Public Health SPOTlight Podcast

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!This episode is from inside PH SPOT's membership community: The Public Health Career Club. You'll get to listen in on a training session where career club members got a chance to ask Sujani questions. In this episode, we share one of those questions: how did you get started in public health?What You'll Learn from this Episode:How Sujani got interested in public health, and her undergraduate experience.How to get work experience early in your public health career journey (part-time, casual, volunteer).How to use all of your experiences (whether they are paid or unpaid) to tell a story about your abilities, skills, and knowledge to prospective employers.About The Public Health Career Club, PH SPOT's membership community.Today's Guest:Sujani Sivanantharajah is the founder and CEO of PH SPOT. Sujani Sivanantharajah is a public health professional trained in Epidemiology. Her gift and passion lie in building relationships and using these relationships to create and cultivate spaces for people to find meaningful partnerships that can serve their communities. In 2017, this passion led her to build PHSPOT.org, a platform and community for public health professionals around the world to build their dream careers.Sujani holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree from the University of Saskatchewan and an Honours Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Toronto.Featured on the Show:The Public Health Career ClubSupport the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!In this episode, Sujani sits down with Jennifer Mandelbaum, a healthcare economics consultant at Optum and lecturer at Tufts University. They discuss job search and application tips for public vs. private sectors and what factors to consider if you are thinking about pursuing a postgraduate degree. You’ll LearnHow Jennifer found her way into public healthWhat personal and professional factors you should consider when thinking about pursuing a postgraduate degree Job search tips for those interested in the private sector of public health including how to navigate networking in the digital ageHow applying for jobs changes in the public, private, and academic fields and how to tailor your resume and cover letter for each fieldJob search tips for new graduates and things to start considering even as you are finishing your degree including:Being open minded about potentially not landing your dream job right awayBuilding a mentorship network around you and joining professional organizationsDeveloping transferable skillsHow academic work can differ between institutions and determining where you would fit bestWhat a day in the life of a healthcare economics consultant looks likeToday’s GuestJennifer Mandelbaum, PhD, MPH is a public health researcher and healthcare economics consultant at Optum whose work focuses on chronic disease prevention and mental health care across the life course. Dr. Mandelbaum has experience working across sectors (e.g., academia, government, industry) to understand and address root causes affecting issues of health care access and equity. In recognition of her efforts to improve chronic disease outcomes, she received the Rising Star Award from the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (2022) and the Dr. Rick Foster Leadership Award from Live Healthy South Carolina (2020). She serves as a Governing Councilor for the Public Health Education and Health Promotion (PHEHP) section of the American Public Health Association (APHA) as well as a member of APHA’s Education Board. Cultivating the next generation of public health professionals is important to her, and she is currently a part-time faculty member in Tufts University’s Department of Community Health. Dr. Mandelbaum holds a BA from Brandeis University, an MPH from Yale University, and a PhD from the University of South Carolina.ResourcesFollow Jennifer on LinkedIn Learn more about Optum Learn more about the American Public Health Association and the Society of Behavioural Medicine Support the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!In this episode, Sujani sits down with Dr. Marissa Robinson, coordinator of the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative at the US Department of Health. They discuss Marissa’s education and career, her interest in HIV and the Black community’s access to health, and harnessing charisma in your professional life. You’ll LearnHow Marissa’s personal experiences shaped her interest in the social determinants of health, specifically with HIV and the Black community’s access to healthMarissa’s experience at Spelman College, a historically Black college for women, and what factors she considered when making choices about educationTips on dealing with rejection, self doubt, and other barriers in your careerHow charisma is essential in leadership and public health and why it is especially important for women of colour to develop this skillToday’s GuestDr. Marissa Robinson is a strategic-leader, visionary, and disruptor within the field of Infectious Disease. She focuses on HIV/AIDS research, educating the need to increase opportunities and diversity amongst the public health workforce. She currently leads as the Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. (EHE) initiative Coordinator at the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health within the Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy.Dr. Robinson is a DMV native and is trained in infectious disease epidemiology. She has conducted extensive HIV/AIDS research for over a decade. She began her federal career when she joined the United States Peace Corps as a Community Health and Malaria Prevention volunteer in Togo, West Africa. After returning to the US, Dr. Robinson worked at the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) in the HIV/AIDS Bureau (HAB) on global infectious disease surveillance supporting the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) initiative. Following her time at HRSA, Dr. Robinson joined the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) where she conducted and maintained data analytics for a Nursing and Midwifery initiative on behalf of PEPFAR for 13 African countries. After her time at CDC, Dr. Robinson joined the CDC Foundation on the Teens Linked to Care pilot program with the CDC’s Division of Adolescent and School Health which focused on substance use and sexual risk among youth in rural populations.Dr. Robinson completed her Doctor of Public Health degree as a Goldseeker Scholar at Morgan State University’s School of Community Health and Policy. Her dissertation was entitled “A Qualitative Exploration of Preexposure Prophylaxis Among Black Women Attending a Historically Black College and University in the Northeastern United States”. Dr. Robinson completed her doctoral fellowship training at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Pre-Doctoral Clinical Research Training Program. Dr. Robinson received her Master of Public Health with a concentration in global health, infectious diseases, and a certificate in socio-contextual determinants of health from Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health and her Bachelor of Arts in psychology and public health from Spelman College.ResourcesFollow Marissa on Support the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!In this episode, Sujani sits down with Dawn Hunter, a public health lawyer and Director of the Southeastern Region of the Network for Public Health Law. They discuss Dawn’s career journey and experiences, what public health law entails, and combining instincts and strategy to get your dream job. You’ll LearnHow Dawn found her way into public health and lawHow public health law differs from health lawTips on how to tell if a career is right for youTips on following your instincts and making career changes to find what suits you bestDawn’s experience pursuing a JD and MPH at the same time and what motivated her to do bothWhat a role as a public health lawyer may entailWhat the Network for Public Health Law is and what kind of work they doCareer advice on interviewing, drawing strengths from professional and personal experience, and thinking with intentionToday’s GuestDawn Hunter, JD,MPH, CPH., is Director of the Southeastern Region of the Network for Public Health Law. Dawn’s work focuses on research, analysis, implementation, and capacity building related to the use of law and policy to improve health outcomes and advance racial equity. She is particularly interested in the development of racial equity action plans and implementation strategies at the state and local level and leads an ongoing assessment of declarations of racism as a public health crisis and related efforts to address health inequities. In the past year, she has been collaborating with partners in the Collaborative for Anti-Racism and Equity. Dawn also focuses on strategies to improve health outcomes through civic engagement and served as the lead author of the Health & Democracy Index. She also conducts training on equity in public health messaging through the Becoming Better Messengers initiative. ResourcesFollow Dawn on LinkedIn Learn more about the The Network for Public Health Law Support the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!In this episode, Sujani sits down with Alexandra Bhatti, a public health attorney who is currently director of US Vaccine Public at Merck & Co. They discuss what led Alexandra to pursue public health law, her experience working in the public sector vs private sector with a pharmaceutical company, and her work in vaccine policy.You’ll LearnWhat led Alexandra to public health and then later public health lawWhat events led to Alexandra finding her niche in public health lawAdvice on overcoming anxiety when it comes to networking and connecting with othersHow the pandemic helped to emphasize the importance of public health policy and lawWhat a day in the life of the Director of US Vaccine Public Policy at Merck & Co. looks like How both the private and public sector have intertwining roles and the importance of interprofessionalism in advancing public healthThe value of having direction while remaining open to opportunities in your careerAdvice for those in search of growth in their careerThe importance of building a community and supporting your peersToday’s GuestAlexandra Bhatti is a public health attorney with a decade of diverse vaccine programmatic and policy experience across the government and private sector. She is currently Director of US Vaccine Public Policy at Merck & Co. Inc, where she leads US state and federal vaccine policy development and research as well as federal vaccine policy advocacy to advance evidence-based policy solutions that can help achieve and sustain high vaccination rates. She concurrently has served as faculty at Arizona State University in the School for the Science of Healthcare Delivery over the last 7 years. Prior to Merck, Ms. Bhatti was a public health attorney at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention where she led vaccination law research. Her roots are in state public health where she was previously a manager within the Arizona Department of Health, Immunization Program Office as well as a Senior Public Health Scientist within their state laboratory. ResourcesLearn more about Alexandra and follow her LinkedIn Learn more about the Network for Public Health Law and American Public Health Association Learn more about the CDC's Presidential Management Fellows program and Public Health Assessment Training Support the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!In this episode, Sujani sits down with Heidi Berthoud, the founder of Heidi Berthoud Consulting. They talk about Heidi’s career journey, what led her to creating her own company, and how to successfully build a network and run a business.You’ll LearnHow Heidi became interested in public health through frontline work as an EMT and other personal experiences Advice on breaking into public health for those who may not have a formal public health or science backgroundHeidi’s experience with balancing school and a full time jobHeidi’s experience with research and her areas of interestAdvice for those looking to get into consulting work including networking tips, building a client base, and figuring exactly what kind of work you want to do What resources such as business coaching are availableWhat Heidi has learned from running her own businessToday’s GuestHeidi is an experienced leader who began her public health and social service career at a large non-profit county hospital supporting training teams in the nursing education department. She received her Master’s Degree in Public Health from the University of Washington and concurrently completed a Global Health Masters Certificate. Heidi has more than 20 years of knowledge and experience in health care research, evaluation, technical writing, public health initiatives, qualitative data collection and analysis, and patient advocacy. Her experience includes working with government, academia, and non-profit organizations and she has been invited to work with Indigenous communities developing and delivering surveys and evaluations. She is the founder and principal consultant at Heidi Berthoud Consulting, LLC where she works with Public Health departments and health and social service organizations conducting community health needs assessments, program evaluations, and