Alumni

Michelle Chiezah
Michelle completed her Masters in Maternal and Child Health at the University of Minnesota [U of MN] in December 2001.

Michelle was born in Jamaica and moved to the U.S. at the age of 12. She completed her B.A. in Sociology at Berea College in Kentucky. Shortly thereafter she earned a M.A. in Sociology with a strong emphasis in Demography from Kansas State, where she examined Jamaican family planning issues.

Her thesis examines low birth weight and black and white racial disparities. Michelle is currently employed at Hennepin County in the Community Health Department as a senior planning analyst. Michelle appreciates the opportunity to both analyze data and conduct research in this position. She also provides technical assistance in the area of maternal and child health.

Sharon Borg, M.P.H., R.N., St. Paul-Ramsey County Department of Public Health.

For nearly 35 years Sharon Borg has participated in direct health care, health education, and health policy and planning. Sharon entered the health field as a registered nurse. After several years of hospital nursing, Sharon became interested in health care of the uninsured, which led her to pursue a Bachelors degree in nursing and a Masters in Public Health in Maternal and Child at the University of Minnesota.

Sharon joined the Ramsey County Department of Public Health in 1991 as a Public Health Nurse, working to enhance the skills of high-risk parents in the areas of child development and health care. After three years she focused on grant writing and collaboration efforts primarily around infant mortality and prenatal care.
Following the creation of the St. Paul-Ramsey County Department of Public Health in 1997, Sharon began working in the section of Health Policy and Planning, where she continues today. Sharon and her colleagues provide leadership in health assessments, quality planning, program evaluation, and policy recommendations for the Ramsey County community. These efforts help insure that public health efforts are effective in making a difference.

Sharon encourages collaboration efforts between MCH at the U and the community organizations, including the St. Paul-Ramsey County Department of Public Health. Sharon advises MCH graduate students to connect with local Public Health departments. Opportunities might include shadowing administration or project development. These organizations value students highly. Through field site experiences, students can simultaneously get a touch of reality and provide a great contribution to the community - as several U of M MCH students already have done. Find out more about the St. Paul-Ramsey County Department of Public Health.