If you want to make a meaningful impact across populations on both a local and global scale, a public health degree opens the door to exciting opportunities ��� from tackling disease outbreaks to improving your community���s wellness. Public health employees in the healthcare, government, education, and nonprofit sectors, doing work that upholds and/or directly shapes policies.

Professionals with a public health degree commonly pursue a few of the following roles:

• Biostatistician: Analyzes statistical data to identify trends.
• Epidemiologist: Investigates disease outbreaks, patterns, and causes.
• Public Health Educator: Creates programs to improve community health.
• Health Services Manager: Oversees healthcare facility operations and staff.
• Substance Abuse Counselor: Assists individuals in overcoming addiction.
• Environmental Health Specialist: Monitors and ensures environmental safety.
• Public Health Research Assistant: Supports research through data analysis.

It���s crucial to recognize that the type of job you can pursue in the field of public health greatly depends on your education. Certain sectors ��� such as healthcare and government ��� may also require relevant work experience. Enrolling in a Bachelor of Science in Public Health program or a Master of Public Health program allows you to hone your knowledge and skills through hands-on experience.

What is Public Health?

Public health is the branch of science dedicated to protecting and enhancing the health of populations ��� ranging from local neighborhoods to entire global regions. This multidisciplinary approach brings together professionals from diverse backgrounds who leverage their education, research, and policy making skills to assess, prevent, and address health threats on a daily basis.

By investigating factors such as environmental conditions, community settings, and social determinants, public health experts create and carry out measures designed to improve health outcomes. The field is a crucial cornerstone for essential initiatives, such as vaccination campaigns, educational outreach, and the maintenance of regulatory standards, all of which aim to foster healthier communities and curb widespread disease.

Public health also plays a pivotal role in addressing health disparities and enhancing healthcare access for underserved populations. Its broad scope touts significant achievements such as the eradication of smallpox, reduction of tobacco use, and implementation of strategies to improve maternal health outcomes. Through its proactive approach, public health continues to drive progress and contribute to a healthier future for all.

Skills Needed for Public Health Careers

Pursuing a career in public health requires a unique blend of skills tailored to address health challenges. This might mean monitoring a novel influenza strain at the start of winter or working toward reducing a sudden uptick in overdoses; each day is unique. Some of the most common skills you���ll need as a public health professional include a few of the following:

• Communication: Effective communication is essential for conveying critical health information and engaging diverse audiences. Public health professionals constantly collaborate with healthcare providers, organizations, government officials, and the general public, so all information must be disseminated accurately.
• Leadership: Managing teams, driving initiatives, and coordinating efforts across stakeholders and organizations are crucial for achieving impactful public health outcomes.
• Research: Designing, conducting, and interpreting studies is essential for informing evidence-based practices and policies in public health.
• Adaptability: Public health professionals must navigate dynamic landscapes, meaning they must be able to swiftly respond to emerging health challenges. Flexibility allows for resilient responses to unforeseen crises like disease outbreaks or natural disasters.
• Problem-Solving: Analyzing complex health issues, developing innovative solutions, and pinpointing community health needs are essential tasks for public health workers. Quick problem-solving also allows for effective crisis management and response in critical situations.
• Advocacy and Cultural Competence: Influencing policy decisions, championing community health needs, and ensuring equitable access to healthcare resources are vital aspects of advocacy. Public health servants are also expected to understand diverse cultural perspectives.

Where Can Bachelor���s in Public Health Graduates Work?

A Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) is an undergraduate program that prepares you to find entry-level employment (though some organizations hire BSPH graduates for mid-level roles) in sectors such as government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and academic institutions. When selecting a BSPH program, consider its key components, such as the learning format (online or in-person), program length, and transferability of your credits.

Graduates with a BSPH may find employment and conduct the following tasks across a few of these :

• Healthcare Facilities: Assist in management or serve as public health educators within hospitals, clinics, and community health centers.
• Government Agencies: Implement public health policies across local, state, or federal levels, conduct outreach programs, and manage data analysis.
• Nonprofit Organizations (Local Focus): Contribute to initiatives aimed at community health improvement, disease prevention, and health education.
• Academic Institutions: Assist with developing and implementing health education programs in public schools or universities.
• Research Institutions: Support research efforts in public health, epidemiology, or health behavior studies.

