Main navigationMain content
University of Minnesota
http://twin-cities.umn.edu/
612-625-5000
Go to the U of M home page
  • One Stop
  • MyU

School of Public Health

MENUMENU
  • About
        • About
          • School at a Glance
          • History
          • Mission & Values
          • Accreditation
          • SPH Behind the Scenes
        • Leadership
          • Dean Melinda Pettigrew
          • Leadership Team
        • Diversity & Inclusion
          • About
          • Agents for Change
          • Training & Development
          • Events
          • Resources
          • Strategic Plan for Antiracism
          • Podcast
          • Report an Incident
        • Offices and Services
          • Communications
          • Development & Alumni Relations
          • Diversity & Inclusion
          • E-Learning Services
          • Faculty Affairs
          • Finance
          • Human Resources
          • Student Services
        • Faculty Directory
        • Contact Us
  • Academics
        • Graduate Programs
          • Master of Public Health (MPH)
          • Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA)
          • Master of Science (MS)
          • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
          • Executive & Distance Degrees
          • Dual Degrees
          • Minors
          • 4+1 Environmental Health MPH
          • Certificates
        • Undergraduate Programs
          • Bachelor of Arts (BA)
          • Public Health Minor
        • Academic Divisions
          • Biostatistics & Health Data Science
          • Environmental Health Sciences
          • Epidemiology & Community Health
          • Health Policy & Management
        • E-Learning and Academic Technology
          • Online Course Development
          • Guides and Trainings
          • In-Person Courses
          • Instructor Support
          • Quick Help
        • Syllabi
        • Continuing Education and Outreach
        • Non-degree Seeking Students
        • 2025 Public Health Institute
  • Prospective Students
        • Application Process
          • Apply
          • Application Deadlines
          • Application Review Process
          • Undergraduate BA
          • International Applicants
          • Equal Opportunity, Access & Privacy
          • Certificate Applicants
          • Declaring a Minor
        • Tuition & Finances
          • Cost of Living in Minnesota
          • Scholarships & Funding
          • Financial Aid, Loans & Grants
          • Employment Opportunities
        • Careers
          • Students
          • Employers
          • Alumni
          • Events
          • About
        • Recently Admitted Students
          • Admitted Student Day
          • Confirm Your Enrollment
        • What is Public Health?
        • Living in Minnesota
        • Events
        • Students of SPH
  • Current Students
        • Student Resources
          • Syllabi
          • Guidebooks
          • School and University Resources
          • Student Policies
          • SPHere Lounge
        • Careers Services
          • Career Outcomes
          • Students
          • Employers
          • Alumni
          • Events
          • Job Postings
          • About Us
        • Student Engagement Opportunities
          • Student Senate
          • Student Ambassadors
          • MHA Community Stewardship Initiative
        • Applied Practice
        • Mentor Program
        • Minors
        • Students of SPH
        • Orientation
        • Incoming Student Requirements
        • Commencement
  • Alumni
    • Connect
    • Get Involved
    • Career Resources
    • Awards & Honors
    • SPH Alumni Society
  • Research
    • Faculty Experts
    • Research Centers
    • Research Projects and Studies
    • Interdisciplinary Collaborations
    • Student Research
  • News
    • News Home
    • Health In All Matters Podcast
    • Advances Magazine
  • Events
  • Give
  1. Home
  2. SPH Alumni Reflection: Trisha Wood Santos MPH-PHAP ‘04

News

SPH Alumni Reflection: Trisha Wood Santos MPH-PHAP ‘04

Charlie Plain | June 11, 2014

Trisha Wood SantosTrisha Wood Santos has always had an interest in global health.

While enrolled in the MPH program in Public Health Administration & Policy, she found ways to incorporate global health into her coursework, field experience and the research she conducted at the School of Public Health.

Santos currently serves as a program officer for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Family Planning Team, in Seattle, Wash. She works with grantees and other partners to develop and manage projects for improving access and availability of family planning products and services in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Specifically, she works with the development of new contraceptive technologies that address barriers to use among women.

This work is a big change from her graduate research where she focused on U.S. health insurance issues. Even so, she has found the skills earned through the PHAP program to be applicable in her current work.

“I use a lot of the skills I learned in the PHAP program including research methods, data analysis, policy formulation and writing.”

Santos was attracted to the University of Minnesota School of Public Health because of its high academic ranking, small class sizes and faculty support. She also has family in the region and spent most of her childhood in Minnesota. She joined the PHAP program because of the wide range of educational focuses it provides.

“I was attracted because of the ability to learn a wide range of skills including program and organizational management, policy formulation and research methods and evaluation.”

Throughout her graduate education, Santo’s interests often drove her to seek further opportunities in global health. After earning her MPH she served in the Peace Corps in Panama. She encourages other students to expand on their interests while in the program.

“Focus on what interests you and find ways to incorporate it, even if it is not the main focus of your studies or job. By seeking out additional opportunities outside of your immediate responsibilities, you can further your knowledge and expertise.”

  • Alumni
  • Global Health
  • Health Policy and Management

Categories

  • Research
  • Students
  • Awards
  • Faculty
  • Alumni
  • All news

News from Our Divisions

  • Biostatistics & Health Data Science
  • Environmental Health Sciences
  • Epidemiology & Community Health
  • Health Policy & Management

Media Contact:

Virgil McDill, Media Strategist
mcdi0003@umn.edu

  • About
  • Academics
  • Prospective Students
  • Current Students
  • Alumni
  • Research
  • News
  • Events
  • Give

University of Minnesota School of Public Health

Contact
420 Delaware St. S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55455

612-626-3500
sph-ask@umn.edu

Submit your news, research, event or communications request
SPH Communications partners with faculty, staff, and students to raise the school's profile and highlight its value to our audiences.

SPH Intranet for Faculty and Staff | Health Sciences

For Students, Faculty, and Staff

  • One Stop
  • My U
© 2025 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer. Privacy Statement