helping teams collect data they can actually use to improve their work. ResourcesLearn more about Heidi Berthoud Consulting Follow Heidi on LinkedIn and learn more about her research Listen to the previous episode with Stephanie Moxley Listen to the previous episode with Maudra Brown Learn more about the book "Company of One" by Paul Jarvis Support the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!In this episode, Sujani sits down with Dr. Sarah Hoehnen, an infectious disease physician who is passionate about improving health systems. They discuss what drew Sarah to community health, her experience with leadership and expanding her work to include medical administration, and what Sarah has learned about marrying healthcare with other public health services.You’ll LearnHow a medical school rotation drew Sarah into public healthWhat made Sarah interested in social systems and the way they impact healthHow western healthcare systems differ from others around the world and what we could learn from themHow we can start changing systems to better connect individual clinical care to the health of the communityThe value of playing to your own strengths and perspectives in healthcareSarah’s experience transitioning from a clinical role to a directorial/management roleWhy it’s important for Sarah to continue her clinical work along with her administrative workThe biggest challenges Sarah has come across in her experience working on both sidesWhat additional training Sarah has gone through or considered to succeed in her administrative roleWays to successfully lead a team and have everyone work in their own zones of geniusToday’s GuestDr. Sarah Hoehnen is a practicing infectious disease physician who is passionate about improving access to infectious disease screening, treatment, and prevention through integrated care and harm reduction models. Dr. Hoehnen partners with behavioral health and primary care providers to implement innovative systems of care that improve patient outcomes.ResourcesFollow Sarah on LinkedIn Learn more about the Health Resources and Services Administration Learn more about 360 degree feedback Support the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!In this episode, Sujani sits down with Doug Taylor, the Director of Operations and Finance for Fact Forward. They discuss Doug’s career journey, how public health and health education has changed over the years, and the different paths that public health can take you.You’ll LearnHow Doug became interested in health and wellness after serving in the military health corps and a medical event in the familyDoug’s experience with his undergrad and graduate degree and what extra value an MPH provides How public health in the 90s differed from today’s environmentHow sexual health education evolved as a result of the HIV pandemicThe importance of being engaged in public health communities and societies and making connections Why Doug pivoted from working in government to nonprofitDoug’s experience stepping into a leadership and management roleHow to deal with the more abstract nature of getting results and making change in public health Today’s GuestDoug Taylor is the Director of Operations and Finance for Fact Forward, a statewide non-profit in Columbia, SC, focusing on adolescent reproductive health. His role includes ensuring operational efficiencies, compliance with federal, state, and foundation rules and regulations, and collaborating with the CEO and Directors to secure financial resources that support the agency’s mission. He joined Fact Forward in June 2011 as the Director of Community Programs and Evaluation and oversaw all community-focused programming and the agency’s research and evaluation activities. The Department managed over 3 million in federal and private foundation funding to support youth-serving professionals in providing age-appropriate, medically accurate sexual health education to teens. Previously, Doug worked at the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), where he coordinated the implementation of DHEC’s Health Services statewide performance management system and led quality improvement teams in process improvement projects. Doug also served six years active duty in the United States Army, and six years with the Texas Army National Guard. Doug has a Master of Public Health in Health Promotion and Education from the University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health and a Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion and Education from the University of North Texas. ResourcesFollow Doug on LinkedIn Learn more about Fact Forward and follow them on Twitter and Instagram Support the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!In this episode, Sujani sits down with Inyang Uwak, an environmental epidemiologist with a background in medicine. They discuss Inyang’s experience with her MPH and DrPH program, how to succeed in environmental epidemiology, and how Inyang’s clinical background has helped her in her current career. You’ll LearnHow Inyang found her way to public health and specifically epidemiology and environmental from a clinical backgroundWhat considerations and support she used to make her decision to switch to public healthHow her clinical experience has helped her in her public health careerInyang’s experience with the Johns Hopkins MPH program and juggling school work with family life and motherhoodWhy Inyang chose to pursue a DrPH over a PhD How she was able to incorporate an interest in research work into her programWhat a day in the life of an environmental epidemiologist looks likeWhat skills are necessary to succeed as an environmental epidemiologistWhat opportunities there are in different sectors for environmental epidemiologistsToday’s GuestDr. Inyang Uwak is a Senior Epidemiologist with the CDC Foundation, an independent nonprofit created by Congress to support the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s critical health protection work. Dr. Uwak provides her expertise in the field to the City of Houston Health department’s Bureau of Pollution Control and Prevention. She received her DrPH from Texas A&M University in Epidemiology and Environmental Health, her MPH from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, and her Medical Degree from the University of Calabar, Nigeria. She currently serves as the APHA’s Environment Section Program Planning Co-Chair. When she is not working, she enjoys running in the park with her family and creating healthy treats in the kitchen.ResourcesFollow Inyang on LinkedInLearn more about Inyang’s research Learn more about the CDC Foundation Learn more about the American Public Health Association Support the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text! In this episode, we're talking about the New York State Public Health Corps (NYSPHC) Fellowship program - an opportunity for you to get hands-on public health experience. Whether you are a public health student, a new grad, or transitioning into the field, and are looking to gain hands-on public health experience, this fellowship program is something worth looking into. In this episode, Sujani sits down with 2 fellows currently in the program to give you a glimpse of what you can expect in this paid fellowship program and to hear about their journey. After hearing from the two fellows, Sujani and the Assistant Director of the program discuss the fellowship in more detail and cover frequently asked questions.We hope this episode inspires you to explore the NYSPH Fellowship Program further and take action - whether that's reaching out for more information or submitting an application. What You'll Learn from this Episode:About Rachel Jagger and Shani Fields' public health journey. Why they chose to apply to the fellowship, how they discovered the program, and their application process.A day in the life of both Rachel and Shani - what they do on a day-to-day basis in their role.What is a fellowship? What is the New York State Public Health Corps Fellowship Program? Erin tells us that the NYSPHC Fellowship program is a paid training program.How someone would get involved with the program if they’re interested, and the application processThe types of opportunities available for interested candidates; where fellows are placed.Who can participate, and what are the qualifications to become a Fellow?The type of training Fellows are required to complete.Some of the projects Fellows can get involved in.Who are mentors and how do they get involved? Featured on the Show:Fellowship Program OverviewThe FAQ PageApplication linkCounties that are currently hiring (PDF updated regularly)Support the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!In this episode, Sujani sits down with Adrian Leung, a public health pharmacist currently working with the province of Ontario to advance digital health. They discuss pharmacy and the current state of healthcare, the role of pharmacists in public health, and how pharmacy and public health can further intermingle to advance community health.You’ll LearnWhat drew Adrian towards pharmacy and then public health later in his careerAdrian’s experience working in a long term care facility and how frustration with the current health system and a want to learn led to him pursuing a Masters in Health AdministrationWhat a day in the life of a public health pharmacist looks likeThe work Adrian did with the COVID vaccine roll outHow the role of pharmacists in public health is still evolving and the advancements in care that may come from merging the private and public sectors of healthHow digital health and technology further advances health and outreach to communitiesToday’s GuestInitially trained as a pharmacist, Adrian spent the first eight years of his career specializing in pharmacy service delivery for seniors living in congregate care settings including long-term care. He later pursued a masters in health administration to broaden his knowledge and skillset, and subsequently joined York Region's public health unit to help advance their COVID-19 vaccination campaign. In that role as a Public Health Pharmacist, he served as the COVID-19 team's pharmaceutical expert to advise internal and external stakeholders on appropriate vaccine inventory management (including proper storage, handling, and distribution) and promote vaccine effectiveness and patient safety. Adrian is currently part of a team that advances digital innovation and transformation initiatives in the province of Ontario.ResourcesFollow Adrian on LinkedIn Read more about pharmacy's role in managing COVID and opportunities for further integration into public health Support the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!In this episode, Sujani sits down with Anita Balan, a project director at the American College of Preventive Medicine. They discuss Anita’s journey through grad school and the pit stops she took along the way, and ways to add to your skills toolkit by seizing opportunities outside of formal education.You’ll LearnHow Anita discovered public health through a peer education opportunity on campusHow politics and public health are closely intertwinedThe importance of being open to different opportunities that may not necessarily be in your direct field of workAnita’s experience and reflections on taking a break in between grad schoolHow you can upscale your school without needing formal educationHow volunteering is a valuable way to add skills to your toolkitHow to cope with failures and feelings of low self esteemWhat’s next for Anita and how she is gathering information for her future career path through informational interviewsToday’s GuestAnita Balan is a Project Director at the American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM). Currently, she is responsible for the day-to-day management and implementation of multiple grants funded through a cooperative agreement between ACPM and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, aimed at to strengthen public health systems and improve population health through national partnerships. Three of her projects focus on building the capacity of physicians, health systems and collaborating organizations to prevent diabetes, reduce hypertension and address COVID-19 among disproportionately affected populations. She provides staff support for the preventive medicine residency program directors and the Graduate Medical Education Subcommittee. Ms. Balan is a strong advocate for health promotion and disease prevention, investing in public health, public health law, addressing structural barriers and eliminating health disparities. She earned her MPH in Prevention and Community Health from the Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University and is a Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES). She serves on the boards of the National Capital Area chapter of the Society of Public Health Education (NCA SOPHE) and the South Asian Public Health Association (SAPHA). She is a believer in life-long learning and enjoys being a student of Indian Carnatic music and Bharatanatyam dance.ResourcesLearn more about the Emerging Leaders in Public Health Program Learn more about becoming a Certified Health Education SpecialistLearn more about Vote SmartLearn more about the American College of Preventive Medicine Listen to the previous episode with Joanna Suder and Gwyneth Eliasson Listen to the previous episode about informational iSupport the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!In this episode, Sujani sits down with