Credits from a Bachelor���s in Public Health may transfer directly to a Master of Public Health program. Earning a public health degree is also an excellent stepping stone for medical school as it provides a solid foundation in understanding health systems, epidemiology, and community health.

Where do Master of Public Health Graduates Work?

A Master of Public Health (MPH) is a graduate program that helps prepare you to find mid-level and advanced positions in sectors such as government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and academic institutions.

Those with a Master of Public Health have advanced skills and knowledge that qualify them for leadership roles in public health practice, policy, and research. This is typically due to the broader range of specializations in graduate programs. Common employment settings for MPH graduates include:

• Government Agencies: Graduates with a Master���s in Public Health are more likely to spearhead program development, policy formation, or epidemiological investigations than those with an undergraduate degree.
• Global Health Organizations: Directly address global health challenges such as infectious diseases, maternal and child health, and public health emergencies.
• Healthcare Administration: Oversee healthcare programs or departments within hospitals or healthcare systems, focusing on operational efficiency and program implementation to enhance population health outcomes.
• Academic Institutions: Primarily lead or assist with research efforts in public health, epidemiology, or health behavior studies within universities, research institutes, or think tanks.
• Nonprofit Organizations (Global and National Focus): Advocate for health equity, develop community health initiatives, and address specific health issues affecting vulnerable populations. Contrasted to BSPH graduates, MPH graduates are often better equipped to navigate roles that extend beyond local communities and encompass broader-reaching initiatives.

Earn Your BSPH or MPH at WCU

Looking to enroll in a public health degree program? To help you fit your education into your
busy schedule, 返字心頭 offers an online Bachelor of Science in Public Health
program and an online Master of Public Health program. Both programs allow you to earn your
degree at an Accelerated pace or Working Professional pace to accommodate your needs.

Learn more about the BSPH and MPH program to get started on your exciting career journey.

The post Jobs You Do Get With a Public Health Degree appeared first on 返字心頭.

返字心頭 boasts a special connection with its alumni, with many returning to share their expertise and experiences with current students. Ashley S., an enthusiastic advocate for nursing and public health, exemplifies this bond as she steps into her role as a Public Health instructor at her alma mater. 

Reflecting on her journey back to campus, Ashley expressed her unwavering commitment to 返字心頭: 

“There’s no other place I’d want to come back to teach. When Dean Joy Beckford offered me the opportunity to do adjunct work in Public Health, there was no doubt in my mind ��� I’m coming back.” 

Having graduated and practiced for six years before returning, Ashley now finds herself in a fulfilling position where she can give back to the institution that shaped her career. 

Transitioning from student to instructor, Ashley emphasizes the importance of the support system provided by 返字心頭. 

“Moving from adjunct into an instructor role has been seamless,��� she said. ���They were very supportive of me advancing my degree, and now I feel ready to teach here as well.” 

Ashley’s passion for teaching extends to her dedication to student success, which is evident in her utilization of campus resources. She highlights the comprehensive ATI program, mentorship opportunities, and the invaluable support offered by the nursing academic specialists.��

“As an instructor, I encourage students to make use of these resources, ensuring they have the tools they need to succeed,��� she said. 

In discussing her role in Public Health education, Ashley emphasizes the shift in mindset required. 

“Public Health nursing is a completely different mindset than bedside nursing. It’s about focusing on the entire well-being of the community and hopefully preventing illness before they get to requiring bedside care,��� Ashley added. 

With recent global events highlighting the significance of public health, Ashley aims to instill in her students a broader understanding of healthcare beyond individual patient care. 

For those considering a career in nursing or healthcare, Ashley offers simple yet powerful advice: “Just do it. Follow your dreams and pursue nursing if it’s where your heart lies.” 

