update the application.
For more information, please contact:
Michelle James
Director, Alumni & Constituent Relations
Rollins School of Public Health
1518 Clifton Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30322
Tel: (404) 727-4740
Fax: (404) 727-9853
Email: alumni@sph.emory.edu