“While your own career journey will be unique, Midwestern University will give you the tools you need to be successful!”
Years at Midwestern University:
I have been at Midwestern University for three years now. My first day was February 17, 2020 – right before COVID lockdowns!
What are your research interests?:
My true passions for research are transboundary diseases, environmental health and disease, and the One Health principle. Most recently, I have been focused on mentoring students with their culminating projects for the Master of Public Health dual degree program, and on programmatic performance analysis. As a junior faculty member, my research profile continues to expand and transform into new directions. This is one of the things I have enjoyed most about academia: getting to participate in both veterinary medicine and public health. I love that I can be involved in a vast array of experiences and research!
What is the most rewarding part of being a member of the Midwestern University faculty?:
It is a privilege to be a part of the shaping of the future of healthcare. My unique faculty position gives me the opportunity to do just that! My primary goal is to show clinical practitioners how they can have an important role and impact on public health. I consider myself to be both a clinician and public health professional. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, I think this skillset is perhaps more relevant than ever before. We have lived through a global tragedy which could and should emphasize the importance of the One Health principle in modern healthcare. The lessons learned during the pandemic underline the value of the interprofessional learning and practice that are the foundation of Midwestern University’s ethos and approach to medical training.
How do you engage students in the learning process?:
My situation is a bit different, as I am primarily an online instructor in the Master of Public Health Program (M.P.H.). Because of this, I take care to recreate the classroom feel in my online courses. I take pride in being easily accessible and quickly responsive to student needs. My main roles include helping dual degree medical/M.P.H. students navigate successful progression of both programs, serving as an advisor for dual degree D.V.M./M.P.H, candidates, and mentoring students through their culminating projects.
What do you hope students learn from your classes?:
I hope my students leave my courses with a better appreciation and understanding of the One Health principle, as well as the ability to implement and incorporate it and other public health principles into their future healthcare careers. I hope my students leave my courses with improved communication skills and confidence in the role that healthcare providers serve as trusted agents in our communities.
Why should students enroll at Midwestern University?:
Midwestern University stands out because of its unparalleled and unique opportunity to engage in interprofessional education! The University’s focus on the One Health initiative is why I wanted to be a member of the team in the first place. MWU’s priorities of whole body and One Health are progressive, and the faculty and staff are here to ensure that the quality of healthcare continues to improve through science-driven medical education of the highest caliber.
What lessons would you like students to take with them in their professional careers?:
You will always be learning. Don’t be afraid to use your colleagues as resources! Part of the beauty of medicine and healthcare is that you are never ‘stuck’ in a single career. I have navigated my way through the military, private practice, and post-graduate training in preventive medicine, and now, I find myself experiencing a whole new facet of my career in academia. Healthcare is a vast field with innumerous opportunities. However, while your own career journey will be unique, Midwestern University will give you the tools you need to be successful!