As she navigates her role as an instructor and alum, Ashley finds fulfillment in giving back to the institution that provided her with endless opportunities. 

���It’s an honor to walk with students through their journey, knowing they will get through it, just like I did,��� she said. 

The post Alumna Returns to 返字心頭 to Shape Future Healthcare Leaders appeared first on 返字心頭.

Dr. Leticia Esau is the lead public health nursing faculty at 返字心頭-Ontario. Beginning her public health journey as a school nurse, she decided to become an educator to share her expertise while emphasizing the importance of advocating for vulnerable populations.

Due to her passion and leadership, Dr. Esau was selected as the inaugural faculty grand marshal for the WCU Summer 2023 California commencement, kicking off a new tradition where a faculty member leads the university platform party onto the stage. 

Learn more about Dr. Esau���s story in this Q&A: 

WCU: Congratulations on being selected as WCU���s first Grand Marshal. What was that experience like for you? 

Dr. Esau: The overall experience was exhilarating and beyond exciting. To be the faculty member leading the platform party, and to be the first person that the graduates and their loved ones see, is going to be an experience that I will never forget. I am so excited for future faculty members who will be selected to experience this honorary role. 

WCU: I want to talk a bit about you and your story. You have your master���s in nursing and doctorate in public health. What brought you to where you are today? 

Dr. Esau: Both of my parents are immigrants, and my father had a short timeframe being a migrant farm worker. He would tell me some of the horrific stories that he had encountered, and unfortunately, some of the negative experiences that he had with healthcare professionals. As a child I knew that I wanted to work with vulnerable groups, because I wanted to take the path where I could be the voice and advocate for those that are underserved. 

I started off as a school nurse. I worked with students that were from migrant families out in the Coachella Valley, and there I was able to advocate and help them navigate the complex healthcare system. Then, I thought, I want more people to know about this field. So, I began looking at some community health instructor positions from a nursing standpoint. Luckily, I was able to secure the job at 返字心頭, and I’ve been here for seven years doing what I absolutely love.  

WCU: Can you tell me a bit more about the impact public health nurses have on the community? 

Dr. Esau: We try to eliminate some of the barriers that will prevent an individual from living their life to its fullest potential.  These barriers are not just geared towards health, that���s just one component. It���s also about people being able to afford where they live, addressing poverty, homelessness, and other vulnerabilities that people are faced with. We are in the business of addressing inequities to eliminate health disparities.  Essentially, that’s the goal of public health ��� improving the well-being of others and eliminating health disparities.  

WCU: As faculty, how do you involve your students in the community?  

Dr. Esau: I like to provide one or two volunteer opportunities for students every term. Students will interact with vulnerable groups who may be timid and may have distrust with the healthcare system. The students are able to work on their relationship-building and communication skills in an attempt to establish trust and rapport. As their instructor they���ll have me there to help guide them with the appropriate communication skills. I think it���s important for us, as theory instructors, to get involved in the community so that we’re able to bring those real-life experiences into the classroom.  

WCU: Can you describe your involvement in public health outside of teaching? 

Dr. Esau: I’m involved now in a school-based health center committee which essentially focuses on the Inland Empire. What we really are seeking to do is bring health care services to the K-12 school setting. We know that there’s a lot of barriers for students and families to obtain healthcare, so our goal is to bring school-based health clinics to high schools so that students and families can access health care services.  

There’s also another organization that I am involved with called Vision to Learn. They bring mobile units to schools where students are screened for vision and are prescribed glasses free of charge. We targeted Riverside County the last two years, and we were able to prescribe over 8,000 glasses to K-12 students.  

WCU: How important is it to have community partnerships as a public health leader? 

Dr. Esau: One of the objectives in public health nursing is for students to understand the importance of collaborating with community agencies, and to understand how to obtain some of those resources that we don’t traditionally encounter. We’re always lacking in funding as it pertains to public health, so we need community partnerships, whether it’s the church that’s providing the food bank, an agency that provides the clothing drives, or a school that’s providing free vision screening. We need to identify those resources and form partnerships.  

