Adiba Azad

What does public health mean to you?

Public health, to me, is a continuous collaborative effort to make the quality of life better and to protect the community from any future health threats. It is about creating an environment, where every individual can get access to healthcare facilities despite any disparities.

Why did you choose to study public health at WVU?

I chose to study public health at West Virginia University to become a professional in the healthcare field. The Master of Public Health program focuses on practical experience and community involvement, which is important in gaining hands-on skills for a better understanding of the technical expertise required in the field.

Have any members of the faculty or staff influenced you in a unique way?

The School of Public Health has amazing faculty members and staff, who put their fullest effort into helping students achieve their goals. They are very supportive and encouraging. I would like to mention Scot McIntosh, who plays a very instrumental role in connecting with the students and actively listening to concerns. His guidance on everything from creating a resume to networking with peers, developing a sense of professionalism and navigating the real-world aspects has helped me substantially throughout my MPH period.

Tell us about your field placement experience or other hands-on experiences.

I had the opportunity to work at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in Morgantown, West Virginia, with Dr. Allyson O'Connor and Dr. Ethan Fechter-Leggett in the Respiratory Health Division. During my placement, I worked on a NIOSH project titled "Questionnaire Development Using NHANES Respiratory Symptoms and Medical Condition Questions." Through this project, I had the opportunity to connect with researchers who work very closely with the community to meet their public health needs. This indeed was a great practical hands-on application of data collection to drive the CDC efforts in creating health awareness among working professionals.

Currently, I am working on a second project with Dr. Srinivas Konda at the NIOSH Division of Safety Research titled "Work-Related Fatalities in Motor Vehicle Crashes Involving Distracted Drivers and the Impact of State Distraction Laws." In addition, I am also participating as a health scholar in the West Virginia Area Health Education Centers program, which allows me to collaborate with other interprofessionals to learn about existing rural health challenges in West Virginia and learn more about the community.

What would you tell prospective students about WVU and the School of Public Health?

The School of Public Health offers great resources to learn about public health as a potential career, because of its extremely knowledgeable faculty members who are always helpful. My message to the prospective students would be to reach out to the department either via our website or in-person to learn more about the opportunities from the faculty and current students.

What advice would you give to your freshman self?

I would advise my freshman self not to worry about the future; hard work will eventually make you proud and help to reach your goals! I would tell myself to open up more to networking with peers and reach out to more faculty, as they always had answers to the challenges that I faced in my initial days.

How have your experiences in the School of Public Health helped prepare you for your future?

I think the intense coursework and fieldwork related to the internship project helped enhance my practical knowledge related to real-world scenarios and professionalism. The field placement experience was very helpful for me to connect the theoretical knowledge that I learned in my courses with real-life applications and network with professionals.

What do you plan to do upon completion of your degree?

After completing my degree, I plan to apply for jobs that will help me create a positive change in the community, especially in the healthcare sector. As a public health career aspirant, I always aimed to serve the community and reduce the existing health-related challenges people face every day. I feel confident that I can serve my goals and build my career in a better way now with my MPH degree from WVU.

Any additional involvement in activities or comments about the program?

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to everyone involved in the School of Public Health for their excellent planning and dedication toward this program. Continuing to arrange professional workshops and regular student-faculty events will definitely promote new opportunities for new students, as it certainly did for me.