MPH Public Health Policy & Management
"MEZCOPH and Tucson have become like a second family and a second home to me. Looking back on this past year, I am so thankful for the ways the program and this city have stretched my perspective and challenged me to pursue more than I believed I could."
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Hometown:
Brookfield, WI
Prior Degree(s):BS in Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Before entering the program:I was working in a clinic in Bhopal, India and researching the legal climate surrounding the 1984 Union Carbide gas disaster. Once I returned stateside, I also worked as a caregiver at an assisted living facility until the start of the MPH program.
Why did you choose public health?My stay in Bhopal was my first taste of public health, specifically in the realm of public health policy, and I became fascinated by the interplay between policy and health. I was also continually exposed to the idea that public health is at the forefront of improved health outcomes and I found myself hungry to learn more.
Why did you choose MEZCOPH?I only had to visit MEZCOPH once to know it would be the perfect fit for me. The genuine interest I felt from both current students and faculty during Admitted Students’ Day impressed me the most, making me confident that MEZCOPH would offer the kind of support, academic and otherwise, I was looking for.
Public health interests:Elderly population, individuals with disabilities, behavioral health
Internship:Behavioral and Primary Health Care Integration for Dual Eligible Adults 65 Year and Older in Southern Arizona
Interests/hobbies outside of school:Ultimate Frisbee, running, Tu Nidito (shameless plug: this organization is doing wonderful things for grieving families and children in Tucson. Check it out!)
Tip for future students:Put yourself on the steepest learning curve you can. I wouldn’t say I have a natural affinity for policy, but I chose my concentration for that reason and have learned a tremendous amount as a result.
