Why did you choose to attend Tulane SPHTM?
I chose to attend Tulane SPHTM for my DrPH because I had a great experience with the MPH in Epidemiology program that I previously completed at Tulane SPHTM. I found their mission and ethos towards public health to be genuine and have felt that the values of the school align with my own personal values.
Why are you interested in volunteering as an SPHTM Student Ambassador?
I love connecting with the next generation of students and hearing about their passions. I want to make students feel more confident and secure in the decision that they make for where they want to invest in their education.
What's your dream job?
Thanks to Tulane, I have my dream job! I am an epidemiologist at Kaiser Permanente in Southern California where I study various infectious diseases that afflict our members. I would like to augment my expertise and bring more ideas to the organization regarding how we can improve our research to increase beneficial health outcomes for the larger community that our members interact with.
What advice would you give someone thinking about getting a degree in public health?
The best advice that I can give is to always remember that people should inform policy, not the other way around. You can design the most efficacious intervention or program under ideal settings, but if you don't understand the pre-existing health behaviors or have community stakeholders, the intervention may not be long-term or even welcomed. Public health should always make it a priority to work in partnership with the communities we serve.
Any hobbies, interests, etc. outside of public health?
I am a big animal lover so a lot of my hobbies and interests revolve around fostering kittens and I've even raised a puppy who was born to be a guide dog! She didn't end up making it through college so now she is a happy addition to our family. I also love volunteering with my sorority, Sigma Kappa, as a philanthropy coordinator and risk management coordinator for universities across the country. In my free time when I'm not volunteering I love to read, sew, paint, and watch scary movies
What is the best thing about being a student at SPHTM thus far?
The best part about being a Tulanian is the robust community of students, faculty, guest speakers, and alumni that are affiliated with the SPHTM. There is always a professor willing to listen to you and give you advice, there is always a resource for help if you need it, and there are always other people looking to make friends.
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