UNC Department of Public Health Leadership and Practice

??Does any of this sound like you??? I think I’m interested in public health but not quite sure. I’m interested in public health but do not have the time or finances to pursue an actual degree. I currently work in public health and feel I could boost my knowledge and skillset with just a few courses. If so, consider applying to one of our Graduate Certificate programs! All our certificates are available in an online format and designed to be completed in just 1 year. Click the links below to learn more about each program! To apply: ?? Global Health, deadline December 4, 2024 - https://lnkd.in/e__er5sp ??Field Epidemiology, deadline April 9, 2025 - https://lnkd.in/ep8Vdzfa ??Public Health Leadership, deadline April 18, 2025 - https://lnkd.in/e_4thX_e

?Student Practicum Spotlight? Two of our MPH@UNC students recently completed their practicum with Orange County Partnership for Young Children.?Read more about their experiences below! From Dilan Patel: For my practicum, I contributed to the Orange County Partnership for Young Children’s strategic planning process by data mining information to develop a current community landscape and profile for children from birth to age five in Orange County, North Carolina. I synthesized the data into applicable data points and themes, which I used to create a Needs Assessment Report and a presentation for the Partnership’s Board of Directors. The Needs Assessment Report identified the current issues affecting young children’s overall well-being in Orange County and the gaps within existing programs and services, which are being used to determine future organizational decisions and educate staff members. My presentation to the Board of Directors helped to advance the organization’s work by extensively outlining the gaps in programming and potential courses of action the Partnership can take to enhance young children’s well-being based on findings from the needs assessment.? ? What I enjoyed most about my practicum was the people that I got to work with. Through the conversations that I got to participate in and listen to with the Board of Directors, the passion that everyone within the organization has for improving children’s lives was very evident. It made me confident and proud to be able to contribute to the work they will be doing to continue to support children’s health and overall well-being in Orange County. From Sammie Kim: During my time with the organization, I played a small role in developing a new strategic plan for the partnership. I was tasked with conducting qualitative research, which consisted of interviews with members of the Board of Directors and key community partners and focus groups. Through the qualitative data that I collected, I performed an analysis that revealed three major themes that are hindering the healthy growth and development of young children in Orange County: insecurity (food, housing, etc.), barriers to access (transportation, affordability, etc.), and quality of care. In class, it can be difficult to collect or engage with qualitative?data beyond the concepts that we study, so I loved that I was able to gain some experience in this area with the partnership. As someone who aspires to work with children in the future as a medical professional, I really enjoyed working with experts in these fields and learning how to become an effective advocate for this population.

??Alumni Spotlight?? Meet Global Health '24 alum, Stephanie Lola! ??Tell us about yourself I earned my B.S. in Microbiology from North Carolina State University in 2019 and worked as a microbiologist on a research fellowship at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for three years. During this time, I developed a strong interest in the accessibility of healthcare across diverse populations, which motivated me to pursue an MPH. ??Why did you choose the MPH in Global Health? I chose Global Health because?I connect with the idea that local is global and global is local. I believe there is a lot to be gained from cross-cultural collaboration and I was looking for a program that emphasized this approach to tackle big public health challenges. I am interested in the interconnectedness of our society and Global Health offered a broad range of perspectives, which allowed me to expand my understanding of these aspects of connectedness. With its focus on equity and practical skills, Global Health provided the ideal opportunity to explore and address the complexities of our interconnected world in order to improve health for all. ??How has your MPH experience shaped your career? The MPH's strong emphasis on equity and community impact further solidified my interest in working in public service. The program’s flexibility explored a wide range of topic areas which broadened my perspective on public health, and fueled the curiosity I bring to work. Through the coursework, I developed valuable critical thinking, research, and analysis skills, which benefit my current work. Additionally, I developed important soft skills like communication, organization, and time management through involvements including a teaching assistantship in Health Behavior, and a graduate assistantship for the APPLES program at the Carolina Center for Public Service. These skills have all been invaluable and prepared me to make meaningful contributions in my current work. These experiences have shaped my career through the perspectives I have gained on equity, community impacts, research implementation, service, and collaboration. ??What have you been doing post graduation? After graduation, I started work as an analyst at the U.S. Government Accountability Office. GAO provides objective, non-partisan, and fact-based information to Congress and federal agencies to help improve the government’s ability to work efficiently and effectively. I completed my practicum with GAO and I really enjoyed my experience there, so I was very excited by the opportunity to return. ??What are your future plans? Although I’m early in my career, I want to continue to pursue meaningful work with a lasting impact. I believe that public health touches every aspect of life, and so I plan to nurture my curiosity by exploring diverse topics. I also want to continue to collaborate with passionate and dedicated individuals to improve public health and make a positive difference in people’s lives.??

