Teaching Academy

Again and again, Dr. Marina Catallozzi’s students extol her effective instruction, dedication to learning, and commitment to excellent teaching. Her students note not only her extensive support, even after the course has ended, but also the way that her empathy as a clinician and researcher translates to through in the classroom. One student wrote, “I appreciated how much she tried to connect the content to our professional goals as public health practitioners.” Dr. Catallozzi holds a dual appointment in the Department of Pediatrics at the College of Physicians & Surgeons and the Heilbrunn Department of Population & Family Health at the Mailman School.  She is a currently the Co-Director for the Sexuality and Reproductive Health Track at the Mailman School, the Medical Director of the Lang Youth Medical Program of New York Presbyterian Hospital, an Adolescent Sexuality and Reproductive Health researcher, and a practicing Adolescent Medicine physician in the Division of Child and Adolescent Health.

As a professor in Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health and with over 25 years of experience in the classroom, Linda Cushman teaches with a student-centered philosophy because "students learn best by doing, and having an active role in their own learning." An extremely popular teacher, she has received kudos from students across Mailman departments, and those in other schools at the medical center actively seek the rare vacancy in her classes. Dr. Cushman is a former recipient of the Dean's Award for Innovation in the Curriculum and the Mailman School Award for Teaching Excellence. In April 2010 she was the recipient of the University Presidential Award for Outstanding Teaching.

Dr. Robert Fullilove is the first three time winner of the Mailman School Teaching Excellence Award. Dr. Bob, as students refer to him, brings his extensive experience in researching HIV/AIDs, minority health issues, substance abuse and addiction into the classroom. “Not only does he have a wealth of experience to share, but he creates an open energetic environment within the class so that shared thoughts and the development of new ideas is an intrinsic part of the dialogue.”  Dr. Fullilove’s regular course offerings are Race and Health (P8750), Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (P6732), and Evaluation of Health Programs (P8705).

Dr. Peter Muennig serves as an associate professor in the Health Policy and Management Department. He has been award the ASPH/Pfizer Early Career in Public Health Teaching Award and holds honors from the Academy of Distinguished Teachers. A prolific author of more than 70 research articles and two textbooks, Dr. Muennig’s work contributes greatly to the high quality of education at the Mailman School.

Martina Pavlicova is a professor in the Biostatistics Department. Over the years, her outstanding teaching and dedication to students have been recognized by the Glenda Garvey Teaching Academy and by the School with the Early Career Teaching Award. As one student noted in a course evaluation: "Dr. Pavlicova not only taught me stats, but helped me find my internal love for it. I didn't just learn information for a test or a homework, I truly understand the information and found myself thinking about it outside of class and applying it in other classes."

Sharon Schwartz, Professor of Clinical Epidemiology, is an alumna of the Mailman School of Public Health, having received both her master’s and doctoral degrees from Columbia University. Time and again, Professor Schwartz’s students praise her instructional abilities, and her courses are a highlight for many graduates. One student remarks that studying with her was “by far among the most thought-provoking and worthwhile [course] I have taken through my academic tenure.” Another, commenting on her dedication to students, notes that “her enthusiasm and dedication to each student is apparent in every aspect of her course. Dr. Schwartz deserves the highest of accolades.”  Dr. Schwartz is a two-time recipient of the Mailman Teaching Excellence Award; in 2000 she received Columbia University's prestigious Presidential Teaching Award.

Mary Beth Terry holds a PhD from Columbia University and teaches in the Epidemiology Department and in the Medical School through various Columbia Translational Science Award programs. She is also an affiliate of several organizations, including the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, the NIEHS Center for Environmental Health in Northern Manhattan, the American Association for Cancer Research, and the American Society for Preventive Oncology.