Dr. Lynette Menezes was selected as one of two USF College of Public Health alumni to receive the 2022 Outstanding Alumni Award. Dr. Menezes is a Professor in the Division of Infectious Disease & International Medicine. She serves as the assistant vice president of international programs for USF Health as well as assistant dean of USF Medicine International.

Dr. Menezes joined the ID faculty in 2003. Since that time, she has played an essential role in the growth and success of international programs across USF Health. While leading these programs, she has contributed her epidemiology and public health expertise to international and local research projects. She co-founded and leads the Scholarly Concentration in International Medicine and mentors USF and international trainees in research and public health while acting as a role model for our trainees and junior faculty.

Dr. Menezes oversees more than 90 USF Health collaborations in 38 countries around the world. These collaborations have engaged international medical professionals and students in collaborative research, field experiences, clinical externships, observerships, and hospital administrator training. Under her leadership, over 1900 USF Health students have engaged in global learning, research, and clinical externships abroad and more than 580 international medical and administrative professionals have come to USF for training. Locally, Dr. Menezes has been engaged in expanding services for the homeless while advising the student-run Tampa Bay Street Medicine, and recently co-founded a refugee clinic to serve displaced populations.

During the COVID pandemic, Dr. Menezes has been a key member of the USF COVID-19 taskforce, which has drawn from expertise across the university to create a safe environment for USF students, faculty, and staff.

Dr. Menezes was honored with this award at the 2022 National Public Health Week Annual Awards Ceremony on April 6.