On April 2nd, leaders from across healthcare, education and community organizations will gather at the Oakland Rotunda Building for Samuel Merritt University’s 2026 Health Impact Awards, an annual celebration of the people and organizations helping shape healthier communities.

The Health Impact Awards are SMU’s most prestigious recognition, celebrating students, faculty, alumni, partners and supporters whose contributions are making a tangible impact in healthcare and how it is delivered and experienced.

This year, SMU will honor Oakland native, Super Bowl champion and philanthropist Marshawn Lynch as a Distinguished Friend of the University, alongside Julia Liou, MPH, CEO of Asian Health Services.

Lynch has spent years investing in the Oakland community that shaped him. Through his Fam 1st Family Foundation, he mentors underserved youth, hosts free football camps, supports scholarships, and creates opportunities for young people facing limited resources. He has also helped push forward conversations around mental and emotional wellbeing, encouraging athletes and young people to prioritize holistic health. His work reflects the critical role community leaders play in addressing the upstream drivers of health, including opportunity, stability and access to supportive resources.

“For over two decades, Marshawn Lynch has been committed to physical, mental and emotional wellbeing through community empowerment advocacy. His work underscores the how social determinants influence holistic long-term health and closely aligns with the mission and values of SMU,” said Provost Brian Clocksin who holds a PhD in Kinesiology and Exercise Science.

CEO of Asian Health Services, Julia Liou, will be honored alongside Lynch as a Distinguished Friend of the University. Ms. Liou has led strategic fund development initiatives, pioneered patient and community advocacy campaigns, spearheaded statewide coalitions on health equity and worker health, as well as regional and local initiatives; including the Revive Chinatown Campaign, California Healthy Nail Salon Collaborative, and California AA&NHPI Health Equity Coalition.

“Through her unwavering commitment to advancing health equity in the communities we collectively serve Julia Liou embodies the spirit of SMU,” explains Ching-Hua Wang, MD, PhD, president and CEO of Samuel Merritt University. “Ms. Liou’s dedication to culturally responsive care and community partnership reflect the values at the heart of our mission and serves as an inspiring model for our students and alumni.

“The Health Impact Awards recognize leaders who are expanding opportunities and transforming care in our communities. At SMU, we are proud to prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals who will serve diverse populations and advance health equity across California and beyond,” continued Wang.

Distinguished Alumni Award
Mia Kelly, ASN ’82, BSN, MSN
Jeffrey DeSantis, DPM ’90

Innovative Leadership Award
Alvin McLean Jr., PhD, SMU Board of Regents Past President

Outstanding Service Award
Paulina Van, PhD, RN, CNE, HMCT, FADLN, FAAN, SMU Professor Emeritus

Recent Graduate Impact Award
Lemuel “Pete” Haynes Jr., ELMSN-FNP ’23, DNP ’24, MHA ’27

Spirit of SMU Award
Corina Aguilar, ELMSN-CM ’25
Julia Golub, MOT ’26
Madeleine Nagle, DPM ’28

Held in downtown Oakland, the Health Impact Awards highlight SMU’s growing role in strengthening the region’s healthcare workforce and deepening partnerships across the Bay Area. The celebration builds on the momentum of the recent grand opening of SMU Oakland located at City Center.

To learn more or register for the Health Impact Awards, visit: smu.pub/HIAregistration

About Samuel Merritt University

Since 1909, Samuel Merritt University (SMU) has been a leader in healthcare education, preparing students to meet critical workforce needs across California. With campuses in Oakland, Sacramento, San Francisco Peninsula and Fresno, SMU has continually expanded its impact, becoming a doctoral-granting institution in 2002. In 2024, SMU opened its Fresno campus to address Central Valley healthcare challenges. In 2026, SMU opened its new Oakland campus located downtown and its new San Francisco Peninsula campus to support hands-on training for future healthcare professionals.

To learn more about programs and admissions, visit www.samuelmerritt.edu.

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