Superpower:  Multicultural Initiatives Coordinator
American Heart Association

My biggest rewards are the personal satisfactions that come from making a difference in the lives of people in my community. I am passionate about health and education and how nonprofits can increase access to health care and supplies, especially among minority population. As a Latina, my Latino community influences me. The health of my Latino community is often shaped by factors such as language/cultural barriers, lack of access to preventive care, and the lack of health insurance – I would love to change this in my community.

Superpower: MD-MPH Candidate
Class of 2018 , University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Luckily, in this field [public health] there are always people to reach out to! Colleagues, mentors, friends, and professionals in various fields are usually willing to collaborate with you provided you have a good clear plan of something you want to work on. I can also say that working in an academic institution like UW-Madison, networking is pretty easy! There’s a great, strong infrastructure of people and resources, and there will almost certainly be someone to help push you in the right direction.

Superpower: Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Dows Institute for Dental Research, The University of Iowa College of Dentistry

One of the benefits of pursuing a research career in public health is having the opportunity to build your own research program that is centered on focus areas that you are passionate about. As a Latina immigrant that grew up in Milwaukee, I am passionate about improving the health of Latinos in my hometown and across the U.S. Most recently, I hosted a diabetes and oral health art gallery to raise awareness of the oral health needs of Mexican-origin Latinos with diabetes within the city of Milwaukee. It was so amazing to see so many community members come together to advocate for better access to dental care in our city.

Superpower: Medical Student
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Public health in many ways is a career of service to the greater good and has elements of social justice at its core. Find out what about public health interests you – community engagement, policy, epidemiology, environmental activism, disease prevention and, seek out volunteer/job opportunities that allow you to incorporate that passion.

Superpower: Program Manager
Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Medical College of Wisconsin

Public health is a science and an art. I appreciate the opportunity to live in both worlds. In addition, the chance to promote health (albeit indirectly) and supporting a diverse and inclusive healthcare professional workforce is incredibly appealing. I truly believe the more the healthcare profession reflects the community it serves, the better the health outcomes will be.

Superpower: Community Health Worker
Lead Coordinator, United Voices

Being a Community Health Worker (CHW) for the past 10 years, I have lots of experience in chronic disease self-management and leadership development. I have been engaged in many initiatives regarding CHWs in the State of WI and Nationally. As the co-founder and lead coordinator of United Voices– I have been working with a vast number of CHWs and the State Health Department to strengthen the CHWs field in the state of WI.

Superpower: Community Health Education Specialist
Prevent Blindness Wisconsin

Being a young black man in the field of public health is a struggle within itself. You do not see individuals in the work force that look like you, talk like you, or can relate to the community they have been tasked with serving. Constantly seeing the majority speak for the minority’s needs will always be hard to swallow. I resolved that by finding a way into the system through joining boards, volunteering, and speaking up for the people that have similar backgrounds to mine. Changing from within is always key for systematic change.