Gwyneth Eliasson, an assistant professor at the Rutgers School of Public Health. They discuss how public health and law intersect, Gwyneth’s experiences in academia and teaching, and advice for anyone interested in health policy and these fields.You’ll LearnHow Gwyneth found her way into public health from working in public interest law and consultingThe differences between public health law, healthcare law, and public health practice and what opportunities are available for those interested in these areasWhat a day in the life of Gwyneth looks like as a professor How the pandemic has affected Gwyneth’s role as a professor and what changes she has seen in students’ learningsGwyneth’s teaching style and how she incorporates her own experiences and education in projects and assignmentsThe importance of good writing and clear communication in public healthWhat advice Gwyneth has for those interested in the intersection between law and public healthToday’s GuestGwyneth M. Eliasson is an Assistant Professor of Health Systems and Policy in the Department of Health Behavior, Society, and Policy at the Rutgers School of Public Health (RSPH). Before joining the RSPH faculty, she was an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the School of Public Health - SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University. She received her JD from Brooklyn Law School and her MPH in Health Systems and Policy from RSPH. As a social justice attorney, she advocated for low-income New Yorkers facing systemic health inequities at administrative proceedings and in Federal courts. As a public health practitioner, she managed CDC-contracted projects with the Center for Public Health Law Research at Temple University Beasley School of Law and consulted for Rutgers School of Law on grant-funded projects to develop a medical-legal partnership (MLP) program in Camden, New Jersey. Her case study on MLPs for older adults is in HEALTHY AGING THROUGH THE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH (APHA Press, 2021). ResourcesFollow Gwyneth on LinkedIn and Twitter Learn more about Camden's Medical-Legal Partnership Learn more about Temple University's Center for Public Health Law Research Learn more about CDC's Public Health Law Program Buy the book "Teaching Public Health Writing" by Jennifer Beard Listen to the previous episode about informational interviews with Shanna Shulman and the previous career tips for informational interviewsSupport the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!In this episode, Sujani sits down with Dr. Garry Aslanyan, the Manager of Partnerships and Governance with the World Health Organization and host of the Global Health Matters podcast. They discuss what the TDR is, how the Global Health Matters podcast came to be, and advice for anyone thinking of starting their own podcast.You’ll LearnWhat the TDR is and how they are helping to connect and advance public health around the worldHow the “Global Health Matters” podcast came to beHighlights and topics of interest that have been covered on the podcastThe advantages of using podcast as a medium for knowledge dissemination What skill sets and team members may be needed to run a podcastWhat costs and resources should be taken into considerationAdvice on pitching a new podcast projectOther advice for anyone thinking of starting their own podcastToday’s GuestAs Manager of Partnerships and Governance, Dr Garry Aslanyan is responsible for TDR's wide range of engagements with global health stakeholders, including mobilizing programme resources and TDR's governing bodies. TDR has a unique relationship with co-sponsors: UNICEF, World Bank, UNDP and WHO. This includes applying research evidence in global health programming of the co-sponsors and collaborating with six regional WHO offices which is overseen by Dr Aslanyan, including the highly successful impact grants tackling public health challenges in those regions. In addition, Dr Aslanyan is the Head of the ESSENCE on Health Research Secretariat that provides support to its Steering Committee and funding agencies which are members of ESSENCE to move forward on various activities.Garry is also the host of the highly popular Global Health Matters podcast and leads its production team.Dr Aslanyan is Canadian, with a background in dentistry, public health, research/innovation management, health policy/systems as well as global health diplomacy. Prior to joining TDR, Dr Aslanyan has taken on various roles that allowed him to lead various organizational and technical innovations and is a recognized leader in global public health. As well as holding senior executive positions within Canada’s federal government and as the past President of the Ontario Public Health Association, Dr Garry Aslanyan has experiences living and working across the world including in Brazil, South Africa, Armenia, Barbados and Vietnam.ResourcesListen to the Global Health Matters podcast and learn more about the TDR Contact Garry via Email: [email protected] Follow Garry on LinkedIn and Twitter Learn more about Garry’s research Support the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!In this episode, Sujani sits down with Krysta McKenna Luzynski, a district epidemiologist at the Virginia Department of Health. They discuss gaining perspectives on different healthcare systems around the world, the responsibilities of a rural epidemiologist, and McKenna’s experience working through the COVID-19 pandemic. You’ll LearnHow McKenna found her way into public health through a youth leadership camp and an interest in healthcareHow the pandemic has altered the public perception of public healthWhy McKenna chose to pursue higher education abroad to gain new perspectives on public healthHow her experiences abroad impacted her career opportunities back homeA brief overview of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine’s MSc in Public Health programWhat a day in the life of a rural epidemiologist looks likeHow working in a rural setting differs from urban settings and what unique challenges may ariseMcKenna’s experience working through the COVID-19 pandemic and what she has learned from itWhat skills are essential to succeed in applied epidemiologyMcKenna’s goals and where she hopes to take her career in the futureToday’s GuestA native of Roanoke, VA, McKenna Luzynski is a magna cum laude graduate of Furman University with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health and Spanish and a minor in Latin American Studies. She attended the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine for her Master of Science in Public Health. McKenna has been employed by the Virginia Department of Health as the Senior District Epidemiologist for Southside Health District since October of 2019. Additionally, she serves on the Board of Directors for VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital. McKenna resides in South Hill, VA.ResourcesFollow McKenna on LinkedIn Learn more about the National Youth Leadership Forum: Medicine program Learn more about London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine's MSc in Public Health program Support the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!In this episode, Sujani sits down with Deepti Joshi, the oncology quality program manager at MultiCare Health System. They discuss what quality improvement and management is, what tools and skills can help you succeed in this field, and her experiences as an international student. You’ll LearnHow Deepti discovered the field of public health through an interest in healthcare and managementThe role of exploring through internships and other work experiences in finding your passionWhat health and quality management is and what career opportunities are available for those interested in itWhat soft skills are advantageous for those interested in this fieldWhat additional certifications are useful for program management rolesHow teamwork between multiple disciplines is essential in maintaining quality services and systemsWhat a day in the life of a quality manager at a health system looks likeThe biggest challenges Deepti faced as a student/worker coming from a different country and how she overcame these challengesToday’s GuestI am currently working as an Oncology Quality Program Manager at MultiCare Health System in Washington. I have previously worked in Quality Improvement in the area of HIV/AIDS. I have a Master of Public Health degree from UNT Health Science Center, TX, and a Master of Hospital Administration degree from India. I also have a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification. I am pursuing my interest in both quality management and public health by working in positions that allow me to combine them, and work towards my ultimate goal of contributing to the betterment of our society. ResourcesFollow Deepti on LinkedIn Learn more about Certified in Public Health certification Learn more about the Lean Six Sigma Certification Learn more about the Google Data Analytics Certificate Find other courses on Coursera Support the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!In this episode, Sujani sits down with Neelam Bhardwaj, a healthcare professional with decades of international experience. They discuss Neelam’s research interests, the projects she has led around the world, and what she has learned from her extensive career.You’ll LearnHow Neelam found her way into public health through her medical and clinical trainingNeelam’s research interest and her work in women and children’s health Neelam’s experiences working with international organizations such as UNICEF and the United NationsThe various projects and initiatives Neelam has led around the worldWhat she has learned working with different cultures in the worldWhere to start if you are thinking of working at the international levelHow to focus and work towards your passionWhat Helplife Global is and what inspired Neelam to create it Today’s GuestDr. Neelam Bhardwaj has over 30 years of experience in the medical field. A highly skilled doctor, she currently works as a social obstetrician, wellness practitioner, and a global public health expert in the area of reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health (RMNCAH). She is driven by a passion to empower young girls and women from the underprivileged communities. Neelam has 20 years of her career working for international health, of which 15 years she spent as a technical expert for maternal and child health with UNICEF in number of Countries in remote and fragile settings, e.g., Indonesia, Sudan, Uganda, Malawi and India. She contributed to improving reproductive health of girls and women while at UNFPA, HQ NY. She worked with International Rescue Committee (IRC), in Sierra Leone, and PATH India in setting up the innovative approaches in remote areas of countries, and supported cultural practices, to save the lives of women and their newborn babies. She has been recipient of several national and international awards, and has many publications to her credit.Neelam earned postdoctoral degrees in medicine and healthcare management from universities in India, and received a diploma in Reproductive Health in Developing Countries from the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists and Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine in the United Kingdom. She is an active member of the Compassionate Birthing Network, & research that will preserve good cultural practices. She is known for her transformative leadership. She spent 15 years in researching disabilities in young women and girls, developed an innovative model of sustainability and development for the most vulnerable sections of the society.She is a motivational speaker for the most vulnerable who have lost all hopes of living a life of dignity and self-esteem. She is a great storyteller for women living in adversity. Her innovative business model for making young women and girls financially independent, and living a life of respectful citizen is attracting many other partners. She saved many young women and girls to be further pushed into poverty during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Her workshops, “innovating minds” are becoming very popular for motivating young people especially with disabilities. ResourcesFollow Neelam on Support the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!In this episode, Sujani sits down with Patrice Sirmons-Davis, the founder of PSD Consulting Group. They talk about Patrice’s journey from working in direct clinical care to public health, the values of gathering other perspectives when reflecting on your skills and career, and how PSD Consulting Group came to be. You’ll LearnHow Patrice found her way from patient advocacy to nursing to public healthHow Patrice’s experience in direct clinical care shone a light on frustrations she had with the current healthcare systemWhat difficulties Patrice encountered when transitioning from a clinical role to a public health roleTips for those in clinical roles who are thinking of changing professionsHow to recognize your skills and joys and the values of having outside perspectives affirm your skill setsHow PSD Consulting Group aims to integrate traditional healthcare with public healthWhat motivated Patrice to create her own consulting companyPatrice’s experience with creating her own companyHow Patrice’s own career journey motivated her to also do career coaching for early professionalsTips for those in the early stages of building their