I came into the Public Health program at CU Denver unsure if I would even be able to finish college. However, even in the large introductory courses in the department, I was seen, encouraged, and told that I could. Through my coursework, research training, and mentorships with faculty members like Dr. jimi adams, I have been able to carve out my path forward in public health. I am incredibly lucky to have met and worked with so many inspiring and encouraging people throughout my time here and I will be a proud representative of CU Denver in my doctoral program next semester.  

I am honored to have been selected as a recipient for the 2021 Spring Outstanding Undergraduate in Public Health Award. The Public Health Program at CU Denver, along with its incredible faculty, have transformed me not only as a student but as an individual. It has worked to cultivate my critical thinking skills and has allowed for me to employ a myriad of perspectives when looking at any situation, giving me an invaluable strength. Its holistic approach to understanding the health and well-being of populations has allowed me the opportunity of turning my passions of affecting palpable, upstream change into a tangible reality. My enduring gratitude goes out to every faculty member I have had the honor of learning from in this program. As bittersweet as leaving the program will be, I am thrilled to implement the wealth of knowledge that I have been given to catalyze change, not only within my community, but globally.

Throughout my time as a student in CU Denver's Public Health Department, I have felt supported along every step of the way. My professors, TA's, and the administrative staff have helped me thrive both academically and professionally. I am extremely grateful to have partaken in a curriculum which helped me cultivate my passion for community health and policy, and I am so excited to take these skills along with me into medical school this fall. An education in public health has provided me a unique perspective through which I hope to strengthen my advocacy and dismantle structures perpetuatins social inequities.

Reflecting on my experience with the Public Health Program at CU Denver, I am incredibly grateful for the passionate professors, rigorous course work and research opportunities I have had over the past 4 years. This curriculum has encouraged me to think critically about how to address health disparities in my community and fostered my passion for women's health equity. I have become a more culturally competent, empathetic, higher level, and critical thinker due to the diverse experiences of my peers and the coursework required of this major. I can't wait to use everything I have learned in this program and apply it to my future career.

Going into college I truly believed that to change the world of healthcare you needed to become a doctor, but then I came across public health. The Public Health program at CU Denver has taught me that people are truly the ones in power and the curriculum at CU Denver truly reflects that. I have learned how public health workers can provide life-changing tools for communities and I am excited to continue my commitment to Public Health. I am thankful for the support from my family and all my mentors at CU Denver and at CU Anschutz. Thank you for always believing in me. 

Maymester is your chance to complete 3 credits in just three weeks! Learn more about Maymester at CU Denver online. We are offering one course during the 2021 Maymester:

PBHL 4021 Community Health Assessment (3 credits) introduces applied methods of public health practice to benefit community organizations. The course will cover systematic methods and approaches to assessing health needs, working with community partners, and interpreting, analyzing, and presenting health data. Maymester (3 weeks), May 18-June 4, Monday-Thursday 8:30am-12:20pm (Remote). 

If you have questions about this course, please contact the instructor Marisa Westbrook at marisa.westbrook@ucdenver.edu. 

PBHL 2052 Global Demography and Health (3 credits) with Ivan Ramirez examines current issues in population growth, fertility, mortality and migration in the USA and globally. Introduces students to the basic tools of demography and encourages them to think critically about the causes and consequences of population change. June 7-July 31 (Online). 

PBHL 3010 Human Sexuality and Public Health (3 credits) with Monica Adams focuses on  human sexuality using a public health lens, examining a number of sexual health issues and their relationship to individual, familial, organizational, and social-level influences. Identifies both primary prevention and intervention approaches to reducing sexual risk factors and increasing healthy behaviors. June 7-July 31 (Online). This class is filling quickly.

PBHL 4200 The Global HIV/Aids Epidemic (3 credits) with Petros Vilakati provides a foundation for a critical analysis of HIV/AIDS in global context, concerning topics such as disease, the body, ethnicity/race, gender, sexuality, risk, addiction, power, and culture together with a set of ethnographic texts that explore the epidemic’s impact. June 7-July 31 (Online). 

The Global Health Club meets remotely every Monday. The next meeting is scheduled for April 5th at 6:00pm. If you have questions about the club or if you are having trouble accessing the zoom link, please contact Emily Barrington at emily.barrington@cuanschutz.edu. 

Add Meetings to Your Calendar

The purpose of the Public Health in the Rockies (PHiR) Conference is to provide an opportunity for education, networking and skill development of professionals in Colorado and neighboring regions.  PHiR is designed to build a more competent public health workforce.

Consider applying to present at the August PHiR conference. Presenting at, or just attending, the conference is a great way to learn more about what is happening in public health in the state.

Learn more about session formats and how to submit an abstract on their website. Deadline for submission is April 2, 2021.