Rutgers School of Public Health Dean’s Leadership Council Members Inducted into Rutgers Hall of Distinguished Alumni
Gloria A. Bachmann NCAS’70, RWJMS’72, is an internationally recognized physician and a true trailblazer. After earning her bachelor’s in biology and chemistry at Rutgers–Newark and her master’s in medical science at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (RWJMS), she was among the first women to complete a four-year obstetrics and gynecology residency at the University of Pennsylvania. Winner of the RWJMS Meritorious Service Award in 2018, she has been a Rutgers faculty member since 1978 and is now an associate dean and co-director of the school’s Women’s Health Institute. She serves on the Rutgers University Senate and previously served on the Rutgers Board of Trustees.
Since my arrival at the Rutgers School of Public Health eight and a half years ago, Dr. Bachmann and Dr. Dougherty have been extraordinary colleagues, staunch supporters of our school and its mission, and unwavering advocates for the well-being of all the populations with whom we work.
Perry N. Halkitis
Dean, Rutgers School of Public Health
James F. Dougherty RC’74, GSNB’75, who earned a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences at Rutgers College and a master’s in animal science at Rutgers–New Brunswick, is a retired veterinarian who has generously supported the university. Cofounder of Metropolitan Veterinary Associates in Norristown, Pennsylvania, he was awarded the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association’s 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award. He has served on many Rutgers committees and is vice chair of the Board of Governors. As chair of the Board of Trustees, he was instrumental in establishing the Scarlet Promise Initiative. His gifts support the Rutgers–New Brunswick Honors College, the Honors College LGBTQ+ Learning Collaborative, and the Perry N. Halkitis Endowed Chair in LGBTQ+ Public Health.
Both Bachmann and Dougherty are members of the Rutgers School of Public Health’s Dean’s Leadership Council, which provides vision and support for the school.
“These exceptional alumni have made tremendous strides in their fields, and the world is a better place because of their courage and creativity,” says Rutgers President William F. Tate IV. “They are shining examples of the Rutgers edge, serving with empathy and achieving success in helping our communities in New Jersey and beyond to flourish.”
“Since my arrival at the Rutgers School of Public Health eight and a half years ago, Dr. Bachmann and Dr. Dougherty have been extraordinary colleagues, staunch supporters of our school and its mission, and unwavering advocates for the well-being of all the populations with whom we work,” says Perry N. Halkitis, Dean of the Rutgers School of Public Health. “They have given tirelessly to our Dean’s Leadership Council, collaborated closely with me on the development of our Rutgers LGBTQ Institute, and continuously demonstrated their deep commitment to advancing health equity. Not a moment goes by when I am not profoundly grateful to have them in my life.”
Rutgers University Foundation President Kimberly A. Hopely says the inductees have been devoted champions of their alma mater. “The tireless and generous efforts of this new class of inductees into the Rutgers Hall of Distinguished Alumni are truly inspiring,” Hopely says. “They have been selfless supporters of the university who have always stepped up to continue to help us make this great university even better.”
Introduced in 1987, the Rutgers Hall of Distinguished Alumni’s first class of inductees included Paul Robeson and two Nobel Prize winners—economist Milton Friedman and scientist Selman Waksman. Since then, more than 250 alumni have been inducted, including five former New Jersey governors, Emmy Award-winning actor Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Carli Lloyd, a professional soccer star who led the U.S. team to two Olympic gold medals. Inductees are selected by the RUAA Board of Directors, which presides over an association of 615,000 Rutgers alumni worldwide.
“Our Rutgers alumni body—all of whom belong to the RUAA—is a vast and talented community that spans the state of New Jersey, the nation, and the world,” says Talib Morgan NCAS’96, RBSG’98, chair of the RUAA. “The Hall of Distinguished Alumni is a wonderful annual celebration that honors extraordinary graduates who represent the rich history of the Rutgers experience by demonstrating exceptional passion and pride in everything they do.”
In addition to Bachmann and Dougherty, three others were also inducted. Learn more about all of the inductees here.
The inductees will be honored and formally welcomed into the Hall of Distinguished Alumni in a ceremony at Park Chateau in East Brunswick. Tickets for the ceremony will be available in January. For more information on the award and past recipients, please visit hda.rutgers.edu.