careers on overcoming financial barriers and where their sets of skills could bring changes in healthcareToday’s GuestPatrice Sirmons is the Owner and Principal Consultant at PSD Consulting Group. She started her career in public health in 1999 as a patient advocate in a community clinic. Since then she has worked at community health centers, ambulatory surgical centers, a county health department, and a nationally ranked hospital system, however, her true love is public health.She now works as a consultant and healthcare operations strategist. In this role, she works with community and healthcare organizations to create operational and program solutions that improve outcomes for the organizations and the people they serve.Her interests include addressing health disparities and barriers, integrating public health into traditional healthcare practices, and community health planning and policy development. She has demonstrated areas of expertise that include program development and evaluation, clinical operations and process improvement, and project management.Patrice holds a Master of Public Health from Des Moines University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Ohio University. She is a licensed Registered Nurse and a Board Certified Nurse Executive - Advanced. ResourcesFollow Patrice on LinkedIn Learn more about Patrice and the PSD Consulting Group Support the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!In this episode, Sujani sits down with Kristi Sprowl, the Community Impact Director at the American Heart Association. They talk about finding your niche in public health, building from your experiences, and ways to champion and innovate the profession of public health. You’ll LearnHow Kristi found her way into public health through nursingWhy Kristi decided to pursue a Doctor in Public Health degree and how a doctorate can offer more flexibility and opportunityTips on how to find the right career path for you including exploring as much as you can and finding the right mentors and communityHow knowing your “why” and centering yourself helps you avoid burnout and accomplish your goalsInterviewing tips and how to springboard from prior jobs and experiences to a new positionThe importance of servitude and taking action outside of the workplaceHow the workplace is changing and where innovation can take place in the public health fieldToday’s GuestKristi Sprowl is a Los Angeles native, health enthusiast, and Public Health Practitioner through rigorous academic training. She received her Bachelor of Science degree at California State University, Dominguez Hills in Community Health and her Master in Public Health degree at the University of Arizona where she received numerous awards for her research efforts related to public health issues affecting women. Kristi moved to Atlanta to pursue her public health career on a larger scale and joined Emory University conducting public health clinical research and worked as a Senior Health Educator at the Fulton County Board of Health where she planned and implemented community public health education programs, community outreach campaigns and public awareness initiatives with clinics, schools, and other stakeholders across Georgia’s largest county. Kristi now works as a Community Impact Director at the American Heart Association, leading and directing health initiatives in the Metro Atlanta region to drive local policy change. Kristi was recently accepted into the Doctor of Public Health program at the University of Georgia's 2021 cohort for working executives. She was awarded as a 2021 Health Equity Fellow at the University of Georgia and now representing as a 2022 Urban Leaders Fellow for Dekalb County in Atlanta’s metro region. Her future goals include teaching at the collegiate level, conducting research around leadership training and assessment for BIPOC professionals, and advancing programmatic efforts around social determinants of health and racial inequities. ResourcesFollow Kristi on LinkedIn Learn more about the American Heart Association Learn more about the McNair Scholars Program Read about the de Beaumount data about stress and burnout in public health professionals Support the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!In this episode, Sujani sits down with Shaniece Criss, an associate professor at Furman university and community leader. They discuss how Shaniece’s passion for media and performance led her to public health and how to incorporate your own interests in order to create a job that is fulfilling for you.You’ll LearnShaniece’s three spheres of influence and how they have affected her career How Shaniece found her way into public health through an interest in media and performanceShaniece’s experience going into an MPH straight from an undergraduate degree and the differences she saw between those who had previous work experience in the health fieldWhat made Shaniece decide to pursue further education after her MPHWhat the “golden handcuffs” are and how to take and incorporate aspects of certain professions/interests that bring you happiness to create your own perfect career What made Shaniece interested in academia and where she hopes to progress to in the futureThe importance of being involved in boards and councils and how that can further public health in your communityHow you can start to get involved in various boards and organizationsWhat a day in the life of an associate professor looks likeToday’s GuestDr. Shaniece Criss is a multifaceted, enthusiastic leader who works in the areas of higher education, research, government, and health media. In academia, she is an Associate Professor in the Health Sciences Department at Furman University and a community-engaged qualitative researcher addressing health equity and health communication. As a founding member of the Big Data for Health Equity Research Collaborative, she works with university researchers from across the U.S. to investigate how societal issues impact health. At Furman, she partners with the Institute for the Advancement of Community Health and serves as a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach.Dr. Criss is an elected official on Travelers Rest City Council and serves on the board of directors for Prisma Health and South Carolina Hospital Association. She also serves as a community advisor for the Jolley Foundation and Greenville County Schools. Most recently, she created the Dr. Shaniece Instagram account to educate others about public health. For her professional and community endeavors, she was recognized as one of eleven leaders from across the state with the “Women Vision SC” Award from ETV. In addition, she was named a “ChangeMaker” by Multiplying Good, inducted into the Greenville County Schools Hall of Fame, and received the UNCF Mayors’ Ball Community Award. With a passion to implement effective interventions and policies, she earned her doctorate from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Master of Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School of Government, where she was awarded a Presidential Public Service Fellowship. She has a Master of Public Health from Emory University and an undergraduate degree in communication from Oglethorpe University. As a public health practitioner, Dr. Criss served as producer and host for a national television show for the Ministry of Health in Guyana during her Peace Corps service. She also held positions at ICF International, Centers for DiSupport the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!In this episode, Sujani sits down with Akaoma Onyemelukwe to talk about the not for profit sector of public health. They discuss what tools are needed to succeed in public health, how to find your niche, and Akaoma’s own experiences working with various nonprofit organisations.You’ll LearnHow Akaoma found her way into public health from working with organisations such Unicef and Red Cross from a young ageWhy Akaoma pursued an MPH on top of her practical experience in the fieldHow having and declaring a strong desire, building connections, and finding a niche are all important in succeeding in the nonprofit spaceHow Akaoma found her areas of interest and specialisation in public healthWhat areas in public health have seen rapid changes in the recent years and which areas have seen little progressThe biggest challenges Akaoma has faced and what skills/resources she needed to overcome themThe most important learnings Akaoma has gained from working in the not for profit sectorWhat Right Proposals is and how it stemmed from Akaoma’s interest in helping organisations access funding and sustainability What a day in Akaoma’s life looks like and what tools and strategies to keep everything organised How volunteering, continuing education, and mentorship are all important steps in achieving your dream public health careerToday’s GuestNon-profit, global development and management expert/consultant and coach with 20 years experience; She comes with expertise in suite of health systems strengthening; policy and advocacy, business development (grants & proposals), strategic planning, policy development, curriculum development, gender and social norms, research and evaluation; organisational development and management; supported institutional capacity strengthening for NGOs, CSO, FBO, Networks and Coalition in Nigeria and Africa. Prepared tools, guidance and learning materials for trainings and technical documentation to inform reforms across various institutions and sectorsA leader in large and complex programmes in Health, Humanitarian, Education, Governance and Media sectors; advised governments of low- and middle-income countries, private sector organisations, INGOs and NGOs on policy and reforms; design, implementation and evaluation of programmes. Akaoma has considerable experience in developing, drafting, researching, and analysing strategies, policies, legislation, and regulations, action plans and operational guidelinesBeyond her expertise in new business development proposal writing, Akaoma has led researches in programming opportunities analysis, policy review, health reforms including the basic health care provision fund, support to state health insurance scheme work, human resource for health interventions’; developed a digital COVID -19 manual; series of capacity building initiatives for government, health workers, humanitarian workers and private sector players including communities’. Akaoma has worked in Nigeria, Malawi, and Ethiopia​ResourcesFollow Akaoma on LinkedIn Learn more about opportunities at the Support the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!In this episode, Sujani sits down with Monica Villarruel, a research scientist for the state of California. They discuss Monica’s experience working as a research scientist outside of academia and how Monica was able to overcome the various challenges throughout her academic and professional journey. You’ll LearnHow Monica found her way into the public health field from nutritionWhy Monica decided to pursue an MPH and the challenges she faced going back to schoolHow state research differs from research within academia and what a day in the life of a state research scientist looks likeMonica’s work with maternal and infant health and what other areas of research or opportunities are availableWhat skills may be beneficial to have for anyone interested in research outside of academiaMonica’s struggles with monotony in the workplace and how she was able to pull herself out of a rutHow surrounding yourself with mentors and a support network is essential in your career journeyWhat new developments are coming up for MonicaToday’s Guest​ResourcesFollow Monica on Linkedin Read more about the Pregnancy Risk Assessment and Monitoring System and the Maternal and Infant Health AssessmentLearn more about the Women, Infants, and Children programLearn more about the Worthy Women organization Support the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!In this episode, Sujani sits down with Thiv Paramsothy, an entrepreneur and founder of several companies including his newest startup, Hera Fertility. They talk about innovation in healthcare, Thiv’s experiences with creating his startups, and offer advice for public health professionals with ideas for change and an interest in entrepreneurship.You’ll LearnHow Thiv found his way into public healthWhere Thiv’s love for technology first startedThiv’s experience with promoting the adoption of electronic medical records in OntarioWhat challenges arise with implementing new changes in healthcareWhat opportunities in E-health are available for public health professionals and how sometimes, we have to create our own spacesAdvice for public health professionals with big ideas for change and an interest in entrepreneurshipHow a solid team and support network is essential in creating new products and servicesWhat Adracare is and what motivated Thiv to form the companyA quick peek into Thiv’s newest startup, Hera FertilityToday’s GuestHi 👋🏾 I'm Thiv. I love working with or founding startups to make real change happen in healthcare. My life's mission is to help patients, and providers get the care they need from the health system. The last startup (cofounded) was a telehealth practice management software (Adracare) that was sold to WELL Health Technologies. I'm on to my next startup - Hera Fertility - to revolutionize fertility financing. UWaterloo Alumni. When I'm not working, doing something with basketball or trying to be funny.