The Department of Public Health Sciences hosted its Community Partner and Career Meet & Greet on April 9, bringing together students, alumni, faculty, and local organizations for a dynamic morning of connection, career exploration, and storytelling.
The event created space for students to engage directly with professionals working across public health fields—from nonprofits and government agencies to health systems and academic partners. Through informal conversations and structured networking, attendees explored internship opportunities, discussed shared public health goals, and learned more about the diverse pathways available after graduation.
Students and alumni offered first-hand perspectives on how classroom learning translates into community impact. These stories reflected the evolving landscape of public health and underscored the critical role of mentorship, field experience, and collaboration in building meaningful careers.
Victoria Carrillo, M.S., outreach specialist at the University of Miami Pediatric Mobile Clinic, described how students can support clinical and outreach efforts across Miami-Dade County. “We provide wraparound services—from well-child exams to mental health support and insurance navigation,” she said. “One MPH student recently conducted a literature review on uninsured rates among children in the county and helped us shape future directions for the program.”
A public health professor and federal health advisor offered insight into the broader global health landscape. “We’re already discussing the future of public health at the highest levels—what the architecture of global health will look like,” she said. “For students, that means you’re stepping into a space that is still being shaped, and you can help define it.”
Katelyn McGuigan, M.P.H., now a program officer at the Health Foundation of South Florida, attended the event to share her current work and reconnect with the department. “It was a joy to connect with students, former colleagues, faculty, and community partners to share about my new role, where I work to advance health equity across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Monroe Counties—by funding, partnering with, and advocating alongside frontline community organizations,” she said.
An alum now with the American Heart Association, Sabine Delouche, M.P.H., emphasized the value of sustained partnerships. “One of our interns was especially passionate about data and policy, so we connected him with our state policy director in Tallahassee,” she shared. “He also worked on nutrition workshops, housing initiatives, and advocacy efforts right here in Miami. That kind of experience is invaluable—for him and us.”
A storytelling booth invited attendees to take a more personal approach, sharing reflections on the people, moments, or values that shaped their commitment to public health. Faculty, students, and partners alike contributed to the interactive space, showcasing the human side of public health work and the shared purpose driving their efforts.
Written by Deycha Torres Hernández, published on April 23, 2025.
