2025 Colorado School of Public Health Partners in Public Health: An Evening of Thanks
Written by Laura Alsum
Oct 10, 2025
On Wednesday, September 17, the Colorado School of Public Health (ColoradoSPH) welcomed over 100 guests to its annual celebratory event, held at the History Colorado Center in downtown Denver. The evening honored the transformative impact of philanthropy on public health education, research and community engagement, while commending the students, faculty and benefactors who make this work possible.
Allison Krebs, assistant vice chancellor in the Office of Advancement at CU Anschutz, opened the evening with a note of gratitude, emphasizing the life-changing power of philanthropy and the essential role of private support in shaping the future of ColoradoSPH.
Cathy Bradley, PhD, dean of ColoradoSPH, followed with reflections on the evening’s purpose. She spoke about the evolving challenges in public health and the bold leadership required to meet them. Dean Bradley highlighted how philanthropic investment is empowering students and faculty to rise to these challenges with innovation, compassion and resilience.
The first student speaker, Amy Nguyen, shared her personal journey into public health. As a child of Vietnamese immigrants, Nguyen often translated medical instructions for her grandparents. These experiences sparked her passion for systemic change. She spoke movingly about how scholarship support has given her peace of mind, opened doors to meaningful opportunities and affirmed her belief that her story matters.
Jini Puma, PhD, clinical associate professor and associate director of the Rocky Mountain Prevention Research Center, then took the stage to share how philanthropy has shaped her work in early childhood health and community-driven research. She described initiatives like the Culture of Wellness in Preschools program, the FREE program for Spanish-speaking caregivers and the Ambassadors for Literacy and Resiliency project — all made possible through benefactor support. Dr. Puma’s remarks illustrated the importance of prevention and the lasting impact of investing in Colorado’s youngest residents.
She then introduced Jill Norris, PhD, MPH, chair of the Department of Epidemiology and a nationally recognized leader in chronic disease research. Dr. Norris shared her journey as a faculty member and benefactor, reflecting on her decades-long career at CU and her personal connection to autoimmune disease research. She also spoke about the endowed scholarship she and her husband created to support students in autoimmune disease epidemiology, highlighting how philanthropy can be both a personal expression of gratitude and a powerful tool for advancing public health.
The evening continued with remarks from student Kaitlyn Friedman, who shared her global journey in public health — from research in Tanzania to work with the World Health Organization and the CDC Foundation. She spoke passionately about her focus on injury and violence prevention, and she noted that her scholarship has enabled her to pursue meaningful research and contribute to safer communities across Colorado and beyond.
Dean Bradley closed the evening with a message of hope and appreciation. She thanked all speakers and guests for their commitment to public health and reminded attendees that philanthropy is not just a source of support but also a source of transformation. Together, the ColoradoSPH community is building a healthier, more equitable future for all.
