The Tulane Alumni Association Alumni Awards Gala is one of the highlights of the year, when we recognize some of our best and brightest for their achievements and their devotion to their alma mater. Up until now, however, attendance at the gala has been limited to a small group of Tulane administrators, the honorees and their families.
Tulane University and the Tulane Alumni Association are inviting the entire alumni community to join them for this special event, which will be broadcast from The National WWII Museum.
We hope you will join us in celebrating the accomplishments of these extraordinary Tulanians. You may register online to be a part of the celebratory evening.
The virtual event will stream from the New Orleans WWII Museum and feature Tulane President Mike Fitts, Tulane Alumni Association President Chris Ralston (L *99), Dean of the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine and Weatherhead Presidential Chair in Health Equity Thomas LaVeist, Senior Vice President and Dean of Tulane University School of Medicine and the James R. Doty Distinguished Professor and Chair Lee Hamm, Assistant Vice President for Intercultural Life in the Division of Student Affairs Carolyn Barber-Pierre, and Tulane Alumni Association past President Erica Washington (PHTM *09) as presenters.
This year’s list of award-winners includes:
-
Receiving the Distinguished Alumni Award — General David H. Berger (E ’81), commandant of the United States Marine Corps. Berger has commanded at every level including a Reconnaissance Company; 3d Battalion, 8th Marines in Haiti during Operation Secure Tomorrow; Regimental Combat Team 8 in Fallujah, and in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
- Receiving the Lisa Jackson Professional Achievement Award — Dr. Karen DeSalvo (M *92, PHTM *92, R *94, R *96), chief health officer at Google Health. Prior to her time at Google, she served as the U.S. Acting Assistant Secretary for Health, National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, and Director of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology.
-
Receiving the Bobby Boudreau Spirit Award — Robert (B ’81, B *83) and Jennifer Kottler (NC ’83, B *84). Bob is a banker with IBERIABANK. Jenny was a conference planner for most of her career. You can find Bob and Jenny at Homecoming every year, at Tulane athletic events, hosting students at their home and helping students network their way to internships and jobs.
- Receiving the Tulane Medical Alumni Association Outstanding Alumni Award — Dr. Oliver Sartor (M *82, R *86). A renowned cancer researcher, Dr. Sartor is currently the assistant dean for oncology at Tulane University School of Medicine, medical director of the Tulane Cancer Center and the C. E. and Bernandine Laborde Professor for Cancer Research, with appointments in both the medicine and urology departments.
- Receiving the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine Outstanding Alumni Award — Maurice “Mel” Lagarde III (A&S ’79, PHTM *82), president and chief executive officer of HCA MidAmerica Division. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Lagarde’s leadership and HCA Healthcare’s support and response, helped patients, caregivers, physicians, administrators and the Tulane University Hospital and Clinic recover.
- Receiving the Scott Cowen Service Award — Dr. D. Melessa Phillips (NC ’69, M *73), president of the international consulting firm Global Family Medicine, PLLC, and the immediate past chief medical officer of the UnitedHealthcare of Mississippi Medicaid Health Plan.
- Receiving the International Award for Exceptional Achievement — Motez A. Bishara (B *95) journalist and former visiting professor of news writing at the Gulf University for Science and Technology in Kuwait.
- Receiving the Robert V. Tessaro Young Alumni Volunteer Award — Stephanie A. Quintero (B ’12, B *12), a senior tax consultant at Deloitte focusing on multistate tax issues, financial services and private equity.
Additionally, the Tulane 34 awards will be presented to both the Class of 2020 and 2021 at the gala. The award recognized 34 graduates who have distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate lives at Tulane.