What have you learned about since you started your program?
Since starting my program, I have taken classes such as Health Policy, Epidemiology, and Qualitative Research Methods classes. These courses have allowed me to explore further how science and evidence-based decision-making impact public health outcomes. In addition, the skills developed in these courses have equipped me to conduct both qualitative and quantitative research, both of which I plan to use in the future.
What three health professionals do you get inspiration from and why?
I am inspired by a range of public health professionals who have served in various capacities throughout history. Three of my most prominent inspirations are Dr. Hildrus Poindexter, W.E.B Dubois, and Dr. Charles Drew. Dr. Poindexter, a specialist in tropical diseases, epidemiology, and public health, was the first African American to receive both an MD and Ph.D. I am inspired by his critical role in malaria treatment and prevention practices and his tenacity to improve human health globally. I am inspired by W.E.B Dubois’s work to highlight the relationship between racism and discrimination and the social and health consequences of Black people in the United States. Reading his books, such as The Souls of Black Folk, introduced me to ethnographic research and helped shape my perspectives on health disparities. Dr. Charles Drew was a surgeon and medical researcher in blood transfusions. He is best known as the father of the modern blood bank. His pioneering work in the healthcare field changed the course of medicine and paved the way for many black doctors. Overall, what inspires me most about these men is their work to promote health equity and stance against racism in health.
What has the COVID pandemic taught you about the importance of public health?
The biggest lesson that the Covid pandemic has taught me is the importance of health communication and education in public health. Working for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Capitol Hill, and being a student at Yale has allowed me to see the pandemic from multiple perspectives. Each of us views and engages with the virus based on these perspectives and our lived experiences, all of which impacted the course of the pandemic itself. Moving forward, we must continue to develop better health communication strategies that are both culturally competent and trustworthy to prevent many of the challenges we experienced over the last two years.
Where do you want to be in your career in 10 years?
Within the next ten years, I plan to get my Ph.D. focusing on health disparities and restorative health justice solutions. Once completing all of my degrees, I aspire to work domestically and abroad to improve healthcare practices during humanitarian crises and promote overall equity for those in need.
What’s your vision of utilizing an advanced degree in public health?
Throughout my career, I hope to aid in the prevention of health challenges through advocacy, education, and innovative thinking. In addition, I plan to utilize community-based participatory research practices (CBPR) to empower communities and alleviate health issues in minority populations. CBPR is an approach to research that focuses on equal participation between the researcher and the community. It seeks to build community capacity and allows community members to actively contribute to research aims, objectives, and overall implementation to improve health outcomes and enact policy or social change. Effectively incorporating CBPR can enhance the nature of research and ensure that community voices are heard.
