School of Public Health

SPH Welcomes Alumni for Inaugural Speakers Series

Thursday, 29 October 2026

The University of Memphis School of Public Health hosted its inaugural Alumni Luncheon Speakers Series on October 29, bringing three accomplished graduates back to campus to speak with students, fellow alumni, faculty and staff about turning a public health education into real-world impact. The session, titled "Translating Education into Impact: Modern Careers in Public Health," took place in the University Center Bluff Room and was also streamed to students online.

The panel featured Andrea Stubbs, PhD, Director of the HPV Cancer Prevention Program and Assistant Director of Community Outreach and Engagement at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital; Lia Lansky, MS, MHA, Chief Wellness Officer at Baptist Memorial Health Care; and Rachel Barenie, PharmD, JD, MPH, Associate Professor and Director of Academic Operations and Compliance at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy.

Drawing on questions submitted in advance by students, the panelists shared how mentorship, unexpected opportunities and long-term commitment shaped their careers, and what they had to learn on the job. They urged students to build demonstrable skills through internships, fellowships and projects; to stay curious and keep thinking critically rather than defaulting to "we've always done it this way"; and to watch the shift in health care from reactive "sick care" to prevention. Lansky reported that 93 percent of participants in Baptist's employee wellness program had an annual wellness visit last year.

Panelists also named the challenges that concern them most, including funding and policy changes, declining vaccination uptake and the difficulty of turning public health knowledge into lasting behavior change.

"We look at the evidence, we lead with the evidence," said Dr. Stubbs, describing how she addresses misinformation and vaccine hesitancy.

"Every law I teach is ultimately to promote public health," said Dr. Barenie.

The alumni also invited students to reach out for advice, internships and coffee conversations. "It's our time to give back," Lia Lansky said.

The Alumni Luncheon Speakers Series is intended to connect current students with graduates working across public health and health care administration fields. The School of Public Health would like to thank our SPH alumni for taking the time to share their experiences with our students, faculty and staff.

(L-R) Alumni panelists: Andrea Stubbs, PhD; Rachel Barenie, PharmD, JD, MPH and Lia Lansky, MS, MHA address SPH faculty, staff and students

SPH Alumni with faculty, staff and students

Andrea Stubbs, PhD speaks with current SPH student

Andrea Stubbs, PhD speaks with current SPH studen

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The Office of Communications at The University of Memphis School of Public Health