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Samuel Merritt University Health Impact Awards 2025

Our University’s Most Prestigious Awards

To see our list of award recipients and photos of the evening, scroll down on this page. 

We cannot wait to welcome you back next time to continue this important tradition. Thank you for being part of the success of the first Health Impact Awards, and for joining us in recognizing those who are driving positive change in healthcare.

About the Awards 

Launched in 2023, the SMU Health Impact Awards program honors exemplary SMU alumni, friends, and students who have made significant contributions to health sciences or healthcare by virtue of their professional activities and/or community service, or who have demonstrated exceptional promise for outstanding future achievements. Through their individual accomplishments and merits, the awardees bring enduring distinction to the University. 

Recipients are selected by the SMU president following recommendations from a committee selected to represent the diversity of the University, to include the deans of the Colleges of Health Sciences, Nursing, and Podiatric Medicine or their designees, as well as faculty, staff, alumni, and student representatives. Recipients are required to attend the SMU Health Impact Awards recognition event, where possible. Any posthumous recognition must be approved in advance by the recipient’s family. 

Please direct any questions to University Advancement at alumniaffairs@samuelmerritt.edu . 

 

 

Health Impact Award Recipients 2025

- Click the dropdown arrow next to each awardee's name to see their short biography.

 

Distinguished Alumni Award
David G. Armstrong, DPM ’93, PhD, MD, MSc
Albertha “Jenny” Richardson, BSN ’87, DHA, MBA

 

Innovative Leadership Award
Jon Hultman, DPM ’70, MBA

 

Outstanding Service Award
Shelitha Campbell, DNP, MSN, BSN, APRN, FNP-BC, PHN, HMCT
John F. Simmons, Jr., MD
Mohammad Deen, MSN ’18


 
Recent Graduate Impact Award
Jasmine Thorpe, OTD ’23

 

Spirit of SMU Award
Jason Lau, DPT ’25 (College of Health Sciences)
Ava Roberts-Stewart, BSN ’25 (College of Nursing)

 

Distinguished Friend of the University
Jane Garcia, CEO, La Clínica de la Raza



 

Event Sponsorship Recognition 2025

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