For Dr. Anita Silwal, public health research is about more than data and publications — it is about creating meaningful change in communities facing some of today’s most urgent health challenges.

Silwal, an assistant professor in Oklahoma State University’s School of Community Health Sciences, Counseling and Counseling Psychology, recently received the American Public Health Association’s Champion of Change Award, a $5,000 honor recognizing leaders whose work is making a measurable impact in public health.

The award will support her continued research on adverse childhood experiences, suicide prevention and overdose prevention.

“To be honest, I was not expecting it,” Silwal said. “When I applied, I thought about how a lot of the past awardees I saw were [public health] professionals rather than researchers.

“So, I thought I was in a unique position because I have a robust community engagement and professional experience, in addition to my research expertise."

According to Dr. DJ McMaughan, interim HCCP school head, the award reflects both Silwal’s dedication to research and her commitment to improving lives through collaboration and community engagement.

“The name of the award says it all when you think about who Dr. Silwal is,” McMaughan said. “She is a driven, energetic public health scholar who constantly strives to make the world a better place.

“Everything she does — her research, her mentorship, her community partnerships — is oriented toward meaningful, lasting change. She is a champion of change.”

In addition to teaching undergraduate and graduate public health courses such as Public Health Communication and Program Design, Silwal coordinates both the undergraduate and graduate public health programs within the school. Silwal’s work extends far beyond campus, as she actively mentors student researchers and builds relationships with external organizations to create valuable learning opportunities for students.

“She works closely with student researchers at both levels and is really intentional about building relationships with external partners to make sure our students have rich, meaningful experiences outside the classroom,” McMaughan said.

Silwal’s research focuses on the intersection of public health, health communication and implementation science. Her work addresses major public health concerns, including substance use, opioid overdose prevention and suicide prevention.

“When thinking about college populations, freshmen [students] face different challenges than seniors.

“Seniors experience a different kind of challenge because they’re now outgoing. They have fears, stress and anxiety because they aren’t sure what they are going to do [upon graduating].”

McMaughan said one example of Silwal’s impact is her involvement with the HEALing Communities Study, where she helped convene a policy workgroup focused on removing barriers to evidence-based practices aimed at reducing opioid overdose deaths across four states.

Her research has also gained national attention. One of her studies examining access to buprenorphine by providers was featured on a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services podcast centered on efforts to combat the opioid epidemic.

While the APHA recognition highlights Silwal’s accomplishments as a researcher, McMaughan said her character and collaborative spirit are equally deserving of praise.

“She has an incredibly strong work ethic and is deeply driven, but what really sets her apart is how collaborative and supportive she is,” McMaughan said. “She genuinely wants everyone around her to succeed — students, colleagues … all of us.”

McMaughan noted that awards such as the Champion of Change Award can be particularly significant for researchers because they provide [financial] resources that help expand their efforts and increase the visibility of impactful work being done within the school.

“For our school, that kind of momentum elevates our profile and strengthens our reputation as a place where impactful public health research happens.”

Story By: Annie Ross | annie.ross@okstate.edu