Mailman School Class of 2016: A Collection of Graduating Student Voices

As the Mailman School prepares to confer degrees to the Class of 2016, we take a quick look back at twenty-plus student posts from the graduating class. From breakdancing at the White House to firsthand experiences of health systems in Cuba, our student voices highlight the future leaders of public health: 

Allison Bautista, Sociomedical Sciences, MPH '16

Now that I have witnessed how extensively health systems can be wholly integrated into society, I want to use this knowledge to support and develop policies, programs, and efforts that encourage health promotion.

• Cuba’s Focus on Prevention

Monica Chase, Population and Family Health, MPH '16

We need both preventative and sex-affirmative education, a sex-positive curriculum that will help young people develop into healthier sexual beings.

• Not Just Abortion: A Sexual and Reproductive Health Roundup

Sarah Kunkle, Epidemiology, MPH '16

Well-trained public health professionals are crucial for dialogue on the complexities that make the “disruption of healthcare” particularly challenging.

• Personalized Health Technology and Public Health: A Call to Action

Jocelyn Levine, Epidemiology, MPH '16

Simply put, poor public health is a luxury that Cuba cannot afford.

• Third-World Economy, First-World Health

• Can the Cuban Universal Health System Work in the U.S?

Jordan Mueller, Sociomedical Sciences, MPH '16

Moving forward in our careers, we have to make it clear that the prevention of disease is synonymous with a safer, fairer, happier, and better world.

• The Journey Ahead

• Universal Health for All

• Defining Public Health

Catherine "Katia" Sokoloff, Health Policy and Management, MPH '16

Our class has learned to be advocates. No matter our job title, we are practitioners of the public’s health, and people are the heart of our work.

• The Power of Law: Public Health in the Highest Court

• Public Health in the Supreme Court

• The Value of Ethics

• The Roots of Public Health

Michelle Truong, Sociomedical Sciences, MPH '16

I want to work on leveraging communications as the bridge between research and action to advance health equity.

• Pop Culture and Social Justice

• Touch the Pickle: Demystifying Menstruation Around the World

• Navigating NYC Housing for Newbies

• Reimagining the Pope’s Visit to America

• Mailman's Orientation: Unwinding in NYC

Samantha Herbert, Veronica Junghahn, and Jillian Racoosin

Being in this environment solidified our desires and commitment to work towards the healthiest generation.

• APHA, Day 1: the Arrival

• APHA, Day 2: #FinishIt

• APHA, Days 3 & 4

Anne Valik, Noémie Le Pertel, Alana Babers, Gabriela Seplovich, Laura Buckley, and Lillian Chen

Any new Mailman student can find solace in his or her own inner power and use that strength to navigate the turbulent first-semester waters.

• Alternative Medicine for Your Health

Thana-Ashley Charles, Claire Eldred, Lorraine Fei, Jill Humphrey, Cheyanda Onuoha, and Megan Striplin

For a moment, imagine holding your breath, wanting to breathe but not allowing yourself to, and then finally exhaling.

• Voices for the Silenced