WCU: What advice do you have for the next generation of public health professionals? 

Dr. Esau: You have the ability to impact somebody’s life. Honing in on your skills, your empathy, communication skills, being passionate about what you do ��� that’s all going to translate in the type of care that you’re providing to these groups. And, for my future public health nurses, I need for you to understand that what you���re doing is so important for the community. 

The post Q&A With WCU-Ontario Public Health Nursing Instructor Dr. Leticia Esau appeared first on 返字心頭.

While volunteering with a homeless outreach group, a pair of 返字心頭-Texas students were able to do more than hand out hot meals and warm blankets when they provided medical aid to a woman in need. 

Fueled by a shared passion for helping others, WCU-Texas��nursing��students Lexie H. and Ashely M.��had originally��offered��to serve food and hand out socks and hygiene kits��with the nonprofit group Metro Relief.��But when Metro Relief��staff��learned��they��were nursing students,��Lexie and Ashely��were��asked��to��assist��a��woman��at the��shelter.��

���We went to her tent and let her know that we were student nurse volunteers with Metro Relief,��� Lexie said. ���When she came out, we saw the open wound on her foot and hand.��� 

First-aid kit in hand, the WCU-Texas nursing students cleaned the woman���s wounds, changed the bandages, and provided some information to the woman on caring for her injuries.  

���We had skills that we were able to apply. We know wound care. We felt confident and comfortable,��� Lexie said. 

For Ashely, the experience was an opportunity to step out of her comfort zone and provided a better understanding of what different patients go through. 

���It was hard seeing the number of tents and learning about the struggles of the different individuals,��� she said. ���It was a humbling experience.��� 

Ashely said she would recommend all nursing students find volunteer opportunities where they can be hands-on in the community. 

���It���s important to stay in that humble mindset,��� she said. ���You won���t stay there if you don���t get out of your bubble.��� 

Lexie and Ashely said they plan to continue volunteering with Metro Relief and hoped others at WCU would join them. 

���We���re not certified yet,��� Lexie said, ���but we can do these tasks that make a difference for this organization.��� 

The post WCU-Texas Nursing Students Have ���Humbling Experience��� Serving Dallas Homeless appeared first on 返字心頭.

返字心頭 volunteers helped needy families in Los Angeles get ready to go back to school by distributing backpacks filled with school supplies this summer.

Led by WCU-Los Angeles nursing instructor Ashley Smith, three nursing students joined L.A. Care Health Plan and Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan in helping provide 3,000 backpacks and school supplies to families as a part of their back-to-school events.

In addition to school materials, a range of education and social assistance resources from participating community-based organizations were made available to participating families.

���It was great to see our students connecting with community partners and giving back,��� WCU instructor Smith said. ���Our natural display of giving back is there in other ways; you don���t have to do it medically.���

Smith said one of the WCU students added an element of joy and warmth to the occasion by distributing backpacks with boundless energy, making families feel valued and supported with his vibrant presence.

���He was dancing and having a great time doing it, while connecting with kids and engaging with parents,��� Smith said, adding she enjoyed watching the WCU students take on leadership roles during their volunteering.

Another student, Smith noted, took it upon herself to organize the shoes being donated by size, color and style.

���Watching her do that and expedite that process is exactly was WCU students are known for,��� Smith said. ���Recognizing when there���s an issue and streamlining and using their expertise in making things better.���

WCU-Los Angeles BSN student Janet T. showcased the nurturing spirit of nursing by engaging children in heartwarming storytelling sessions while handing out books.

���There was one princess book that I showed a little girl, and her eyes just got so big,��� Janet said. ���It felt nice to be giving back to my community in some way.���

The post WCU-LA Bring Smiles and Supplies to Back-to-School Event appeared first on 返字心頭.

One of the aspects of healthcare���and healthcare education���that is so fascinating is the diversity of career paths one can choose, from the more immediate one-to-one experience of doctors, nurses, and pharmacists to the bigger-picture experience of someone who pursues a career in public health.

