WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) is proud to announce that Dr. Raffy R. Luquis will be awarded the Distinguished Fellow Award during the 2025 Annual Conference in Long Beach, April 16-18. 

“I am honored to receive the Distinguished Fellow award this year,” said Luquis, who is Professor of Biobehavioral Health at Penn State Harrisburg. “I am also thankful to all my colleagues who took their time to submit the nomination and letters of support. I will always be grateful.” 

This award recognizes a National SOPHE member who has made significant and lasting contributions to SOPHE and the profession of health education or public health demonstrated through exemplary scholarship and community service.    

“I feel humbled to join the list of all the previous Distinguished Fellows recognized by SOPHE over the past several decades as these individuals have contributed tremendously to the public health education profession,” Luquis said. “Many of those people are individuals who I have admired over the years as respected and excellent public health education professionals. To be among this group is just incredible.” 

Luquis, who is also serving as the Interim Director of the School of Behavioral Sciences and Education at Penn State Harrisburg, focuses his research on cultural competency among health professionals and multicultural health and health equity with an emphasis on health issues affecting the Latino/Hispanic population. He is the co-editor of the book “Cultural Competence in Health Education and Health Promotion” and has numerous publications and national presentations at conferences in his areas of expertise. He has served in leadership roles as part of the Society for Public Health Education, the PA Governor Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs, the Latino Hispanic Professional Association, the PA Family Support Alliance, and the Latino Hispanic American Community Center. Dr. Luquis was born and raised in Puerto Rico. 

Luquis’ beliefs in the importance of community service within public health makes him an ideal choice for this award.  

“Throughout my career, I have strived to do my best to serve others,” he said. “This is especially important in the field of public health education where we are often serving on behalf of members of underrepresented communities. We are often the voice who advocates on their behalf. I am glad to be part of a larger group of public health professionals who serve the diverse population we represent.” 

SOPHE will present all awards and scholarships to public health professionals, health education researchers, faculty, programs, and practitioners at its annual conference in April in Long Beach. These awards and scholarships recognize significant advancements in the profession of health education and health promotion and outstanding contributions of well-established and rising stars to improving the public’s health. 

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About SOPHE 

The Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) is a nonprofit association that supports leaders in public health, health education and promotion to advance healthy and equitable communities across the globe. SOPHE members work in health care settings, communities, organizations, schools, universities, worksites, and in local, state and federal government agencies. For more information visit www.sophe.org.