(COPH) alumna Amy Artuso is the 2025 recipient of the , and was recognized in a ceremony during National Public Health week. Recipients of this award demonstrate an impact in public health in their respective area in leadership, research, teaching, service, or practice and it has led to improvements in the lives of others and will leave a lasting impact on lives touched.
Artuso (right) accepted her award presented by Dr. Ellen Daley (left), and Liz Bannon, the alumni officer for the COPH. (Phto courtesy of Caitlin Keough)
Originally from Holley, a small rural town in Western New York, Artuso grew up in a family with deep Italian American roots. At just 17, Artuso began her college career at the State University of New York College at Brockport. She later transferred to East Carolina University, where she earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in early childhood education with a focus on children in medical settings. A pivotal internship at Yale-New Haven Children鈥檚 Hospital and a subsequent fellowship solidified her passion for helping children and their families navigate complex medical experiences.
Initially working in pediatric emergency rooms and surgical units, Artuso witnessed firsthand the impacts of injuries on children and their families.
"I realized that preventing injuries before they happen is just as crucial as treating them afterward," Artuso said. "It became clear that my focus needed to shift to empowering families to keep their children safe."
So, Artuso said she transitioned from reactive care to proactive injury prevention, connecting families with critical resources like car seats, bicycle helmets and water safety information.
As a first-generation college student, Artuso has paid her own tuition since her undergraduate freshman year in 1991. Balancing full-time work with her academic pursuits, she often held more than one job at a time until an opportunity through her employers allowed her to earn her next degrees without financial debt.
鈥淚 was recruited to work at All Children鈥檚 Hospital in St. Petersburg, Fla.,鈥� she said. 鈥淎ll Children鈥檚 had a tuition assistance program and that opportunity led me to apply to the COPH. I have been a proud USF Bull ever since!鈥�
Artuso checks car seats at All Children鈥檚 Hospital. (Photo courtesy of Artuso)
"USF provided the perfect combination of offering the public health graduate degree I was looking for with course schedule offerings that allowed me to continue working full time while I earned my master鈥檚 degree," Artuso said.
鈥淚 graduated with my specializing in maternal and child health without financial debt in 2002.鈥�
The same remains true today as she pursues her with the support of her employer, the National Safety Council (NSC). Artuso is on track to graduate in December 2025.
Throughout her time at USF, Artuso found inspiration from numerous faculty members, including Drs. , Kay Perrin, , , and These mentors have guided her through both academic challenges and a significant personal battle 鈥� a stage 3 breast cancer diagnosis during her DrPH program. The unwavering support from her USF family has been a source of strength.
鈥淲hen I think about my favorite USF memories, one is the show of support I received from my professors and DrPH cohort friends,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey all coordinated to send me pictures of themselves wearing 鈥楢-Team鈥� t-shirts.鈥�
Members of Artuso鈥檚 cohort wore shirts that read 鈥淭he A Team, #StrongFierceUnited, in support of Artuso鈥檚 battle with cancer. (Picture courtesy of Artuso)
Artuso's[NP1] dedication to public health was recognized in 2023 when she was inducted into Delta Omega, the national honorary society for public health. Founded to encourage scholarship and research, Delta Omega acknowledges those who demonstrate excellence in the field of public health practice and academic achievement.
"The encouragement and understanding I received from the USF community kept me focused during some of my most difficult moments," Artuso said. "Their support was instrumental in helping me keep my eye on my goals."
Currently serving as the director of mobility safety programs in safety leadership and advocacy at the NSC, Artuso leads a team dedicated to preventing injuries across the lifespan.
She spearheads projects focused on child passenger safety, teen and adult driving safety and innovative approaches to address the needs of vulnerable road users. Her proudest achievement is the development and implementation of the National Digital Car Seat Check Form (NDCF), a groundbreaking technology and data collection tool that is transforming the field of injury prevention.
"Creating the NDCF was a labor of love," Artuso said. "Knowing that it's helping parents and caregivers keep their children safe is incredibly rewarding."
As she nears the completion of her DrPH degree, Artuso remains committed to her mission of preventing injuries and helping individuals live their fullest lives. She hopes to continue expanding her work at NSC, travel more with her husband and watch her four children thrive.
Fast Five
What did you dream of becoming when you were young?
A doctor
Where would we find you on the weekend?
Watching my children at one of their events, watching football or hockey with my husband and, until I graduate from the COPH for the second time, writing!
What is the last book you read?
Philippa Gregory Tidelands three-book Fairmile series
What superpower would you like to have?
To fly
What鈥檚 your all-time favorite movie?
It鈥檚 a tie between Rudy and Under the Tuscan Sun.