And sometimes, those seemingly disparate paths converge.

Such was the case for Dr. Isabelle Tardif, a full-time assistant professor of the online Master of Public Health program at 返字心頭 (WCU).

���A lot of the time (when I was practicing), I got to work in public health settings, in infectious diseases, internal medicine, and pediatrics, and that work was really rewarding,��� Tardif said. ���So, it started early for me to be in the realm of public health.���

After working for over 10 years as an osteopathic physician, Dr. Tardif took some time away from her practice, and it was during this time that she was presented with the idea of teaching on a full-time basis. She was already teaching medical nursing students in her office. She quickly connected with the concept of passing down her experience to the next generation of the healthcare/public health workforce, and she immersed herself in online teaching.

���I really cared about my patients,��� Dr. Tardif said. ���I really spent a lot of time with them, to be that anchor for them as a family physician��� I can really use what I learned as a physician and apply it to teaching, to my students.���

Making a Difference

For Dr. Tardif, that very authentic, genuine care and concern for her patients is the perfect example to set for her students, who by all accounts have found their way into public health because of their passion for helping, for doing their part to influence and effect change in their community or beyond.

[Pull quote:]

���In public health, you���re working with people who really need it, and so you can really see the impact of your work. It���s a field that can offer so much to a community��� (Our students) really want to drive change and to help people in their community.���

-Dr. Isabelle Tardif, Assistant Professor at WCU

One such example is Sanya Bedi, who completed her MPH degree in November 2021. She worked for a county public health department during the COVID-19 pandemic, reaching out to those most in need. She is now pursuing her doctorate degree with the intent of focusing her research on public health in India, her home country.

���In India, there���s not a lot of public health (compared to) what we have in California,��� Bedi said. ���I want to make a difference in a community that hasn���t been touched.���

Student Diversity Brings Expanded Viewpoints, Enhanced Learning

Bedi is not alone in bringing a diverse cultural background and perspective into discussions. With students coming from many different parts of the country, and even from other parts of the world, there is a great diversity of experience among the student population in the WCU Master of Public Health program. 足

While diversity of thought and experience is valuable in many fields, it���s especially useful in public health, a field where remaining well-versed in best practices and staying abreast of current events at both a micro/local level and a macro/global level is absolutely crucial to formulating viable plans that lead to positive change.

���I love that I���m interacting with students from all over the country, different cultures, different backgrounds,��� said Tardif, adding that some of her students come into the virtual classrooms of WCU from as far away as Africa. ���For our students, being able to see what���s out there gives them a great perspective for this particular field.���

Tardif herself adds to that diversity of thought and perspective. She is a native of Quebec and moved to United States at the age of 17 as a French-speaking Canadian. She proceeded to learn English and study and practice medicine. She then began her teaching career in 2007 and joined 返字心頭 in 2015.

The Experience of an Online MPH Program

Another component of WCU���s Master of Public Health program that Tardif appreciates the online modality.

���I love the flexibility, and I love that you can still establish a great connection with the students despite the distance,��� said Tardif.

However, greater flexibility doesn���t necessarily equate to ���easier��� coursework. Tardif had this to say about the online versus physical campus learning experience: ���Online does require discipline. They [online students] do have to want it.���

For those interested in pursuing a career in public health, the MPH program at WCU can be completed in as little as 16 months at the Accelerated program pace. Additionally, for those who may have professional or personal commitments they are balancing, the program can be completed in 28 months at the Working Professional pace. And there are new sessions starting about every eight weeks.

Learn more about WCU���s online MPH program and apply when you���re ready.

The post WCU Master of Public Health Professor Leads by Example appeared first on 返字心頭.

As Sanya Bedi���s undergraduate classwork in biology at the University of California Merced was nearing its end and she was beginning to turn her attention to ���what���s next,��� the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

With such a dramatic change happening around her, Bedi���s immediate focus shifted from her career to ���What can I do right now to help?��� After some exploration, she found her way to the Merced County Department of Public Health where she became a case investigator in August 2020. In this role, she reached out to some of the community���s most in-need residents, including the elderly, individuals with pre-existing conditions, public health nurses, and school staff.