​ResourcesFollow Thiv on LinkedIn Learn more about BlueDot Learn more about DoctorCareLearn more about AdracareLearn more about Thiv’s newest startup, Hera Fertility Support the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!In this episode, Sujani sits down with Kathryn Glendon, a public health specialist, professor, and life coach. They talk about Kathryn’s experiences working in the Chesprocott health district and academia, how to incorporate positive thinking in your life, and finding your way through all the twists and turns of your career path.You’ll LearnHow Kathryn found her way into public health and how the various internships and field experiences shaped her career interestsTips on how to land a job in public health with an undergraduate degreeWhy Kathryn decided to pursue a graduate degree The importance of experiencing many different things so you can better understand where your passion truly liesKathryn’s experience working with the Chesprocott health district and how her work has expanded and changed throughout the pandemicWhat a day in the life of a public health specialist looks likeHow Kathryn balances her work in the health district with academiaHow positive thinking changes your perspective and can lead to more open doorsThe biggest challenges Kathryn faced through her career and what – if anything – she would have done differentlyKathryn’s plans and goals for the futureToday’s GuestKate is a Certified Professional Coach who is dynamic and forward thinking.She hold a Master's degree in Public Health and has over 15 years of experience in community health promotion and prevention with a focus of total wellness, specializing in Planning - Policy Development - Media Relations - Community Mobilization - Program design and implementation and management. Kate assists communities, groups, and individuals to increase their quality of life. ​ResourcesFollow Kate on LinkedIn Learn more about Glendon Life Coaching Learn more about becoming a Certified Health Education SpecialistLearn more about Drug Free CommunitiesSupport the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!In this episode, Sujani shares her two commitments for 2023 and encourages you to think about your own goals and commitments! What You'll Learn from this Episode:Two goals/commitments for 2023 that Sujani has set out: Bringing together 1,000 members into The Public Health Career Club to support them to show up as their authentic selves and take their careers to the next level!Exploring opportunities to pursue writing in my own public health career.Featured on the Show:Follow Sujani on LinkedInJoin The Public Health Career ClubDalla Lana Fellowship in Journalism and Health ImpactSupport the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!In this episode, I talk about this one question we often ask ourselves at the end of the year: "Where did the year go?". I offer a solution for not feeling this way: intentionally setting time aside to reflect on the year. This is something I have done over the past 10 years and it works so well. What You'll Learn from this Episode:The template I use to conduct my reflections, which includes reflecting in these three large buckets: Things I am most proud of/happy about this past yearNew relationships I have made (or strengthening of existing ones)Books I have readI tell you the three things I am most proud of this year with PH SPOT The launch of The Public Health Career ClubOptimizing the process behind publishing these podcastsConsistently showing up on LinkedIn and writing (reaching over 300,000+ people!)Featured on the Show:Follow Sujani on LinkedInSupport the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!In this episode, Sujani sits down with Gwendolyn Roberts Francavillo, a professor at the School of Health Sciences at Marymount University and an active leader and member of the American Public Health Association. They talk about mentorship, the various paths into academia, and how Gwendolyn is working with the APHA to support the education and professional development of public health professionals.You’ll LearnHow Gwendolyn found her way to public health through her sociology degree and her experience working as a peer health educatorHow Gwendolyn’s 24+ years of work experience in public health has influenced the way she teaches and mentors studentsGwendolyn’s research interests including women’s health, public health ethics, and holistic wellnessThe importance of taking care of yourself and Gwendolyn’s work with the APHA to help public health professionals connect and growWhat led to Gwendolyn forming the Learning and Professional Development Committee of APHA’s Public Health and Health Promotion SectionWhat a day in Gwendolyn’s life looks like and how she balances her work in academia and with the APHAHow collaboration, social support, and mentorship can help you learn and expand your career opportunitiesThe biggest challenges Gwendolyn faced through her career in academia and advice she has for others considering a career in academiaThe different nontraditional ways to enter into academia and teachingToday’s GuestDr. Gwendolyn Roberts Francavillo is an experienced, tenured Associate Professor of Public Health in the School of Health Sciences at Marymount University. She has taught and conducted research at universities since 1998 with expertise in holistic stress management, public health ethics, wellness, sexuality, and global health. Dr. Francavillo has an interactive teaching approach to make any topic fun and engaging! A professional endeavor of hers is to establish an interest among her students in research methods and theoretical foundation. She was recently elected President-Elect of Marymount’s Faculty Council. Dr. Francavillo has a PhD and Master’s degree in Public Health, and is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES). One of her passions is teaching yoga to varied populations for over 20 years and is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT). She has received funding, published findings, and presented at national conferences. For APHA, for the PHEHP section, Dr. Francavillo is a Governing Councilor, Founding Chair of the Learning and Professional Development Committee, and Vice-Chair of the Membership Engagement Committee. Dr. Francavillo feels her calling is to help others embrace positivity, feel empowered to take responsibility for their own health, and be the best selves they can be!ResourcesFollow Gwendolyn on LinkedIn and learn more about Gwendolyn and her research Learn more about the APHA's Public Health Education and Health Promotion Section and foSupport the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!In this episode, Sujani sits down with Brittaney Jenkins, the founder and CEO of Jenkins Public Health Consulting. They talk about working in public health without a graduate degree, job application advice for early career professionals, and Brittaney’s experience with entrepreneurship and creating her own business.You’ll LearnHow early experiences with volunteering and job shadowing led Brittaney to pursue public healthThe pros and cons job shadowing vs. volunteering with an organizationJob application advice for early career professionals who may not have a lot of paid work experiences or a graduate degree in their field of interestHow the desire for independence led to Brittaney forming her own consulting company focusing on community outreachHow Brittaney balanced running her own business in earlier stages with working a corporate position What prompted Brittaney to move into full time work with her own businessThe biggest challenges Brittaney faced with running her own business Tips on attracting and retaining clientele for those interested in entrepreneurship and the importance of social media in this ageWhat a day in Brittaney’s life as a public health consultant looks likeToday’s GuestBrittaney Jenkins is a Public Health Practitioner, Consultant, Certified Health Education Specialist, and Mentor. She obtained a BS in Public Health from Ball State University, has over 10+ years of experience in public health, and went from NPO to CEO. Brittaney is the Founder of Jenkins Public Health Consulting, LLC, helping clients develop innovative community outreach strategies to increase awareness and engagement of public health & wellness programs, ultimately improving health outcomes. She also runs a Public Health Mentor program for current and aspiring public health professionals. Brittaney is originally from Indianapolis, IN, now residing in Birmingham, AL.ResourcesFollow Brittaney on LinkedInLearn more about volunteering with the Red CrossVisit the Jenkins Public Health Consulting website and follow them on YouTube and InstagramSupport the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!In this episode, Sujani sits down with Luis Torres, a public health tech professional. They talk about what product management is, how to break into product development as a public health professional, and how health tech will become essential to progressing in the field of public health.You’ll LearnHow Luis became interested in public health and subsequently product management and health techWhat product development and management is How health tech is apparent in healthcare beyond tangibles such as telemedicineHow health tech directly supports the major goals of public health such as education, communication, and sharing of resourcesHow to be involved in health tech and product management without having a background in technologyWhat kinds of different members can make up a team in tech developmentHow having someone with public health expertise is vital in developing new health tech How you can involve health tech and innovative practices in your current organizationWhat skillsets are important and transferable from public health to product managementWhat additional skills or training may be helpful for someone looking to enter the health tech fieldWhat a day in Luis’s life as Associate V.P. of Product at Partnership to End Addiction looks likeToday’s GuestLuis Torres focuses on improving patient access to treatment and strengthening the substance use treatment system through clinical quality improvement, practice change implementation, and clinical provider trainings. He aims to promote best practices among treatment providers and remove barriers to care for those with substance use disorders. Luis received his Bachelor of Science degree in biological sciences from Virginia Tech and his master’s degree in public health from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.ResourcesFollow Luis on LinkedIn Learn more about the courses available on General AssemblyLearn more about The Partnership to End AddictionSupport the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!In this episode, Sujani sits down with Nakia Bolden, a full time MPH student, certified health education specialist, and entrepreneur. They talk about what the CHES is and how to obtain it, working in public health with an undergraduate degree, and Nakia’s experiences starting her own health education business. You’ll LearnHow Nakia became interested in public health and what motivated her to pursue a MPHHow to start working in public health without a having a MPHWhat benefits can come out of being engaged in your profession’s community and how you can connect with these communities and networksTips on how to balance your school, work, and personal lifeWhat a day in the life of a vaccine demand strategist looks likeHow social media and infographic design skills can be fundamental to health communicationWhat a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) is The process to becoming certified and maintaining certificationWhat opportunities being certified can open for youHow Nakia experiences and handles imposter syndromeNakia’s experiences with starting her own business and her goals for I Am Health EducationWhat kinds of resources are available through I Am Health EducationToday’s GuestI am a Certified Health Education Specialist, CHES®. I have a bachelor's degree in health sciences and I am currently pursuing my Master of Public Health from Indiana State University. I have 3 years of experience in managing infectious disease programs to improve health outcomes and health equity. I am also a consultant at I Am Health Education, our vision is to "Promote and advocate for health equity and the Certified Health Education Specialist, CHES®, Certification"ResourcesVisit Nakia’s website, I Am Health EducationLearn more about The Black Ladies in Public Health Organization Learn more about The Certified Health Education Specialist Certification and the Companion Guide for Health Education SpecialistsBuy the book 101 Essays That Will Change The Way You ThinkSupport the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!In this episode, Sujani sits down with Jeff Button, a public health emergency preparedness specialist. They discuss Jeff’s career journey from working as a personal trainer to working in public health, what inspired him to pursue public health, and what public health emergency preparedness encompasses. You’ll LearnJeff’s experience as a personal health trainer and what led him to the public health fieldWhat made Jeff choose to pursue public health over physical therapyHow to find what your passion is and signs/indicators that you may not be working in the right fieldHow work experiences can inspire you and better help you understand your field of interestsAdvice on how to start making connections