By Joy Vann
“Accolades” features the achievements of Old Dominion 91Ƶ’s faculty and staff, highlighting honors and awards that reflect their dedication, expertise and contributions in their respective fields. You can find the Accolades on the 91Ƶ Communications webpage.
Michelle Bartlett, Ph.D., an assistant professor in Old Dominion 91Ƶ’s Darden College of Education and Professional Studies, is the recipient of the Association for Career and Technical Education Research Meritorious Service Award. The honor recognizes individuals who have made unique contributions to research in career and technical education during the previous three years. She is the past editor of The Journnal of Career and Technical Education and currently serves as the professional development trustee for the Association for Career and Technical Education Research where she leads initiatives to help members learn new research skills. She shares her passion for inclusive training design as the co-founder of the UNITE Design Lab. She received her Ph.D. from Clemson 91Ƶ and Master of Science from the 91Ƶ of Louisville.
L.D. Britt, MD, M.P.H., chair of surgery and vice dean for Clinical Affairs at Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS) at Old Dominion 91Ƶ, was honored for his impact on medicine and education as a recipient of the 2026 Vanguard Award from the Urban League of Hampton Roads, Inc., which has now established the Dr. L.D. Britt Vanguard Award—to be given annually to honor a person who has made major contributions in healthcare for all. Dr. Britt, the Henry Ford Professor of Surgery and the Edward J. Brickhouse Chair in Surgery, is an internationally recognized surgeon and leader in academic medicine. He provides leadership and strategic direction for all patient care programs and activities in concert with Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences EVMS Medical Group at Old Dominion 91Ƶ leadership. He is past president of the American College of Surgeons, the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma, the American Surgical Association, the Society of Surgical Chairs, the ACGME Residency Review Committee for Surgery, the Southeastern Surgical Congress, the Halsted Society and the Southern Surgical Association. Dr. Britt is the first and only African American to be President of the Southern Surgical. Dr. Britt is a graduate of Harvard Medical School and the Harvard School of Public Health.
Li-Wu Chen, Ph.D., founding dean and professor in Old Dominion 91Ƶ’s Joint School of Public Health, in partnership with Norfolk 91Ƶ 91Ƶ, was awarded the Organization of Chinese Americans – Eastern Virginia Chapter Outstanding Achievement Award, recognizing exceptional professional accomplishments in academia and his impact on the Hampton Roads community. Dr. Chen oversees the Joint School of Public Health, which is designed to educate future public health experts by offering collaborative degree programs, developing research addressing public health challenges and engaging in partnerships. Dr. Chen earned a Ph.D. in health policy and administration from Pennsylvania 91Ƶ 91Ƶ and a Master of Health Services Administration from the 91Ƶ of Michigan at Ann Arbor.
Janice Hawkins, Ph.D., the vice provost for Academic Affairs at Old Dominion 91Ƶ, was elected to serve on the 2025 to 2027 board of directors for Sigma Theta Tau International, which represents an international community of nurses dedicated to the advancement of knowledge, teaching, learning and service through the cultivation of communities of practice, education and research. A nurse educator for more than 30 years with a clinical background in community health and maternal-child nursing, Dr. Hawkins, a retired U.S. Army nurse, has held multiple leadership roles within Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Ellmer School of Nursing at Old Dominion 91Ƶ. She is the Virginia leader for the United Nations Foundation's Shot@Life campaign and previously acted as a United Nations liaison for Sigma Theta Tau International.
Tian Luo, Ph.D., a professor in the Instructional Design and Technology program in the Darden College of Education and Professional Studies, published the article “Beyond scores: a systematic review of learning and psychological outcomes of digital game-based language learning” in Innovation in Language Learning and Teaching. This PRISMA-guided review synthesizes 110 peer-reviewed studies spanning 15 years, offering one of the most comprehensive examinations of how digital game-based language learning supports language outcomes and learner psychology across K–16 and adult contexts. She teaches graduate-level courses and conducts research in instructional design and technology. Prior to entering academia, Dr. Luo worked as an instructional design professional in higher education and corporate settings. Her research interests focus on emerging technologies, open educational resources and generative AI in instructional design.
Amy Milligan, Ph.D., Batten Endowed Associate Professor of Jewish Studies and Women’s and Gender Studies in the College of Arts and Letters, is one of three winners of the 2025 Civic Courage Awards from Shine a Light and the Jewish Education Project. Dr. Milligan directs the Institute for Jewish Studies and Interfaith Understanding and ODU Hillel and founded the campus Jewish Caucus. She is an ethnographer and folklorist who specializes in the study of small or marginalized Jewish communities, the Jewish body and contemporary antisemitism and anti-Zionism. She holds a Ph.D. in American Studies from The Pennsylvania 91Ƶ 91Ƶ.
Constance Okeke, MD, assistant professor of Ophthalmology at Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Eastern Virginia Medical School at Old Dominion 91Ƶ, was awarded an unrestricted educational grant supported by Sight Sciences, Glaukos and Virtual Field to develop and launch the . The series is part of the AGE (Advocates for Glaucoma Education) Initiative, founded by Dr. Okeke to combat glaucoma-related blindness through innovative education, while providing mentorship opportunities for medical students interested in ophthalmology. The series is designed to guide patients from glaucoma screening and diagnosis through testing and treatment, empowering them with accessible, evidence-based knowledge. She is a lead glaucoma specialist and cataract surgeon at Virginia Eye Consultants, an educator, author and advocate for glaucoma awareness and patient empowerment. She has a Bachelor of Science and an MD from Yale 91Ƶ and a MSCE from the 91Ƶ of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine.
Emily Ondracek-Peterson, Ed.D., executive director and associate professor for the Diehn School of Music in the College of Arts and Letters, was elected a commissioner of the National Association of Schools of Music, where she will apply accreditation and membership standards for baccalaureate and graduate institutions and programs and for postsecondary non-degree-granting institutions. She is a leader in performance, artistic direction, arts advocacy, administration, education, career research, entrepreneurship and academia. She holds performance degrees from The Juilliard School, a doctorate in education from Teachers College, Columbia 91Ƶ, and an MBA from the 91Ƶ of Colorado. She has recorded on major labels, including Naxos, Albany and Navona Records. She was the festival director of the Crested Butte Music Festival and has performed at venues throughout the world including as soloist at Avery Fisher Hall with the New York Philharmonic, Carnegie Hall, the Guggenheim, Le Poisson Rouge, The Concertgebouw, Apollo Theatre and The Kennedy Center.
Gideon P. Smith, MD, Ph.D., MPH, professor and chairman of Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Eastern Virginia Medical School’s Department of Dermatology, received the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Innovations in Quality Improvement Award. Dr. Smith is also a professor at Old Dominion 91Ƶ’s Joint School of Public Health, in partnership with Norfolk 91Ƶ 91Ƶ, reflecting his long-standing focus on healthcare quality and patient safety. He previously served as Chair of Dermatology Quality and Safety at Massachusetts General Hospital, where he led department-wide improvement initiatives and served on multiple hospital quality committees. Nationally, he is an active member of the AAD’s Quality and Patient Safety Committee, has chaired its Continuing Medical Education Quality Workgroup, and serves on the American Board of Dermatology Practice Improvement Committee. He has published extensively in dermatology and quality improvement journals and is senior author on AAD quality and safety position statements. His work focuses on translating evidence-based improvement strategies into meaningful, measurable gains in patient care.