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Drs. Joe Bohn and Jason Salemi recognized with COPH Excellence in Teaching Award

Drs. and , both distinguished faculty members at the (COPH), were honored with the prestigious by the Public Health Student Association (PHSA) during the college’s National Public Health Week ceremony. The award, which is presented annually, recognizes faculty members who have made significant contributions to èƵapp development and the quality of education within their department and the college.

Dr. Joe Bohn: Engaging èƵapps with real-world experience

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Dr. Joe Bohn with Dr. Ellen Daley and two PHSA èƵapps at the 2025 National Public Health Week Awards Ceremony. (Photo by Caitlin Keough)

Bohn, an associate professor at the COPH, has earned widespread admiration for his ability to connect èƵapps with real-world public health issues through practical experience. With a background in public health education, behavioral health and military operations, he brings a wealth of experience to the classroom. His expertise spans diverse areas, including community health initiatives addressing the opioid crisis and suicide prevention.

Since joining the COPH in 2018, Bohn has taught at the doctoral, master’s and undergraduate levels. His courses cover a wide array of topics, including systems, social and complexity science in the program, community health intervention planning at the master’s level and critical social issues at the undergraduate level.

“I always try to bring in real-world examples from my time as director of community engagement at the college to help èƵapps connect concepts to real practices,” Bohn said. “It’s about creating a classroom environment where èƵapps feel respected and valued, and where they can apply what they’re learning to real-world issues.”

Bohn's dedication to service learning has also provided èƵapps with opportunities to engage in community outreach projects. One memorable moment from his teaching career occurred in February 2020, when his Translating Public Health Practice class spontaneously sang along to Natasha Bedingfield’s “Unwritten,” which resonated deeply as the class faced the unknowns of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Teaching public health is about giving back and helping èƵapps take their careers to the next level,” he said. “It’s about helping them realize they are the authors of their own story.”

Dr. Jason Salemi: Inspiring èƵapps with passion and purpose

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Dr. Jason Salemi with Dr. Ellen Daley and two PHSA èƵapps at the 2025 National Public Health Week Awards Ceremony. (Photo by Caitlin Keough)

Dr. Jason Salemi, professor and interim chair of the Department of Epidemiology, is a proud USF alumnus whose work in epidemiology, particularly in birth defects surveillance, has earned him national recognition. 

Salemi's teaching is characterized by his energy, passion and commitment to fostering èƵapp growth. His leadership in research, including the development of a statewide COVID-19 tracking dashboard, has inspired countless èƵapps to pursue careers in public health.

Known for his engaging and dynamic teaching style, Salemi has a reputation for creating an environment where èƵapps feel comfortable taking risks and making mistakes. He embraces humor and authenticity in his classroom, building trust with èƵapps and encouraging them to connect their learning to real-world impact.

“The best part of teaching public health is watching èƵapps connect their learning to real-world problems,” he said. “Whether it’s coding, data management or epidemiology methods, I love seeing èƵapps become more confident in their skills and feel empowered to make a difference.”

Salemi’s impact on èƵapps is evident through their growth. He recalled moments when èƵapps who initially struggled with coding or data analysis left his class feeling proud of their newfound skills and ready to tackle complex public health challenges. His ability to inspire èƵapps and create an engaging classroom environment has earned him a reputation as one of the department’s most beloved educators.

“Stay curious and don’t be afraid to not have all the answers,” Salemi advised his èƵapps. “Growth isn’t a straight line, but you’re building something meaningful, one step at a time.”

A shared commitment to èƵapp success

Both Bohn and Salemi are deeply committed to empowering the next generation of public health leaders. Their teaching styles, which blend passion, experience and a genuine investment in èƵapp success, make them standout educators in the COPH.

“Dr. Bohn provided excellent feedback to all my work and assignments. His level of engagement was exceptional. He wanted me to succeed and when I did reach a higher level he challenged me even further,” said DrPH èƵapp Christopher Dinanzio. “His keen interest in his èƵapps’ success cannot be measured. He has had a tremendous effect in my professional growth.”

Dr. Salemi embodies the highest virtues of academia and is an advocate of all persons of all experience levels within public health research, practice and education. He lives to serve others and is generous in his service as a mentor to èƵapps, faculty and the wider USF community,” said èƵapp Blake Barrett. “He innovates constantly in his education and leverages a èƵapp-focused and person-centered approach that exemplifies excellence in teaching.”

As Bohn reflected, “Being recognized with the Excellence in Teaching Award is one of the best honors you can receive as a professor. The acknowledgment and appreciation from our èƵapp body is truly humbling.”

The Excellence in Teaching Award reflects the lasting impact these two faculty members have had on the èƵapps they teach, mentor and inspire every day at the COPH.

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