MPH Health Behavior Health Promotion
“I’m very thankful that MEZCOPH guides us to choose an internship that both satisfies our interests and helps us meet our career objectives. This past summer, I returned to Nicaragua to do a community assessment for postpartum depression in collaboration with a local NGO. The College has helped me to identify sources of funding, and my advisors have been very engaged throughout the process.”
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Hometown:
Eugene, OR
Prior Degree(s):BA International Studies, Latin American Studies, and Spanish; University of Oregon
Before entering the program:I was a Maternal and Child Health Peace Corps Volunteer in Nicaragua from January 2011 to May 2014.
Why did you choose public health?An internship I did with CARE International as an undergraduate that focused on maternal health in Ecuador sparked my initial interest in public health, though I wouldn’t have been able to give a name to what I was doing at the time. Working with community health workers and the Ministry of Health in Nicaragua allowed me to focus my goals and led me to deciding on a master’s program.
Why did you choose MEZCOPH?I chose MEZCOPH because of the faculty, its location in the Southwest, and the incredible network of returned Peace Corps volunteers at the UA. There are multiple professors in the College that have years of experience with community-based participatory research, something that I feel is vital in developing both meaningful research and successful health interventions. Also, Tucson’s location near Mexico makes it an exciting place to be if you’re interested in border health. Finally, the UA Coverdell Program for returned Peace Corps volunteers is one of the best in the country.
Public health interests:Mental health, Behavioral Health, Health Disparities, and Maternal Health.
Internship:I spent seven weeks in the small, rural community of Los Robles, Nicaragua, doing an exploratory qualitative assessment of mental health and postpartum depression with an organization called Comunidad Connect. My research explores how community health workers (brigadistas) might be able to assist with mental health-related interventions.
Interests/hobbies outside of school:Soccer! I play for the Peace Corps United team; Lots of live music, especially at the Rialto; Hikes in the Catalina Mountains.
Tip for future students:Grad school isn’t just about getting those three letters on your resume; it’s about maximizing your time on campus and learning from the wealth of knowledge and experience that surround you during this finite period of time. Make the most of it!
