Rhonda BeLue, Seven Others Inducted Into Alpha Delta Chapter of Public Health Honor Society

Rhonda BeLue, Ph.D., and seven new inductees: Matthew Ellis, Edward Ignaczak, Dana Kelsey, Morgan LeBaige, Jerik Leung, Ashish Shrestha and Megan Schultz, have been named the newest members of Delta Omega - the honor society in public health - Alpha Delta Chapter.

Dr. BeLue is recognized for her contributions to understanding health inequities locally and globally, as well as for her leadership in working with community-based organizations in St. Louis and within the College for Public Health and Social Justice during these unprecedented times.

Dr. BeLue and students were nominated for the Alpha Delta Chapter by program faculty and peers and had to meet three criteria for induction: academic excellence, demonstration of clear potential for leadership, and a commitment to assuring the health of all people. The Alpha Delta Chapter is Saint Louis University's chapter of Delta Omega.

Delta Omega has been in existence for more than 90 years and was formed to recognize excellence in what was then a new profession. As public health has grown and schools of public health have become more numerous, membership in Delta Omega has, likewise, grown to the thousands.

We have confidence that the new inductees will continue to represent the profession and the College for Public Health and Social Justice with distinction.

About Delta Omega

The Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health was founded in 1924 at Johns Hopkins University within the School of Hygiene and Public Health (now known as the Bloomberg School of Public Health) by two graduate students, Dr. Edgar Erskine Hume and Dr. Claude W. Mitchell. At the time, public health as a profession was still in its infancy and, prior to the establishment of university-based education in public health, entrance into the field had been largely through practical experience and political favor. To promote the graduate study of the field, Dr. Hume and Dr. Mitchell organized this honorary society in order to recognize outstanding achievement in the new field.

College for Public Health and Social Justice

The Saint Louis University College for Public Health and Social Justice is the only academic unit of its kind, studying social, environmental and physical influences that together determine the health and well-being of people and communities. It also is the only accredited school or college of public health among nearly 250 Catholic institutions of higher education in the United States.

Guided by a mission of social justice and focus on finding innovative and collaborative solutions for complex health problems, the College offers nationally recognized programs in public health, social work, health administration, applied behavior analysis, and criminology and criminal justice.