Hometown: Kolkata, India; Currently: Houston, Texas
Degree: Master of Public Health (MPH) Concentration: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Intensive Research Pathway
What were some of your most impactful courses or professors, and why? One of the most impactful classes for me was Introduction to Environmental Health taught by Dr. Karen Mulloy. I enjoy the class because the subject matter was so new to me and the robust speakers. There are many speakers who would present about their careers and how they are working in the field of environmental health which could range from the city’s sewage system to OSHA to researching the impacts of air pollution. The class made me feel connected to the greater Cleveland community and also influenced my post-MPH choices.
Can you share with me any internships or research opportunities you had and how did they contribute to your post-college plans? I did my Practicum with the University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children’s Center of Child Health and Policy which is also where I currently work now. My practicum centered around well-child visits for asthma in the University Hospital Rainbow Ahuja Center for Women & Children which was heavily impacted by the pandemic. My practicum and further work with them have contributed to my post-college plans because it helped me hone which areas of public health I want to work in the future. My research experiences have made me realize the influence of policy in day-to-day healthcare proceedings and the importance of collaboration not just within a hospital system from doctors to nurses to social workers, but also the benefits of a hospital system engaging with its community as partners.
What impact did (or does) attending an in-person MPH program have on your outcome (learning experience)? The MPH program is highly collaborative and there are many group projects and class discussions so by attending in-person that experience is more fulfilling because you can engage with your faculty and classmates while bouncing off ideas and problem-solving. Additionally, since the classes tend to be once a week, it offers an opportunity to create connections with your faculty and classmates and check-in with them. They are your biggest support during the program, but also after it.
What is your favorite secret or hidden gem in Cleveland? My favorite secret spot in Cleveland is Loganberry Books in Larchmere. It has a massive collection of first editions and has every genre imaginable from Cleveland historical texts to your latest fiction.