The UC Berkeley Emeriti Association has awarded Professor Stephen M. Shortell, of the School of Public Health, its Emeritus of the Year Award for 2026.
Emeritus of the Year 2026: Stephen Shortell, Public Health
Stephen Shortell, who retired in 2017, has continued his very active engagement in Teaching, Research and Service. To quote from his support letter (from Michael C. Lu, dean of the school), Shortell “has sustained a level of scholarly productivity and intellectual influence that would be remarkable at any career stage.” He has published 64 peer-reviewed papers and 23 brief reports, chapters, blogs and editorials. He also has given 53 presentations locally, nationally and internationally. That is in the nine years since retirement.
Since retirement, he has served on eight doctoral committees in Health Policy and Management on the Berkeley Campus. He has also continued to mentor his colleagues who value his input in both scholarship and administration.
His impact at the local, state, national and international level has been powerful in the area of public health, where he is tirelessly trying to improve the American healthcare system. He serves on or leads a plethora of Advisory Committees. He continues to be recognized by his colleagues in receiving a variety of awards. And on top of all that, according to his nominator, “(h)is kindness and warmth with staff, colleagues and friends are exemplary. He’s the entire package!!”