in a new professional fieldThe importance of making connections and how they can open doors in your careerWhat public health emergency preparedness isWhat a day in the life of a Public Health Emergency Preparedness Planner looks likeJeff’s current work in addressing health disparities that have been exacerbated by COVID and his experience working in a newly established teamHow intraprofessional and interprofessional collaboration come in to play in public healthToday’s GuestJeff Button is an early-career public health professional who discovered his passion for health promotion and disease prevention during his time working in the fitness and healthcare industries. Upon graduating with his Master of Public Health (MPH) degree in December 2019 from the UTHealth School of Public Health in Dallas, Jeff was determined to find a job in the public health field that focused on improving population health and well-being. Currently, he is employed with a local health department within Collin County, Texas, where he was selected to serve as the first Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) Planner for a state-funded COVID-19 Health Disparities Grant. In Jeff’s current role, he provides leadership on a team that analyzes the root causes of pandemic-driven health disparities and builds multi-sector partnerships with community stakeholders to improve the health of vulnerable populations. Jeff is passionate about reducing health disparities and addressing social determinants of health that affect health outcomes among high-risk and underserved communities. Jeff is a proud member of the American Public Health Association (APHA) who enjoys networking with other like-minded public health professionals and sharing his unique journey in the field of public health.ResourcesFollow Jeff on LinkedIn Learn more about the The Medical Reserve Corps and Administration for Strategic Preparedness and ResponseSupport the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!In this episode, Sujani sits down with Maudra Brown, the founder and CEO of MRB Public Health Consulting. They discuss Maudra’s various work experiences in public health, her transition from working in government to creating her own consulting firm, and how taking risks and believing in her passions has led to Maudra finding success in entrepreneurship. You’ll LearnHow Maudra found her way to the public health fieldA brief overview of the public health and tropical medicine program at Tulane UniversityTips on how to find your niche in public health and the importance of trying new and unique experiencesMaudra’s experience leading a new public health program right out of graduationWhy Maudra moved from her directorial role in government to creating her own consulting firmHow Maudra’s passion for caring for children and communities of her interest led to pursuing entrepreneurship How Maudra has found success with her company and creating sustainable partnershipsHow exploring non-traditional partnerships has helped communities and clients that Maudra has worked withWhat a day in the life of a chief health strategist looks likeAdvice for students and early professionals and why believing in yourself is at the core of building a fulfilling careerToday’s GuestCombining over a decade of public health expertise with lived experiences internationally and domestically, Maudra champions public health in innovative ways, focusing on non-traditional partnerships and incorporating best practices with independent thought leadership. Maudra holds a Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Performance from The College of Charleston, in Charleston, South Carolina and a Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine in International Health and Sustainable Development from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. She is certified and credentialed in both health systems and public health arenas, a unique and specialized expertise that not many in this industry have.As MRB's Chief Health Strategist, Maudra helps communities effectively integrate and practically navigate public health.ResourcesLearn more about MRB Public Health Consulting on their website or contact them by email Follow MRB Public Health Consulting on ​​Instagram, Youtube, LinkedIn, Twitter, and FacebookLearn more about Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical MedicineSupport the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!In this episode, Sujani sits down with Brock Turner, a health and human sciences educator at Purdue University. They talk about transitioning careers, Brock’s passion for health and education, and where continuous learning fits in your career.You’ll LearnBrock’s career journey from working in construction, project management, to health educationHow Brock’s passion for bettering the lives of others led him to the field of public healthHow having children and building a family changed Brock’s perspective on his careerBrock’s experience transitioning from a well established career to going back to school and working in a new fieldHow to make this transition smoother How skill sets can transfer even across seemingly different occupationsWhat a day in the life of a health and human sciences extension educator looks likeHow the Certified Health Education Specialist credential has helped Brock in his careerWhy continuous learning is important for educators in this constantly changing environmentWhy it was important to Brock to be involved in university committees that influence change that impacts students and others on campusToday’s GuestBrock Turner is a Health and Human Science Educator for Purdue University Extension in Indiana. He holds a Master of Public Health and Master of Science in Health Education degree from Purdue University Global. He is also a NCHEC-Certified Health Education Specialist and NFPT-Certified Personal Trainer. As a Health and Human Science educator, Brock strives to improve the lives and livelihoods of those within his community by bringing evidence-based education from Purdue University to the people. He focuses his educational programming in areas of nutrition, financial resource management, human development, and health and wellness. Brock transitioned into the Health Education field after spending 15 years working in project management, project sales, procurement, and retail sales. He loves to connect with people in order to make a lasting and positive impact on their lives.ResourcesFollow Brock on LinkedIn Learn more about Purdue UniversityLearn more about the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) credentialLearn more about the course Moving Past Change Fatigue to the Growth Edge Support the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!In this episode, Sujani sits down with Sarah Labuda, a physician and medical epidemiologist focusing on global health. They discuss Sarah’s passion for both global health and clinical practice, how Sarah found her way to public health, and advice for students who are mapping out their own career paths. You’ll LearnSarah’s experiences working in pediatrics and global healthWhat inspired Sarah to pursue a career in global healthAdvice for students who are interested in pursuing a career in global healthWhat learning resources are available for gaining skills needed in public healthWhat a day in Sarah’s life looks likeThe importance of asking questions and speaking to others working in fields that you are interested inThe importance of self reflection and determining your core values and goalsHow you can gain more experience in global health Today’s GuestDr. Sarah Labuda is a physician and medical epidemiologist with a passion for global health and public health practice, clinical medicine, and helping students and trainees planning for satisfying and impactful careers in global health. She has practiced urgent care and full-scope general pediatrics in Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Lousiana; provided specialty care to children with sickle cell disease in Angola; and worked in public health at the state, national, and international levels focusing on HIV, Tuberculosis, Hansen’s Disease, and malaria control. She completed both her undergraduate and medical degrees at Texas A&M University; Pediatric Residency at the University of Arkansas for the Medical Sciences in Little Rock, Arkansas; Masters of Public Health degree with certificate in global health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; and Pediatric Infectious Diseases Fellowship at Tulane University in New Orleans.ResourcesVisit CourseEraRead Dr. Lawrence Loh's blog post about the global health gambleFollow Sarah on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and LinkedInSubscribe to Sarah's website Support the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!In this episode, Sujani sits down with Alice Simniceanu, an infectious disease epidemiologist at the World Health Organization. They discuss Alice’s career journey and current work, the importance of mentorship, and advice on how to land your dream public health job. You’ll LearnHow Alice became interested in the field of public health and more specifically, infection prevention and controlAlice’s career journey from working in a hospital setting to a global setting How reaching out can help you find your passion and open doorsTips on how to sell yourself in interviews even if you may not have extensive experienceWhat a day in Alice’s life looks atAlice’s experience working in infection control during the COVID pandemicThe biggest challenges Alice has faced through her careerThe importance of finding good mentors in your careerToday’s GuestAlice Simniceanu is a public health professional in global public health and epidemiologist in infectious and emerging diseases, outbreak preparedness and response at WHO. She has experience in hospital epidemiology and infection prevention and control in diverse health care organizations working at international, national and sub-national levels. She holds an MPH from Queen’s University in Canada and is currently doing her PhD in Global Health at the University of Geneva. ResourcesFollow Alice on LinkedIn Read Alice’s blog post: Public Health Vs. Infection Control Learn more about OpenWHO Learn more about GEMSupport the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!In this episode, Sujani sits down with Stephanie Verna, a former physical education and health teacher and current public health professional. They discuss Stephanie’s career journey, how she took the leap of pursuing public health, and the importance of living without regret.You’ll LearnStephanie’s experience as a teacher and a coach and her passion for educationWhat motivated Stephanie to change career paths and pursue public health Stephanie’s interest in sports health and preventing injuryHow the pandemic impacted Stephanie’s education and careerStephanie’s experience going back to school, the biggest challenges that she faced, and how she managed themThe importance of fully utilizing resources available to you in educational institutes, such as career centersHow networking can open doors for you to get to your dream careerAdvice for others who are thinking about taking the next step in their career pathToday’s GuestStephanie Verna is a Program and Research Manager at one of the CDC’s currently funded injury control research centers-Injury Prevention Research Center at Emory University located in Atlanta, Georgia. Stephanie’s research interests include a multitude of injury topics such as traumatic brain injuries, concussions, and transportation safety. In addition, she is working on a phase 3 national exercise clinical trial, SPARX3 that investigates the effects of moderate and high-intensity aerobic exercise on disease progression in untreated patients with Parkinson’s.Previously, Stephanie was a middle school Physical Education and Health teacher for over a decade and a women’s lacrosse coach at the middle/high school levels for 18 years. She left her wonderful education and coaching position at a middle school to attend graduate school at Emory University during the pandemic in the fall of 2020. She graduated in May 2022 with a master's in public health from the behavioral, social, and health education sciences department with an injury prevention certificate. Additionally, she acquired her certified health educational specialist (CHES) certification. Stephanie’s passions include educating, mentoring, and coaching other graduate and undergraduate students. She hopes to continue working within the space of injury and violence prevention but hopes to reach her goal of participating in sports related TBI/concussion research in the future. ResourcesFollow Stephanie on LinkedIn Watch the documentary Big Hits Broken DreamsBuy the book The Top Five Regrets of the Dying: A Life Transformed by the Dearly DepartingSupport the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!Since the launch of PH SPOT in 2017, we've been working to answer this question: How do we support and guide you in building your dream public health career?What we've learned over the years is that the answer lies here: PEOPLE. NETWORK. COMMUNITY.As much as career strategies, job application tips, and job preparation are important in building your dream career, the number one thing that's THE KEY to career success and satisfaction is having the right people around you. This then ultimately puts you down the path to building your dream career.This holds true regardless of whether