���During this experience, I realized how little information some of the people who need it the most have,��� Bedi said.

One such example was a man she encountered who was in his sixties, illiterate, and living by himself. After conducting the necessary interview for the case report, Bedi began running through the services the county provided, including notably the delivery of food and water right to the homes of those who needed it.

The man was so relieved to learn of this service because he hadn���t been out of his house for several days in fear of potentially infecting someone else with COVID, and he was in need of basic necessities like food and water. This small action represents the essence of public health: Discover the needs of the community, identify the individuals/groups who need assistance the most, and then reduce barriers and provide access to those needs.

���That experience was one of the reasons I knew I wanted to continue doing this (public health), that this is where I need to be, this is what I need to be doing,��� Bedi said. ���A lot of people in this field really, really want to make a difference. I saw how much our county (Merced) really wanted to help the community, and that made me want to pursue this.���

Bedi Cites ���Support��� as a Major Influence for Choosing 返字心頭

Bedi looked at several schools before choosing 返字心頭. She said she selected WCU in large part because of the supportive admissions team that stayed with her every step of the way as she worked to complete the last and most difficult class of her undergraduate degree at UC Merced���Anatomy & Physiology���in the fall of 2020.

Sanya Bedi also had the support of her cousin, Sagar Bedi, who was researching similar master���s programs and proceeded to enroll in the WCU Master of Public Health program with Sanya. Sanya jumped right into her MPH classwork with her cousin, and the two graduated together in November 2021.

���Even though I was taking classes online, it felt like I had someone along with me the entire way,��� Sanya said of the experience of completing the online MPH program at the same time as her cousin.

It was right around this time that she connected with Elisia Sanchez from WCU���s Career Services team. Sanya said Sanchez and the Career Services team were a terrific resource for her, helping with resume and interview tips, access to career fairs and career specialists, and networking. She points to all of the support she received as the catalyst in helping her obtain a job as a data analyst for a hospital system.

Making a Difference in Her Home Community

Sanya is very satisfied with her role, but that desire to do something more, to make a difference in her community, continued to pull at her. She took another big-picture look at her career and as she did this, she decided to pursue her doctoral degree in public health.

���I want to do my own research with my own community, specifically India,��� she said. ���There���s not a lot of public health in India, not like we have in California, and I want to be able to make a difference in a community that basically hasn���t been touched.���

Sanya Bedi, WCU Master of Public Health graduate

Online MPH Program for Students Who Want to Make a Big Impact

This is the story of just one student from WCU���s online Master of Public Health program. If you���re interested in making a difference in the health and well-being of entire communities, you may want to consider a career in public health just like Sanya Bedi.

WCU���s online MPH program at WCU can completed in as little as 16 months at the Accelerated pace. Or,  for those who may have professional or personal commitments they are balancing, the program can be completed in as many as 28 months.

If you make a difference and you think public health is an area of interest, learn more about WCU���s online MPH program.

The post WCU Public Health Student Sees Impact of Outreach, Inspired to Make a Difference appeared first on 返字心頭.

Derreck D. always knew that he wanted to help people. He started his educational journey as a philosophy major hoping to learn more about who people are and how they think with the goal of making a difference. However, Derreck soon discovered that a nursing career would allow him to help in a more tangible way.

���I was not liking the job prospects after looking at being a philosophy major,��� Derreck said. ���You can go into law or academia and neither of those seemed tangible enough for me.���

Derreck realized the diverse opportunities nursing could bring to his career.

Now working in the intensive care unit, Derreck appreciates the high-intensity situations he dealt with in 返字心頭���s simulation labs.

���To this day, I still feel like it was great to be thrown into some situations because again it prepared me for the rest of my career working in the ICU,��� Derreck said. ���Staying calm and having experienced and rehearsed critical situations for me was like ‘wow.’���

Derreck graduated in 2018 with his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the WCU-Texas campus. From there, he said furthering his education was a natural progression, and he recently graduated with his Master of Public Affairs.

