On May 8, 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Religion and Public Health Collaborative at Emory University held a graduation ceremony. Although we could not be together physically, we were able to have all our 2020 graduates on a Zoom call, along with faculty, friends, and family. Dr. Emmanuel Lartey wore and spoke about the meaning of the graduation stoles that our Religion and Health Certificate students will receive. This certificate is open to students in the Master’s of Public Health program at the Rollins School of Public Health, and to students in the Master’s of Divinity program at the Candler School of Theology.
Two interdisciplinary learners receiving their MPH degrees, Blessing Falade and Janice D’souza, spoke about their coursework and the close ties they had formed with faculty and other students in the program.
Two MPH students told us about their thesis work. Busola Akingbade conducted a systematic review of stigma surrounding reproductive health that is exacerbated by moral and faith-based values. Maddison Hall studied the World Relief Families for Life program in Burundi, focusing on this organization’s promotion of gender equality.
Three students, two from Rollins and one from Candler earned their certificates this year. Christine Cooper, MPH, spoke about her systematic review of interventions designed to reduce sexuality, abortion, contraception, and infertility stigma. Emily Rivers, MDiv, told us about her work on embodied theology entitled “hope for health”. Finally, Cecelia Jefferson, MDiv, spoke about the response of the Black Church to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The faculty of the Religion and Public Health Collaborative, John Blevins, Thomas Elliott, George Grant, Ellen Idler, Mimi Kiser, and Emmanuel Lartey congratulate our 2020 graduates on their accomplishments and wish them courage and resilience in their work in the years to come.