Kerry Johnson graduated this spring with her MPH with a concentration in Health Behavior and Health Promotion. She completed her MPH internship with the Southeast Arizona Health Education Center where she conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis for a community health worker program, and she currently works with the Arizona Prevention Research Center’s Participatory Evaluation Institute as the evaluation lead for the THRIVE program for adolescent health run by Campesinos Sin Fronteras in San Luis, AZ. For her contributions and dedication to so many public health programs and projects, Kerry received the 2024 Outstanding MPH Graduate Award.
I’ve recently accepted an Evaluation Fellowship with the CDC in Atlanta in the office of Viral Hepatitis. My work experience with the AzPRC and other programs at MEZCOPH directly supported my pursuit of this next opportunity.
Kerry Johnson
MPH in Health Behavior Health Promotion
Kerry Johnson graduated this spring with an MPH with a concentration in Health Behavior and Health Promotion. She completed her MPH internship with the Southeast Arizona Health Education Center (SEAHEC) where she conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis for a community health worker program. She currently works with the Arizona Prevention Research Center’s (AzPRC) Participatory Evaluation Institute as the evaluation lead for the THRIVE program focused on adolescent health run by Campesinos Sin Fronteras in San Luis, AZ. For her contributions and dedication to so many college programs and projects, Kerry received the 2024 Outstanding MPH Graduate Award.
In addition to her internship with SEAHEC and her current role with AzPRC, Kerry has volunteered widely and contributed to numerous public health projects and programs connected with the college including roles with the Environment, Exposure Science and Risk Assessment Center (ESRAC), the Public Health Poster Forum, the Alliance for Vaccine Literacy, the ‘Learning, Understanding, and Cultivating Health Advocacy’ (LUCHA) group, the MILAGRO and Border Health service learning courses, the Bridging Biodiversity and Conservation Science (BBCS) research team, and a mixed-methods assessment project focused on food and physical activity access with the Yuma County Public Health Services District.
Kerry’s passion for health equity combined with her desire to learn and implement the tools of public health drew her to explore courses in Public Health Administration and Management and Global Health in addition to her Health Behavior and Health Promotion concentration. She also contributed to several research publications.
Notably, Kerry created a compelling multimedia ‘storymap’ that tracks her journey to public health and to Tucson.
For this profile, we asked Kerry about what she learned during her MPH degree program at the Zuckerman College of Public Health, and what inspires her about public Health.
Q: What inspired you about the projects or programs you worked on? What did you learn?
A: Working with the Campesinos Sin Fronteras THRIVE team for the past 3 years, it has been inspiring to watch the team learn and grow into new leaders for their community. I’ve also been inspired by the power of translational science and program evaluation. With those tools we’re able to support communities to make data-informed and research-informed decisions so that services align with best-practices to achieve the greatest benefits for public health.
All through my degree journey I’ve also been inspired by the MEZCOPH faculty and their dedication to their students. They are supportive, motivating, challenging, and value student interactions to help us become experienced and well-informed public health professionals. I’ve learned so much! From research skills, program evaluation skills, laboratory and field work skills, data analysis, and so much more. Above all, my experience at MEZCOPH has continuously provided me with opportunities to grow my skills in new and unexpected ways.
Q: Did you have a teacher or mentor who especially inspired you? How and why?
A: So many great teachers! Maia Ingram was my faculty mentor and academic advisor. She consistently provided support, guidance, and encouragement. I am grateful to have had the chance to learn from her over these four years. Dr. Kacey Ernst served as the Co-Director for BBCS when I was their Program Coordinator, and she was a constant source of validation and support as I navigated strategic planning, budget management, hiring processes, and coordinating research proposals to NSF.
Katy Tucker Ortiz y Pino has been my supervisor in the AzPRC for 3 years, and I have learned a tremendous amount from her. I’m very grateful to have had the chance to work with the AzPRC team. And Jill Guernsey de Zapien, always a champion and advocate for students to get involved with migrant health and immigration-related issues, has also been a constant mentor and guide for me. I hope to carry her knowledge and passion forward by supporting migrant communities in the future.
Q: How will your education and experience as a public health student influence your path forward?
A: I’ve recently accepted an Evaluation Fellowship with the CDC in Atlanta in the office of Viral Hepatitis. My work experience with the AzPRC and other programs at MEZCOPH directly supported my pursuit of this next opportunity. I hope to be a director of public health programs that are community-driven. I want to lead using translational science and evidence-based practices to address health disparities in underserved populations – communities of color, rural communities, medically underserved, non-English primary speakers, and others. I will focus on the social determinants of health, building systems and environments that make it easier for families to choose healthy behaviors and reduce their exposures to harmful substances.
See Kerry Johnson’s journey to public health > See Kerry Johnson’s 2022 Poster Forum poster > See Kerry Johnson’s 2023 Poster Forum poster >
