Each year the University of Washington School of Public Health celebrates members of the SPH community for their dedication, service, and many contributions to public health. Recipients from the Department of Health Systems and Population Health for 2025 are:
Outstanding Staff
Emily Batlan, MHIHIM
Emily Batlan is the Graduate Program and Career Advisor for our MHIHIM program. She has been instrumental in developing innovative resources that enhance student preparation for academic and professional success. She has created a comprehensive career advising framework in Canvas that addresses the unique challenges faced by health informatics professionals in today’s complex healthcare environment. She facilitates meaningful connections between students, faculty, alumni, and industry partners through thoughtfully designed networking events, mentorship programs, and professional development programming. The MHIHIM program’s outstanding retention rates, career placement statistics, and glowing alumni feedback can be directly attributed to Emily’s exceptional contributions.
Outstanding Undergraduate Student
Sukhman Dhillon, HIHIM
Sukhman Dhillon is from the Eastside, and is a self-defined Husky through and through. During their time at UW, they’ve been incredibly passionate about integrating technology with healthcare to improve patient outcomes and streamline operations. As they move forward, they are excited to continue learning and contribute to the transformation of healthcare through technology by beginning their graduate studies in Information Management at UW this coming fall. Outside of academics, they love listening to music, playing, reffing, or watching soccer, and going on walks near Lake Washington.
Outstanding Master’s Students
Vincent Da, MHA
Vincent “Vinnie” Da exemplifies excellence in healthcare leadership through exceptional academic work and community impact. His insights at the intersection of healthcare administration, health equity, and public policy have distinguished him in the MHA program. Vincent’s leadership in national case competitions, including a second-place finish at the SloanCornell Competition, showcases his empathetic understanding of mental health access for underserved youth. His experience at the Washington State Department of Health during COVID-19 and MultiCare’s equity initiatives demonstrates his ability to translate policy into meaningful change. As a mentor and 2025 Husky 100 recipient, Vincent leads not only by example but by ensuring others feel heard, valued, and equipped to succeed.
Maleah Nore, HSPop MPH
Maleah Nore is a tribal public health contractor and a recent MPH graduate from the Department of Health Systems and Population Health. Maleah has worked on grassroots and non-profit projects relating to the prevention of child abuse, domestic violence, and suicide in tribal communities for over 7 years. With her MPH, she is ready to nurture a lifelong career helping tribal communities return to traditional ways of love and resilience.
GILBERT S. OMENN AWARD FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE: DOCTORAL STUDENT
Taylor Rapson, Health Services PhD
Taylor Rapson, MPH (she/her), will graduate from the Health Services Doctoral program. Her research during her tenure at UW centers on quality improvement in HIV services and digital equity in non-profit practices and safety-net health systems. Her dissertation examines barriers to digital health technology use, evaluates the impact of digital training on reducing disparities, and assesses associations between digital health technology use and health outcomes. Committed to advancing equity in health service delivery, particularly in safety-net and nonprofit settings serving marginalized populations, Taylor will pursue a practice-based research fellowship embedded in an integrated safety-net health system after graduating.
Congratulations to all awardees!
To view the entire list of all School of Public Health Excellence Award recipients, please visit the SPH website.