Public Health Careers 101 event to showcase opportunities in field’s growth

Sara Paton, director of the Master of Public Health Program

There are many career opportunities pursued by those working in public health. Commonly, practitioners go into health education, health care administration or nonprofit work. However, the field has more possibilities than many realize. To share about some of the careers that public health graduates enjoy, the Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine Master of Public Health Program will host an educational panel and networking event.

Presented by the M.P.H. program’s Delta Omega Gamma Alpha chapter, the event, Public Health Careers 101, will be Tuesday, Feb. 12, from 5 to 6:30 p.m., in the Gandhi Auditorium in White Hall on the campus of Wright State University. It is designed to encourage attendees to explore the numerous careers and employment opportunities that exist within the growing field. The interactive event will consist of a panel discussion, followed by a session to mingle with local public health professionals.

“The study of public health opens doors to many careers that students don’t often think about. Global health careers are a good example. These can include such jobs as a humanitarian response manager, refugee coordinator, HIV/AIDS educator, public health advisor and more,” said Sara Paton, Ph.D., director of the Master of Public Health Program and associate professor of population and public health sciences.

M.P.H. graduates often take on leadership roles in their organizations, and so there is great potential for work in administration or health care policy. The event will touch on these professional tracks and also dispel some of the confusion that surrounds the work of public health professionals.

“Many of the panelists and the networkers are members of the Gamma Alpha chapter,” said Marietta Orlowski, Ph.D., associate professor of population and public health sciences. “They will talk about their current jobs and offer advice to future job seekers.”

Panelists serve throughout southwestern Ohio and work in roles as engagement specialists, epidemiologists, registered sanitarians, nurses and many more. Every day, they work on the front lines, striving to improve the health of their communities. All are alumni of the school’s M.P.H. program. Many returned to school to enhance their careers with a Master of Public Health and a few are physicians.

Marietta Orlowski, associate professor of population and public health sciences

“The goal of the panel is to raise awareness of the various professions and illustrate the many faces of public health,” Orlowski said.

Panelists include Denisha Porter ’06, health promotion and worksite wellness director with the Cincinnati Health Department; Shaun Hamilton ’13, system director of community benefit, Premier Health; Matthew Tyler ’14, sanitarian supervisor, Public Health – Dayton & Montgomery County; Erik Balster ’10, health commissioner, Preble County Public Health; Emily Surico ’15, former crime, safety, health prevention manager, East End Community Services; Ashley Seybold ’16, epidemiologist, Public Health – Dayton & Montgomery County; Sherry Adkins ’11, physician, Family Health; Dustin Ratliff ’13, emergency preparedness coordinator, Warren County Combined Health District; and Melissa Michener ’12, director of clinical informatics, Dayton Children’s Hospital.

Professionals from several other organizations also will be in attendance to answer questions.