Alumni

Candidate for Master of Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Management and Fund for Public Health Leadership Scholar 2009-2010, 2010-2011

 “I first became interested in public health after returning to my birthplace, Kenya and visiting Kibera, one of the largest slums in sub-Saharan Africa. While I was there, I witnessed rainwater and sewage flowing freely in the makeshift paths where toddles were playing.  As I saw this, I knew that their chance of contracting easily preventable and treatable diseases was high. More disturbingly, I knew that if they fell sick, the chance of receiving basic healthcare was slim due to overwhelming poverty. This experience inspired me to pursue a master’s degree in public health at the Mailman School. In the classroom, I have gained a concrete understanding of ways to strengthen health systems. Professor Michael Sparer’s Issues and Approaches in Health Policy and Management course not only taught me the fundamentals of the evolution of key health policies domestically, but also inspired me to apply these globally. This winter when I travelled back to Kenya, I found myself using skills from strategic management and organizational behavior courses to evaluate a cholera outbreak that resulted from a broken water pipe.”

“The Fund for Public Health Leadership has allowed me to pursue an education within a community of renowned faculty, passionate students and a large network of alumni. I am so proud to be here. After graduation, I hope to pursue a career working to improve the health and well-being of people around the world. I hope you will join your fellow alumni in supporting the next generation of public health leaders by making a gift today.”

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