Alumni Spotlights
Aggies Making an Impact in Public Health
Texas A&M School of Public Health alumna Manisha Salinas, PhD ’17, has built a career dedicated to addressing health disparities—particularly in underserved communities and cancer care—and is now joining the Mayo Clinic faculty to continue advancing health equity through research, outreach, and education.
Texas A&M School of Public Health graduate Maj. Douglas Ruhl helped lead the development of the COVID-19 Airway Management Isolation Chamber, a low-cost device designed to protect health care workers from airborne viruses while enabling safer treatment options for patients.
Texas A&M School of Public Health graduate Martha Conkling, PhD, now strategic information chief for the CDC in Lesotho, is leading efforts to track, prevent, and control HIV transmission in one of the world’s highest-prevalence countries by improving data systems, promoting treatment adherence, and guiding targeted prevention programs.
Texas A&M School of Public Health graduate Jill Jahns spent eight months in rural Tanzania leading a 2Seeds Network project that taught residents of Kijungumoto beekeeping and home gardening to boost income security, applying her public health training to overcome challenges like inconsistent water supply and build sustainable community businesses.
Texas A&M School of Public Health alum Crystal Perez, honored as one of twelve students depicted in the Kyle Field “saw-em-off” statue, is a former Corps of Cadets member now pursuing a PhD in public health with a focus on obesity, nutrition access, and the impact of federal policies on community health.
Julie St. John, DrPH, MPH ’03, a Texas A&M School of Public Health alum and current TTUHSC assistant professor and associate department chair, was honored with the President’s Excellence in Community Engagement Award for her extensive work in community health development, research, and education.
Texas A&M School of Public Health alum Amy Elizondo, MPH ’02, now vice president of program services for the National Rural Health Association, has built a career in Washington, D.C., advancing rural health care through policy, training initiatives, and advocacy programs that improve access and services for underserved communities nationwide.
Texas A&M School of Public Health alum Aja Ladson, MPH ’09, now senior vice president of QHS&E Compliance at CBRE, has built a global career in environmental health and safety driven by a passion for protecting workers, advancing diversity in leadership, and breaking barriers on her path toward becoming a Fortune 500 CEO.
Texas A&M School of Public Health alum Andrea J. Boudreaux, PsyD, MPH, FACHE, executive director of Children’s School Services at Children’s National Hospital, was named a 2022 Modern Healthcare Diversity Leader to Watch for her leadership in improving health outcomes for underserved children in Washington, D.C., and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in health care.
Texas A&M School of Public Health alumna Lt. Col. Brenda D. Bustillos, DrPH, RDN, inspired by 9/11 to join the U.S. Army, has built a 16-year military career as a dietitian and leader in soldier performance, soon to serve as the Army’s director of nutritional readiness while continuing to champion public health and her Aggie roots.
Texas A&M School of Public Health alumna and adjunct professor Shannon Butkus ’18, PhD, a speech pathologist and health care executive, has been appointed to the American Medical Association’s Health Care Professionals Advisory Committee to help set Medicare reimbursement rates, leveraging her expertise in healthcare economics, clinical practice, and advocacy to influence fair compensation across medical specialties.