you are a student, a new grad, early in your career, mid-career, or feel pretty established.By leveraging the power of community, we are launching The Public Health Career Club on October 19, 2022!Listen to this episode as Sujani tells you more about how the Club was born and everything that led up to the creation of this new experience.Our mission is to create the largest and most supportive global community for public health, focused specifically on building your dream career. Learn more here: FAQs about the ClubSupport the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!In this episode, Sujani sits down with Ritika Tiwari, a lecturer in Public Health at the University of Greenwich. They discuss Ritika’s education and career journey, her research interests, and her work in various countries around the world.You’ll LearnRitika’s education journey and what pushed her into the field of public healthRitika’s work and research in various areas of the worldHow Ritika’s background in business management and human resources connect to her work in public healthHow the pandemic has affected the public health systemWhat a day in Ritika’s life looks likeRitika’s experience with teaching and how her work experience has helped herThe importance of mentorship for students Tips for listeners who may be thinking of pursuing an education or career in another part of the worldRitika’s goals and plans in social entrepreneurship in public healthCareer advice for early career professionals and studentsToday’s GuestRitika Tiwari is a Lecturer in Public Health at University of Greenwich, United Kingdom. Ritika is teaching on the BSc in Public Health and MSc in Global Public Health courses, including modules such as Introduction to Public Health, Behaviour Change, Public Health, Policy, & Politics and Poverty, Inequality & Social Exclusion. Ritika’s research mainly focuses on health workforce estimation and forecasting. She joined University of Greenwich in 2022 and previously worked at the Stellenbosch University (Cape Town, South Africa) and Public Health Foundation of India (New Delhi, India). She earned her Ph.D. degree in Health Management from Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Pune, India.ResourcesFollow Ritika on Twitter and LinkedIn Learn more about Ritika's researchLearn more about the Public Health Foundation of IndiaWatch Arunachalam Muruganantham's Ted TalkOther PH SPOT resources:Share ideas for the podcastNever heard of a podcast before? Read this guide we put together to help you get set upBe notified when new episodes come out and receive hand-picked public health opportunities every week by joining the PH SPOT communityContribute to the public health career blogUpcoming course on infographicsLearn moSupport the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!In this episode, Sujani sits down with Deborah Thomson, the founder of One Health Lessons. They discuss the various titles Deborah has held, Deborah’s areas of interest in public health, and the vision and mission of One Health Lessons. You’ll LearnDeborah’s career journey from teaching, to practicing as a veterinarian, to working in public healthWhat a day in Deborah’s life looks likeTips on time management How Toastmasters helps with communication skills,What One Health isHow One Health Lessons came to beThe goal of One Health LessonsHow listeners can help with this missionWhat's next for One HealthAdvice for others passionate about starting an initiativeDeborah’s experience writing “The Art of Science Communication”Deborah’s career goals for the futureToday’s GuestDr. Deborah Thomson is author of The Art of Science Communication and the Chair of the World Veterinary Association's One Health Education Subgroup. In addition, she founded an organization that inspires children and adults around the world to value the interconnection between human health and the health of the environment, plants, and animals (called One Health Lessons). She has served as a Science Policy Advisor in the United States Congress and is also a clinical veterinarian and award-winning public speaker. Her articles have been printed in multiple publications, including The Lancet Planetary Health.ResourcesLearn more about Deborah and follow her on LinkedIn Learn more about One Health LessonsLearn more about ToastmastersBuy The Art of Science Communication: Sharing Knowledge with Students, the Public, and PolicymakersFollow One Health Lessons on Youtube, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and FacebookOther PH SPOT resources:Share ideas for the podcastNever heard of a podcast before? Read this guide we put together to help you get set upSupport the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!This is a QUICK CAREER TIPS episode: short podcast episodes spotlighting a career tip for public health professionals.Today’s career tip is on how to create and sustain your network of public health professionals.Whenever people talk about career growth, the word “networking” is bound to come up. It’s become a standard part of our career culture, but it’s not always a straightforward process: it tends to require a lot of work, especially building and maintaining that network. In today’s Quick Career Tip episode we’ll be talking about what it takes to do exactly that, and how you can do so in a way that eventually pays off.What You'll Learn from this Episode:How to create a public health network through the spaces and people you already knowWhy the key to strengthening your public health network is to “give before you receive”Featured on the Show:Quick Career Tips – Here Are The Questions You Need To Ask At Your Next Informational InterviewABC’s Of Informational Interviews In The Public Health World, With Shanna ShulmanThe Public Health Career Club 🌟Leave us a reviewOn SpotifyOn Apple PodcastOther Resources:Share ideas for the podcast: Fill out this formBe notified when new episodes come out, and receive hand-picked public health opportunities every week by joining the PH SPOT community.Contribute to the public health career blog: www.phspot.ca/contributeSupport the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!In this episode, Sujani sits down with Ted Witek Jr., the director of the DrPH program at Dalla Lana. They discuss Ted’s diverse career journey, his research work, and Canada's first DrPH program.You’ll LearnTed’s career from pharmaceutics to directing the DrPH at Dalla LanaTed’s research interests and achievementsHow building relationships is important in your careerThe value of seizing opportunities and keeping an open mindWhat Ted has learned in his position from directing the DrPH programA brief summary about Dalla Lana's DrPH programWhat’s next for the DrPH programToday’s GuestDr. Witek served Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals for nearly 25 years where he held various pharmacology and clinical research positions, including Director of Respiratory and Immunology Clinical Research leading to his roles as President and CEO of Boehringer Ingelheim’s Canadian and Portuguese operations. He led the Global Operating Team for Spiriva serving as Co-Chair of the Global Alliance with Pfizer.Dr. Witek also was Chief Scientific Officer & Senior Vice President, Corporate Partnerships, at Innoviva (Formerly Theravance, Inc.). He also served on the Board of Directors of Canada’s Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (Rx&D) including Chair of the Health Technology Assessment and Public Relations Committee. He was appointed to the Ontario Health Innovation Council and advisor to the Design for Health Program at OCAD University. He is currently an Adjunct Professor & Senior Fellow at the University of Toronto’s School of Public Health & Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy. He serves as Director of the DrPH program. Dr. Witek is the author of more than 100 scientific papers as well as several chapters and books.Dr. Witek holds a Doctor of Public Health from Columbia University and a Master of Public Health from Yale University and an MBA from Henley Management College in the UK.ResourcesConnect with Ted on LinkedInFollow Ted on Twitter Learn more about Ted Learn more about Dalla Lana’s DrPH programListen to the previous episode about the DrPH program with Erica Di RuggieroOther PH SPOT resources:Share ideas for the podcast: Fill out this formNever heard of a podcast before? Read this guide we put together to help you get set up.Be notified when new episodes come out, and receive hSupport the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!In this episode, Sujani sits down with Pegeen Walsh, the former Executive Director for the Ontario Public Health Association. They discuss her 43 year long career, her accomplishments in the public health field, and how to take initiative and seize opportunities in your professional journey.You’ll LearnPegeen’s path from her political science degree to her roles in government and nonprofit organizationsThe various public health projects Pegeen has been involved inWhat tools are available to find your talents to guide your careerThe importance of having diverse perspectives in furthering public health Advice for new professionals on taking initiative in their workWhat Pegeen would have done differently in her career pathHow Pegeen is involved in public health even in her retirementToday’s GuestPegeen Walsh recently retired as the Executive Director for the Ontario Public Health Association where she oversaw advocacy efforts in public health, training, capacity building and knowledge transfer and exchange initiatives within the province and beyond. Prior to OPHA, Pegeen led the design and delivery of a wide range of programs, policies, partnerships, and research that supported individual and community health and well-being as an executive with the federal, provincial and non-profit sectors. As Ontario Regional Director with Health Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada and Director of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion at the Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion, she oversaw various health promotion initiatives focussed on seniors, early child development, healthy eating, tobacco control, healthy communities, injury prevention and more. As Director of Public Policy at YMCA Canada, she developed government relations training and strategies. She now serves as an active OPHA volunteer supporting various initiatives including a bridging program for international medical graduates and some public health consulting projects.ResourcesConnect with Pegeen on LinkedInLearn about the Parliamentary Internship ProgrammeLearn about One Smart WorldBuy Promoting the Health of Older AdultsLearn about The Learning Enrichment FoundationLearn about the Public Health Ontario OrganizationOther PH SPOT resources:Share ideas for the podcast: Fill out this formNever heard of a podcast before? Read this guide we put together to help you get set up.Be notified when new episodes coSupport the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!In this episode, Sujani sits down with Wubrest Bekele, a physician, health media producer, medical law and public health student amongst other titles. Wubrest takes us through a journey of her multiple careers and discusses how all of her experiences and perspective have led her to the field of public health.You’ll LearnWubrest’s start as a physician and the many detours she has taken to arrive at her MPH program in Yale. How volunteering in Wubrest’s early life played an important role in shaping her perspectives and goalsA brief overview of Ethiopia’s healthcare system and how it motivated Wubrest to work in community healthWhat lessons Wubrest learned from her various work experiences in different fieldsHow lessons can be learned from all experiences, whether good or badWhy Wubrest chose to pursue her graduate degrees in the US What factors Wubrest took into consideration when applying for schools as an international studentToday’s GuestWubrest Bekele is a Medical Doctor from Ethiopia currently enrolled in the MPH postgraduate studies at Yale School of Public Health and LL.M. Medical Law and Ethics at The University of Law. She is an Acumen Leadership Program Fellow, Board of Directors in philanthropy, and winner of the Ethiopian Medical Women Association’s ‘Celebrating Women in Medicine 2020 Award’. In her five years of work experience, Dr. Bekele led a newly built rural hospital to reach a commendable milestone of better patient care and efficient operations as a clinician and quality improvement head. She Co-founded the first health-focused media in Ethiopia, comprising 24- hour satellite TV, 24-hour radio, call center & online media, and created over 200 hours of educational TV & Radio content on COVID-19, reaching ~ 50 million population. Dr. Bekele worked in the national COVID-19 task force leading the Risk Communication and Community Engagement team at the Federal Ministry of Health. Currently, she is working as a summer intern at a healthcare VC firm and leading a research project on Childhood cancer in Ethiopia from the grant she won at Yale Collaborative Action Project. ResourcesConnect with Wubrest on LinkedIn For more information on international studies, listen to the previous episode with Nikita Sandeep Wagle Other PH SPOT resources:Share ideas for the podcast: Fill out this formNever heard of a podcast before? Read this guide we put together to help you get set up.Be notified when new episodes come out, and receive hand-picked public health