???On Wednesday, the PHLP hosted our 2nd Annual Feast and Fellowship ??? This event brings students, faculty, and staff together to connect over a shared meal. As we head toward the end of the semester, we’re incredibly grateful for each member of our PHLP community who makes this department one of a kind ?

?? Student Spotlight ?? Today, we’re thrilled to spotlight Maura Leverone, a current Leadership in Practice student and Graduate Research Assistant with America’s Health Rankings. Recently, Maura presented a poster at the American Public Health Association’s National Conference, exploring the connection between primary care provider shortages and adults who avoided care due to cost—using key insights from America's Health Rankings data. Maura also gave an oral presentation on how adverse childhood experiences impact fourth-grade reading proficiency, again leveraging America's Health Rankings data. Her abstract received the prestigious “Best Student Abstract” award in the School Health and Wellness section. Join us in celebrating Maura’s outstanding contributions and well-deserved recognition in public health research!

Proud moment for our Building Veteran-Healthy Communities Project (BVHC) team! Last week, several members presented at the American Public Health Association's National Conference, showcasing the impactful work PHLP faculty, students, and alumni are doing to improve community conditions for veterans' health and well-being. It’s inspiring to see the team’s dedication to building healthier, more supportive communities for those who have served. Want to learn more about the BVHC? Click here: https://lnkd.in/eMUZqWHa

?? Sharing a post from one of our outstanding Leadership in Practice students, Onyedikachi Jude, ADIKE. MBBS, MD! Our international students’ contributions truly elevate our department and school every day.?

?? Halloween Potluck Fun with the PHLP! ?? Our team brought out their best culinary tricks and treats at today’s Halloween potluck! ?? These gatherings remind us of the importance of community amongst our students, faculty, and staff. Here’s to more moments of collaboration, joy, and camaraderie!

??Alumni Spotlight?? Meet Leadership in Practice '17 alum, Andrew Herrera! Before joining Impact Global Health Alliance (Formerly Curamericas Global) in 2009, Andrew was a State Department Ambassador to Qingdao, China. A graduate of East Carolina University, and the University of North Carolina with a Master in Public Health, Andrew also has his MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, which he completed all while serving as the full-time Executive Director of Impact Global Health Alliance.?In 2020 and 2021, Andrew led the Community Health Worker initiative with the NCDHHS COVID response in NC to reach over 190,000 people with a focus on equity, ensuring communities who need it the most, had access to basic healthcare.?Andrew has been awarded the Triangle Business Journal 40 Under 40, the Latino Diamante Award for Health and Sciences and the Triangle Business Journal Health Care Hero award, among others.?As the leader of Impact Global Health Alliance since 2013, Andrew is responsible for leading strategic initiatives, development of the Board of Directors and the day-to-day operations of an international Nongovernmental Organization with 42 years of history. ??Why did you choose to do an MPH in Leadership in Practice concentration? Leadership in Practice was the perfect blend of theory and practical application. My work involves leading strategic initiatives and overseeing community health programs, and I wanted to strengthen my ability to lead in complex, real-world settings. The concentration provided the leadership tools I needed to apply evidence-based solutions, not just in the field of public health, but in creating sustainable community health systems that improve lives. Additionally, the flexibility of the program allowed me to apply what I was learning directly to my work, creating immediate and impactful changes in the communities we serve. ??What are your plans for the future? Moving forward, I’m focused on expanding the reach of Impact Global Health Alliance. Recently, we rebranded to better reflect the global scope of our work, and we are now focused on deepening our partnerships and finding innovative ways to tackle health disparities. My goal is to continue building upon our legacy of saving lives through community-based health systems, while also inviting others—whether as volunteers, advisors, or supporters—to join us in this mission. We need your help; consider joining us as a member of the board, a volunteer from home or going abroad with us. The challenges ahead are great, but I believe that together, we can create a world where no child dies from preventable illnesses. https://lnkd.in/g5A2rgH8

?? Did you know? ?? Our Leadership in Practice concentration is also available online, offering both full-time and part-time options within our 42-credit curriculum.?Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, so if you're aiming to join our Spring 2025 cohort, be sure to submit your application by November 12, 2024! Curious about other admissions deadlines? Check them out here: https://lnkd.in/diDUD4e6