���The other parts of the nursing career that spoke to me centered around policy,” he said.

After taking courses in disaster management and public health, Derreck said his eyes were opened to the broad reach of nursing. He realized how nurses are involved in many different types of community dynamics.

���We spent a lot of time thinking about how there is a relationship between community disparities,��� he said. ���I started having an idea that once people reach the hospital, as a public health official, it���s already too late.���

His interest in getting involved in policy on a larger scale is what Derreck said laid the foundation to return to school.

���Once I started (grad school) in Austin, I was part of an evidence-based poster project,��� he said.

Through their research on post-stroke depression recovery, they found good evidence for the benefits of music therapy. By playing music for stroke patients in rehab hospitals, they saw improvements in post-stroke depression.

���We gathered some data, looked at best practices, and analyzed the procedures at our own hospital. Then we presented the possibility for a change,��� Derreck said. ���We won that poster project and it reinforced the concept for me that policy is really powerful and made me question, “Where else can policy go?’���

The post Alum Pursues Master���s in Public Policy After Graduating from WCU appeared first on 返字心頭.

Paula G. is a member of the Tule River Indian Tribe, a Yokut tribe about 30 minutes into the foothills above Porterville, California.

Growing up, access to medical care was limited to an Indian Health Services Clinic on the reservation. The clinic is a member of the California Rural Indian Health Program (CRIHP). It���s one of the reasons she wanted to be a nurse.

���Our community clinic has had a lot of turnaround. A lot of people don’t want to travel to a rural area to work,��� Paula said. ���The nearest trauma center for us is a little over an hour. The closest hospital is about 30 minutes away.���

The reservation recently established an ambulance team and has a local fire department that assists with medical emergencies However, Paula said anytime a trauma happens, a helicopter has to fly in to transport the individual for medical attention. Even with the medical professionals that do come to work in the clinic, Paula said it can be difficult for members of the tribe to seek care.

���A lot of the medical professionals that come here to work, they’re not from the community, and it’s really hard for our members to reach out. They’re very private,��� she said. ���Being comfortable with their doctors and nurses is really hard for them.”

Paula wanted to help bridge that gap and be the representation her tribe needed. She started off as a medical assistant at the clinic, where she worked for almost 10 years. During that time, Paula was slowly completing her prerequisites for becoming a nurse.

She started applying to schools nearby the reservation, but after two years of no luck, she took her search online and discovered 返字心頭.

Committing to the BSN program was also committing to a two-and-a-half-hour commute to school for classes, but Paula said it was worth it. She was able to continue working practically full-time during the first 6 months of her program, an added bonus for the mom of two.

Part of what helped her transition was getting a mentor through 返字心頭.

���When I first started there, I was so new because I live in a small town and going to Los Angeles, it was scary. I didn’t know anybody, and I didn’t know what the heck I was getting myself into,��� she said. ���My mentor called me, and we did FaceTime, talked to each other. I really enjoyed having that, and then as soon as I was able to, I became a mentor myself.���

The post WCU-LA Alumna Understands the Value of Representation appeared first on 返字心頭.

Public health experts with advanced training comprise a diverse range of practitioners and officials who govern and implement policy, research findings, and administrative leadership and education in this population-focused field.

From forward-thinking environmental public health considerations to epidemiological preventative and responsive policy, an MPH degree prepares students to take on a demanding, disciplined, and insightful role that protects the public. Because students entering study toward an MPH are often already working professionals with a bachelor���s degree, many accredited schools offer programs that can be completed online, or with schedule flexibility.

