Join the Barnett College of Public Health’s Gallery of Success Recipients for a cup of coffee and a discussion on how their Temple experiences and degrees aided them throughout their careers.
Speakers include: Ayana Bradshaw, MPH’03, president and CEO of AccessMatters, a public health organization seeking to educate and expand access to sexual and reproductive health Nicole Ruggiano, MSW’04, is an associate dean for research at the University of Alabama’s School of Social Work and professor whose work specializes in healthcare for older adults and health policy.
This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to hear how Bradshaw and Ruggiano's degrees helped their success.
Please click here to RSVP and submit questions in advance!
Ayana Bradshaw, MPH '03
Ayana Bradshaw is a distinguished public health leader whose career reflects more than 25 years of strategic vision, equity-centered practice and deep commitment to improving community health. She currently serves as president and CEO of AccessMatters, where she leads mission-driven strategy and oversees initiatives that expand access to high-quality sexual and reproductive health care and information.
Before joining AccessMatters, Bradshaw served as executive director of the Health Promotion Services Division at Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC) and its affiliate, the Health Promotion Council, where she transformed care delivery and expanded community reach. She also held senior administrative roles at two world‑renowned research centers within Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, steering complex operations and multimillion‑dollar grant portfolios that fueled groundbreaking public health initiatives.
Her expertise extends across behavioral health, intervention design for underserved populations, participatory research and citywide chronic disease collaborations.
In addition, she has advanced public health education as an adjunct instructor at Temple University and West Chester University, equipping students with practical, community‑driven insight.
Bradshaw serves as president of the board of directors of West Oak Lane Charter School and as secretary of the board of directors of PMHC, while remaining active in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Jack and Jill of America, Inc. and the Christian Church in Philadelphia. A graduate of West Chester University (BS in public health) and Temple University (MPH), she has built her career on values of service, leadership and partnership that continue to guide her impact.
Dr. Nicole Ruggiano, MSW '04
Dr. Nicole Ruggiano is professor and associate dean of research for the School of Social Work at the University of Alabama. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and PhD in urban affairs and public policy from the University of Delaware. She earned her master’s of social work degree from Temple University. As a geriatric social worker, she specializes in healthcare for older adults and health policy.
Dr. Ruggiano’s research focuses on developing and testing information technologies that support older adults with dementia and their families.
Her research portfolio includes $9.8 million in funding, with $2.3 million awarded to her as principal investigator or co-principal investigator. Her work has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. She regularly translates her research findings into health literacy education for patients, caregivers and providers in the community. Her innovative work has received awards and has been featured in print and television news. She has served as a media source on health and aging topics and was selected as a TEDx speaker for her work on health self-management and autonomy in later life.
Dr. Ruggiano’s health policy expertise includes serving as an American Political Science Association Health and Aging Congressional Fellow, where she worked on policy projects in Washington, D.C., to improve healthcare quality for older adults. She was appointed by Governor Kay Ivy to the Alabama Lifespan Respite Coalition and chairs the Research and Innovation Subcommittee of the Alabama House Alzheimer’s Disease Taskforce.