opportunities every week by joining the PH SPOT community.Support the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!This is a QUICK CAREER TIPS episode: short podcast episodes spotlighting a career tip for public health professionals.Today’s career tip is on how to get into the hidden job market! The reality is that not every job that’s available out there is advertised publicly by employers, which can make the job search all the more frustrating for those looking to break into a specific sector or role. If you want to gain access to hundreds of jobs that you might not have otherwise seen through traditional, online job boards, then today’s Quick Career Tip episode is for you.Specifically, you’ll learn:What the hidden job market is and how it can help you find your next jobHow you can access the hidden job market utilizing tools that you’re already familiar with What to do once you’ve accessed the hidden job market!Mentioned in today's episode:Quick Career Tips – Here Are The Questions You Need To Ask At Your Next Informational InterviewABC’s Of Informational Interviews In The Public Health World, With Shanna ShulmanThe Public Health Career Club 🌟LEAVE A REVIEW! If you are listening to this on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast or Spotify, please do leave us a review so that other public health professionals know what to expect and also for us to know how you are enjoying these episodes!Support the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!In this episode, Sujani is joined by Tara and Micaela to give a pep talk for all those who might be experiencing a slump in their education or career. They discuss how to overcome self doubt and the benefits of celebrating yourself.You’ll LearnHow every skill or experience can be valuable in a field as diverse as public healthTips on how to change your mindset to counter self doubt so you don’t sell yourself shortMicaela and Tara’s personal experiences with imposter syndrome and how they have been able to deal with itHow celebrating small wins and believing in yourself is important both personally and for the community and your peersWhy you should apply for jobs even if you may not meet 100% of the requirementsThe role that self reflection plays in overcoming self doubt and taking the next step forwardThe importance of building a support network who are invested in you and want to see you thriveHow career coaching can be useful for any public health professionResourcesListen to the previous episode with public health career and life coach Marissa McKool Other PH SPOT resources:Share ideas for the podcast: Fill out this formNever heard of a podcast before? Read this guide we put together to help you get set up.Be notified when new episodes come out, and receive hand-picked public health opportunities every week by joining the PH SPOT community.Contribute to the public health career blog: www.phspot.ca/contributeUpcoming course on infographics: phspot.ca/infographicsLearn more about PH Spot's 6-week training programSupport the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!In this episode, Sujani sits down with Neal Patel, a current MPH student and former teacher. Neal shares an inspiring story of what led him to pursue an MPH degree and how those in public health can take action in helping their communities of interest.You’ll LearnHow Neal’s experience as an educator inspired him to pursue public healthNeal’s experience of taking action and organizing community health projects What skills an MBA can provide for those who want to make changes in the health of their communityHow business administration plays a role in addressing health disparities in the communityAdvice from Neal on how to find your niche in public health Advice from Neal on how to move past contemplation and into actionHow Neal’s background as a teacher has helped and shaped his public health careerWhat teachers can learn from public health, and what public health can learn from teachersToday’s GuestI was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, but grew up in Charleston, SC. I graduated from Clemson University in May of 2017 with a BS in Genetics and a BS in Biochemistry. I was not super clear as to what direction I wanted to pursue post-graduation – I was thinking about medical school, but after speaking with several physicians about their experiences, I wanted to delay and try something new. So after college, I moved to Tulsa, OK to serve as a Teach For America Corps Member. I taught 7th/8th grade Math at Hale Junior High School. My experience in the classroom exposed me to the breadth of disparity in health outcomes/experiences for my students/families compared to many of my peers in college. As I transitioned to work as the Manager of Alumni Leadership for Teach For America, where I did a fair amount of organizing work for community health initiatives, I began to see how systemic these disparities were, so I decided to learn more. I'm currently at the Yale School of Public Health pursuing my MPH in Health Policy, where I have further developed my passions in data-driven solutions, health economics, policy evaluation, and health communications.As I continue on this path, I hope to connect with more folks in the healthcare world to ideate and reimagine health in our country. Happy to chat whenever! ResourcesLearn more about Teach For AmericaConnect with Neal on LinkedIn Other PH SPOT resources:Share ideas for the podcast: Fill out this formNever heard of a podcast before? Read this guide we put together to help you get set up.Be notified when new episodes come out, and receive hand-picked public health opportunities every week by joining the PH SPOT community.CoSupport the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!In this episode, Sujani sits down with Kimberly Jocelyn, a Public Health Analyst at the CDC. They discuss Kimberly’s path into public health, how she has used networking throughout her career, and give advice on how to establish and build connections.You’ll LearnHow Kimberly discovered public health and what motivated her to pursue a combination MPH/MSW degreeWhat career opportunities are made possible by the MPH/MSW dual degree What kinds of jobs Kimberly has held and how she identified and landed those opportunitiesThe role that networking plays in navigating the public health realm Advice from Kimberly on reaching out and establishing professional relationshipsAdvice from Kimberly on maintaining new connections The importance of positivity in supporting a team and building connectionsToday's GuestKimberly Jocelyn holds a Master of Public Health and a Master of Science in Social Work from Columbia University. As a social worker and public health practitioner, she creates sustainable change and advances strategies to promote and strengthen human service delivery effectively. Her area of expertise lies in developing programs, setting metrics, and managing large-scale operations, teams, and federal grants at the state and local levels. As a Program Manager in New York City, she develops policies, operationalizes equity, protects and promotes safety and well-being, and eliminates the health and social barriers. It is her firm belief that networking and collaboration deliver results. ResourcesRead the NY Times article featuring Kimberly Connect with Kimberly on LinkedIn Listen to the previous episode featuring Tieisha WaltersOther PH SPOT resources:Share ideas for the podcast: Fill out this formNever heard of a podcast before? Read this guide we put together to help you get set up.Be notified when new episodes come out, and receive hand-picked public health opportunities every week by joining the PH SPOT community.Contribute to the public health career blog: www.phspot.ca/contributeUpcoming course on infographics: phspot.ca/infographicsLearn more about PH Spot's 6-week training programSupport the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!In this episode, Sujani sits down with Marissa McKool, the founder and creator of McKool Coaching and the Redefining Rest Podcast for Public Health Professionals. They discuss burnout in public health professionals and how life coaching can be helpful in working through burnout.You’ll LearnMarissa’s journey from working directly in public health to life coaching Why Marissa decided to start McKool Coaching and the Redefining Rest Podcast for Public Health ProfessionalsWhat burnout is and why it is such a big issue among public health professionalsHow changing your mindset is the first step in working through burnout and other adversitiesActionable tips on how to start working through burnout and getting more restHow important it is for public health professionals to branch out and continue innovating through different fieldsToday’s GuestMarissa McKool, MPH, is a former public health leader turned career and life coach who helps public health professionals eliminate their burnout without quitting their job. Marissa received her MPH from Emory University and held several leadership roles in government and academia working on sexual violence prevention and reproductive health, before finding herself burning out. Through coaching, she was able to eliminate her stress without anything outside of her changing and now helps others do the same. She is also the host of the Redefining Rest Podcast for Public Health Professionals, where she helps listeners reduce their workload, create more time, get more rest, and feel better.ResourcesConnect with Marissa on LinkedIn and InstagramSign up for McKool Coaching’s Burnout Recovery Mini-course Listen to Marissa's podcast Listen to Kara Loewentheil's podcastLearn more about the book Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress CycleListen to the previous episode with Leshawn BenedictListen to the previous episode with Nitin Mohan.Other PH SPOT resources:Share ideas for the podcast: Fill out this formNever heard of a podcast before? Read this guide we put together to help you get set up.Be notified when new episodes come out, and Support the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text! Today’s career tip is on informational interviews! Knowing what kind of career you want to one day have can give you a strong sense of control and peace of mind. It might not seem easy to conceptualize something that far into the future, but today's Quick Career Tips episode will help you do exactly that.What You'll Learn from this Episode:What a career vision isWhy it’s important that you draft a career visionHow you can get started with drafting a career vision that guides your next career move!Featured on the Show:Design your dream public health career: A career program to help you gain clarity and confidence in your career path and take action towards your goals.Leave us a reviewOn SpotifyOn Apple PodcastOther Resources:Share ideas for the podcast: Fill out this formBe notified when new episodes come out, and receive hand-picked public health opportunities every week by joining the PH SPOT community.Contribute to the public health career blog: www.phspot.ca/contributeSupport the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!

Tell us what you thought of this episode - send us a text!In this episode, Sujani is back again with Kira Riehm, a psychiatric epidemiologist and a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Epidemiology at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. This time, they talk about using Twitter as a tool for public health professionals and the benefits and opportunities the platform has in store. You’ll LearnWhy Kira first started to use Twitter for professional purposesWhat Kira mainly uses Twitter for and how she navigates through the platformHow Kira’s usage of Twitter changed since the pandemicHow others working in public health have used Twitter How Twitter can be used to find various career opportunities and build professional relationshipsHow Kira found her postdoc work through TwitterWhat challenges using Twitter professionally may presentHow Twitter differs from LinkedIn as a platform for public health professionals and researchersToday’s GuestKira is a psychiatric epidemiologist and a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Epidemiology at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. The primary aim of her research is to understand the causes, correlates, and consequences of mental health disorders among adolescents. Drawing on a wide variety of data sources, she designs research studies that involve the application of rigorous epidemiologic methods to answer pressing questions about youth mental health and substance use. Her work has been published in JAMA Psychiatry, Pediatrics, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, and American Journal of Public Health.ResourcesFollow Kira on Twitter and LinkedIn Follow Julia Raifman on TwitterFollow Kerry Keyes on Twitter Listen to the previous episode with Kira. Subscribe to the Johns Hopkins Newsletter Follow the On Canada Project on Instagram Other PH SPOT resources:Share ideas for the podcast: Fill out this formNever heard of a podcast before? Read this guide we put together to help you get set up.Be notified when new episodes come out, and receive hand-picked public hSupport the showJoin The Public Health Career Club: A global membership community where public health professionals connect, learn, and support each other in building meaningful and impactful careers. Go from feeling confused, alone and overwhelmed, to feeling confident and in control of your life and career!