Sydney Durrah

How do you define public health? What does it mean to you? 

Public health is the solution. It begins with seeing a gap in care, a disease, and/or a question with an unknown answer, and then strives to provide a solution. Public health to me means providing care on a population level that also benefits the individual.  

When did you know that you wanted to study public health? Was there an ‘aha’-type moment or do you have a personal experience that led you to the field? 

Prior to being a public health major, I was in athletic training. During one of my courses my freshman year, we were discussing blood borne pathogens and preventative care, and those chapters were the most interesting I had learned throughout the year. I knew then that I had to find a major that had those topics and more, and that’s when I discovered public health.

My family also has a background in public health, but I had no idea until I switched majors and started learning. My grandma works for the EPA, one of my mothers worked for Al Gore’s Climate Reality Project, and my other mom works for affordable housing, with the goal of getting chronically homeless people off the street. 

Why did you choose WVU for your public health education? 

My friend Jenni Kennel, who is like a big sister to me, always talked about WVU when she was home for her breaks and how much she loved it. During my senior year of high school, I came for my visit, and it just felt right to be here. The campus, the people I met –especially the professors– were so engaging and made me want to be better and try harder with every class I took.  

You’re ending your academic journey during a very unique time in our history. What has been the good and bad about studying public health and completing your degree during a pandemic?

I was not only able to see the application of public health in real time but I also understood what was being said. It was crazy to read an article or watch the news and be able to comprehend the information. My epidemiology classes were unfolding right in front of my face, and I realized how privileged I was to be able to understand what was being said. The pandemic was difficult for my mental health, as coming back to school caused me to develop social anxiety. I forgot how to talk to people, and zoom did not make that any easier. So having to transition off zoom back to in-person activity was pretty hard for me. 

Tell us about your field placement experience. 

My field placement experience was doing research with Dr. Claydon looking to understand the challenges, barriers, facilitators, and attitudes towards body image post c-section. During the spring semester I spent my time interviewing 23 women on their c-section experience. Although research is still ongoing, I have learned the power of lived experience in research. These 23 women interviewed showed me the power in qualitative research and how much information can be received from asking people to share their story. It is so important to engage with the community you are trying to help as they often have the answers in their stories.  

Have any Public Health faculty and staff members influenced you in a unique way? 

To name just a few faculty and staff is so difficult because I am beyond grateful for the endless opportunities and their dedication to us as students.

However, as my journey comes to an end, my career at WVU would not have been the same without Dr. Claydon, Scot McIntosh, Sarah Opatz, and Dr. Davis. Dr. Claydon has given me the opportunity to purse my passion in maternal and child health. She has fostered a learning environment that allows me to put my education to the test. She is my mentor, and I hope to have half the career she does; she is phenomenal, and I am so grateful to have worked with her this semester.

Scot McIntosh is the backbone of my public health experience at WVU. Without him I have no idea what I would be doing. He had confidence in me when I had none and gave me every opportunity to succeed. He was always an email away with the best advice or a zoom call where he would watch me panic for 10 minutes and then help me find a solution. I am eternally grateful for his time and commitment to us as students.

Sarah Opatz is not only a terrific advisor but also a constant reminder to put my mental health first. She not only cares about our academic success but how we are managing outside of class. She was extremely instrumental in my success during the stress of grad school applications and was always more than willing to take the extra time to help me.

Last but not least, Dr. Davis was the first professor I had back during the fall semester of 2020. As everyone adjusted back to school in our first semester during the pandemic, Dr. Davis showed us compassion and made education fun. Despite the anxiety around coming to class during the pandemic, I always looked forward to seeing him and hearing a ‘Dad Joke’.

I am so grateful for all the public health faculty and staff, without them this experience would have not been the same. 

What are your post-graduation plans? 

This fall I will be attending the Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University. There, I will be pursing my master's in maternal and child health epidemiology. My hopes post-graduate school are to continue my research in postpartum health of women while staying on track to get my PhD.  

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

There is a little bit of everything for everyone here. Public health is a massive umbrella with room to explore different fields and jobs. Take your time deciding, but if you do come here, know that the opportunities will be endless. 

What advice would you give to your freshman self? 

Don’t be nervous to switch your major, I promise you everything will work out. Prioritize your mental health and keep pushing; there are so many people who support you, but supporting and believing in yourself is just as important. You’re gonna be great, and please drink more water.  

What will you always remember from your time at WVU? 

My amazing friends and all the memories we have made. They are my second family and WVU is my second home. 

Why should someone choose WVU to study public health?

DO IT! You will never find more supportive professors and advisors, and you will also have the most supportive student body. We are constantly rooting for one another and cheering each other on. Shoutout to Ana Villabona, Brittany Smith, Ranyah Chahine and Kylie Smith.  

Is there something people would be surprised to learn about you?

I’m from D.C. but spent my summers/after school time working on a farm and riding horses.