Areas of Specialization in Public Health

Master���s students in public health have the opportunity to choose an area of concentration that will drive their career after graduation. MPH specialties are highly focused on medicine and science, while others emphasize policymaking and leadership. All are built on a foundation of the principles and practices of public health. Within the larger umbrella of an MPH, there are six common concentrations:

Health Services Administration:

If you choose to specialize in the administrative side of public health, you���ll provide leadership, guidance, and expertise. MPH administrators may work on areas from a local to international scale. In this type of role, your will likely include:

• Organizational structure
• Financing and cost
• Delivery of healthcare
• Accessibility solutions
• Quality assurance
• Personnel development (HR)
• Management of data and digital infrastructure
• Planning and marketing
• Policy

In addition to the public sector, many healthcare administrators work or consult for nonprofits. Your career will necessitate continuing education to stay abreast of technology and clinical advancements. You may also choose to take a to boost your credentials.

Biostatistics

This area of specialization focuses on the research and testing sides of public health. Mathematics and biology remain core to this discipline, as applied to public health needs and the development of practices and policies. Work in this arena may include:¹

• Statistical analysis
• Clinical trials
• Environmental epidemiology
• Toxicology
• Applied regression analysis

Biostatisticians in public health may go on to become educators, leaders, and researchers in the healthcare industry, or become government officials focused on public health and governmental policy. 

Behavioral Science

A focus on behavioral health and science is an essential complement to public health needs that address physical and environmental health. This type of public health degree requires expertise in psychology to assess public health needs and affect outcomes. MPH professionals in behavioral health are needed in many venues, including:²

• Schools
• Research facilities
• Policy institutes
• Health departments
• Mental health facilities
• Corrections
• Local health centers

These experts are integral to both awareness and practice with regard to the behavioral implications of public health. They strive to effect positive change through recommendations and implementation of protocols and resources in order to benefit individuals and populations.

Environmental Health

An MPH with an emphasis on environmental health prepares you to deal with different types of environmental considerations related to a population���s wellbeing. This can stretch from ecological preservation to workplace hygiene to emergency response to natural or manmade disasters. Study in this discipline might include:³

• Exposure science
• Biostatistics
• Occupational hygiene
• Epidemiology
• Toxicology
• Risk assessment
• Hazardous and water waste

An MPH concentrated in environmental health creates an in-depth understanding of factors as they affect human health. It falls into what some call a ���green occupation��� that focuses on ecological considerations and fosters a beneficial symbiosis between a population and its environment.

Health Education

This concentration is as it sounds: A career focused on educating the public to promote health and disease prevention. An MPH degree with instructive emphasis covers the necessary topics for health education, awareness, and intervention, including:⁴

• Assessment and planning
• Implementation
• Administration and management
• Resourcing
• Advocacy

An education in preparation for an MPH in health education will also cover essential and foundational public health topics like epidemiology, biostatistics, policy, and environmental health. Health educators work at all levels, from community-based and nonprofit support to governmental agencies.⁴

Epidemiology

This highly scientific specialty applies expertise in epidemiology to public health, through a quantitative and systematic approach. You���ll help create predictive and preventative research and trials to inform public policy and benefit long- and short-term population health outcomes. In addition to a foundation in public health, an MPH concentration in epidemiology will in part cover:⁵

• Study framework and review
• Analysis methodologies
• Biostatistics
• Risk assessment

MPH graduates with a concentration in epidemiology are equipped to center their practice on specific populations, demographics, and geographies. These professionals play a critical and high-stakes role in disease control and response, research, and hindsight analysis.

Pursuing a Master of Public Health

Pursuing a Master of Public Health is the gateway to an impactful career in healthcare, and it opens the door to a wide array of practice opportunities, from hands-on to educational to policy-building to oversight. It���s an advanced degree that builds on an undergraduate education to benefit the public at large.

To learn more helpful information about MPHs degrees, check out our article ���MPH vs. MHA: Key Differences.���

¹ https://www.mphprogram.com/program/biostatistics/

² https://www.mphprogram.com/program/behavioral-health-sciences/

³ https://www.publichealthdegrees.org/specializations/environmental-health/

⁴ https://www.publichealthcareeredu.org/public-health-education/

5 https://www.publichealthdegrees.org/specializations/epidemiology/

The post Exploring a Master of Public Health Degree and Concentrations appeared first on 返字心頭.