Whether they’re aware of it or not, public health impacts the lives of all Americans nearly every day. It keeps our air and water clean, protects our food supply, delivers vaccines, tracks disease outbreaks, and strengthens our healthcare systems. From fighting misinformation to improving community health, public health professionals are essential to making health a human right.

And that’s where a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree comes in. Here at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, our grads are turning their education into action. Discover how alumni are using their MPH degrees across sectors to make a difference.

1. Marco Morales, MPH ’24, Public Health Administration & Policy, Health Economics and Market Access Analyst, Boston Scientific
“I study health policy and reimbursement trends that are important for my company. My MPH program helped me understand the policy landscape and history and really helped lay the groundwork for this role. I like the freedom of having cutting-edge tools and performing independent analysis. Additionally, the devices that I support are helping improve and maintain people’s quality of life.”

2. Brenna Jarvis, MPH ‘22, Maternal & Child Health, Population Health Manager, Convergence Integrated Care
“I’m the subject matter expert on data and analytics for Convergence Integrated Care, a network of community behavioral health organizations. Before going to grad school, I thought I might end up in health education or community health, but when I took biostatistics and interned with a data organization, I realized that I love data and analytics! Having an MPH absolutely opens doors in the industry that having only a BA may not. I also feel like I am a better, more well-rounded person because of my MPH, and that I can much better understand the complexities of healthcare-related ethics, health communication, and the myriad factors that influence health.”

3. Laura Johns, MPH ‘22, Environmental Health Sciences, Environmental Health and Safety Generalist, Collins Aerospace
“After finishing my undergraduate degree in public health, pursuing an MPH seemed like the logical next step. I wanted a program that was well-regarded and could continue to challenge me, while also setting me up for a strong career after graduation. The University of Minnesota’s Environmental Health & Sciences program was perfect. In my current job, my work is dynamic, varied, and impactful, contributing to the safety and well-being of our employees and the sustainability of our operations. On some days, I might be preparing an environmental report for a government agency, while on others, I could be ensuring that a new robot has all the proper safeguards in place. Being part of a field that is constantly advancing and playing a role in cutting-edge technology is fun and exciting and makes the job even more worthwhile.”

4. Erin Collins, MPH ‘24, Public Health Administration & Policy, Population Health Program Manager, Minneapolis Native American Community Clinic
“I sought an MPH after I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. I saw the barriers to care and I wanted to address the larger systemic issues that impact health. In my current role as manager in the diabetes area, I get to be involved in both the strategic planning and hands-on implementation of programs that truly make a difference in our community. My MPH has been invaluable and has given me the tools to navigate complex health systems, interpret data effectively, and design public health interventions. More importantly, it reinforced my ability to think critically and approach problems with a solutions-oriented mindset, all of which are essential in my work.”

5. Kirsten Deuman, MPH ’24, Public Health Nutrition, Founder and Principal Consultant, RDNutrition Policy & Research, LLC.
“I own a consulting business that specializes in translating and communicating nutrition research and evidence to key audiences, including consumers, health professionals, and policy makers. I got an MPH in nutrition with a concentration in public health policy after becoming a registered dietitian nutritionist. Many classes that I took during my MPH program gave me the knowledge and skills I needed to be successful in my career, but two classes stand out: Qualitative Research Methods and Skills for Policy Development. I was also very fortunate to have experiences during grad school, such as research assistantships and internships, that have since translated directly to the work I am doing now.”

6. Zachary Maino, MPH ‘20, Epidemiology, Pediatric Cancer Clinical Researcher, Seattle Children’s Hospital
“I originally looked at a masters in clinical research management, but as I explored more, I realized an MPH would give me the tangible skillsets of study design, coding, and biostatistics. I’m the lead research coordinator for our cellular therapy team at Seattle Children’s Hospital. With what I learned in the MPH program, I have a deep understanding of research data and designs, can more easily understand our publications and presentations, and can participate in discussions on research development. In my role, it’s incredibly rewarding to see the hundreds of people involved in bettering children’s lives.”

7. Charly Vang, MPH ‘23, Public Health Data Science, Data Scientist, Hennepin Healthcare Department of Surgery
“My parents were refugees, and growing up, I witnessed firsthand the impact of health disparities on our community. Those experiences inspired me to pursue an MPH to make a broader impact beyond individual care, support others facing similar challenges, and translate data into insights that support community-driven action. I now work as a data scientist in the Department of Surgery at Hennepin Healthcare, where I use health data to inform clinical care and identify community needs to support violence prevention efforts. My public health training allows me to look beyond the numbers and consider the social, environmental, and structural factors that shape them, helping me develop solutions that are both evidence-based and responsive to the community.”

8. Andrea Ahneman, MA, MPH ‘10, Community Health Promotion, Media and Planning Director/Senior Communications Advisor, Minnesota Department of Health
“I serve as a media and communications planning expert for the state health department and lead a team of media and communications experts responsible for strategically sharing health information with diverse audiences across the state. Clear, simple communication is essential for helping people protect and improve their health. My MPH has given me the background and grounding in public health that allows me to work with experts to take complicated scientific information and draft messaging that is understood and actionable.” 

Public health is about action, and an MPH is your launchpad. This field needs passionate, values-driven leaders like our alumni. Ready to join them? Explore what’s possible with a master of public health degree.