Peer Support and Networking as Public Health Grad Student

Translating Ideas into Action: A Reflection on Public Health Training

Mehjabin Haque is a physician and a clinical psychologist from India and a recent graduate of the Master of Public Health (MPH) at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health [https://publichealth.jhu.edu/academics/mph]. She's passionate about translating clinical evidence into high‑impact public‑health solutions and data‑driven pharmaceutical strategy. During the week leading up to graduation she reflected on her experience at the Bloomberg School of Public Health-what she enjoyed most, how she connected with the community, and how she connected her previous experience to expand on her public health skill sets. She looks to carry forward her sense of curisotiy, purpose, and responsibility to improve health. In her free time, Mehjabin enjoys reading books, cooking, and running. To learn more about how to apply to the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health visit https://publichealth.jhu.edu/offices-and-services/office-of-admissions-services/how-to-apply [https://publichealth.jhu.edu/offices-and-services/office-of-admissions-services/how-to-apply] Connect with us through upcoming Information Sessions and Events https://publichealth.jhu.edu/offices-and-services/office-of-admissions-services/information-sessions-and-events [https://publichealth.jhu.edu/offices-and-services/office-of-admissions-services/information-sessions-and-events]

Staying Engaged as a Part-time Public Health Grad Student

Bailey Kirkpatrick shares how she balances her full-time work schedule while pursing the Online/part-time MPH program [https://publichealth.jhu.edu/academics/mph] at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She stays engaged with the School by participating in special lectures; listening to the School's podcast, Public Health On Call [https://publichealth.jhu.edu/headlines/public-health-on-call-podcast] during her commute; and when possible attends on-campus events. She breaks down what her day-to-day schedule looks like, how she's making her program practicum work while working at her current organization, and applying skills from her program directly to her work projects. She has over 10 years of work experience, and nearly seven of which have been at AstraZeneca where she was project manager for various programs across Respiratory & Immunology and Vaccines & Immune Therapies in various stages of late phase development and life cycle management. Previously she was a legal assistant supporting US veterans in their VA disability appeals where she saw the impact a medicine can make on one's quality of life. Bailey originally joined AstraZeneca in 2019 within the Business Support Office team. She became a Project Coordinator in the Global Project and Portfolio Management team (GPPM), and during the pandemic supported both of our COVID-19 programs (EVUSHELD and VaxZevria). She joined the Vaccine & Immune Therapies Unit officially in 2022 as team lead. Now as a Director she now oversees the Late V&I BPO team as they support the V&I portfolio through strategy development, transformation projects, business process development, resource and capacity management, and team engagement among many other operational aspects. In addition, Bailey facilitates the Late Research & Development (R&D) Leadership team and partners with each of the functional heads and project leaders to ensure optimal efficiency and communication. Her unique background and skill set provide a valuable perspective to the operational leadership of the Late V&I R&D team. She is committed to ensuring everyone has what they need to deliver on their commitments and to provide the best possible outcome for patients. With a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations, the combination of her previous and current work have inspired her to pursue a Masters of Public Health (MPH) at Johns Hopkins. She anticipates graduating in 2027. Learn more about the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health [https://publichealth.jhu.edu/offices-and-services/office-of-admissions-services/how-to-apply]

Peer Support and Networking as Public Health Grad Student

Conqualla Scott shares her experience of connecting with peers within the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Schol of Public Health as she pursues the MPH/MSW program [https://publichealth.jhu.edu/academics/explore-programs/combined/dual-degrees]. She opens up about the best ways she found connections to fellow classmates. Conqualla reflects on the support she found, networking opportunities, and how her cohort established shared interest groups to help further connect with one another. She also experienced first-hand the support through faculty and picking up the skills to be an active change agent. Conqualla is Florida native, and is a clinical social worker focusing on perinatal mental health. Her professional journey is defined by a unique intersection of education and medical health, allowing her to provide well-rounded, evidence-based support. She is committed to advancing health equity and mental health outcomes for birthing people and their families. As she completes the program, Conqualla is excited to apply these skills as she helps support her clients.

Defining Moments in Public Health: A Student's Reflection

The journey into public health is often deeply personal. For Justis Gordon, even her name has shaped her path—fueling a passion for finding justice for all within the field of public health. She shares how her family's hopes, combined with her desire to address inequities, guided her academic journey and sparked her interest in understanding health disparities, particularly those affecting African American communities. Justis Gordon is a Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) student [https://publichealth.jhu.edu/academics/msph-in-health-policy] at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, committed to addressing health inequities through research, policy, and community-centered work. During her undergraduate studies, she discovered the critical role of health policy in shaping health outcomes, inspiring her to pursue advanced training in this area. Before beginning her graduate program at the Bloomberg School, she worked in the Massachusetts Health and Human Services Office on cardiovascular disease initiatives. Her background includes analyzing public health policies and exploring innovative models of care, with a focus on reducing disparities in chronic disease management and maternal health. She is particularly interested in community‑based approaches designed to improve health outcomes and advance equity. After graduation, Justis hopes to continue working in public health research and chronic disease prevention, contributing to solutions that create healthier and more just communities.

Fueling Advocacy through Public Health Passion

Jay Franzone started his journey in public health before he even knew what it was. His path to public health began after being labeled with "high-risk homosexual behavior" by a doctor. This experience fueled his advocacy to overturn the federal ban on blood donations from gay men. Jay shares his journey, how he balances work, and what drives his work. Jay is a Bloomberg Fellow [https://americanhealth.jhu.edu/fellowship] and Master of Public Health (MPH) [https://publichealth.jhu.edu/academics/mph] student at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, where he focuses on violence prevention. As the National Partnerships Manager at Everytown for Gun Safety [https://www.everytown.org/], Jay builds coalitions with national organizations and leads culturally informed engagement strategies to address the root causes of gun violence. Now based in Hawai'i, Jay is passionate about dismantling biased health policies and improving access to care in rural and underserved communities.