Close-knit community and course choices attract first-year student to YSPH

I’m excited to experience a true campus environment, something I missed during my undergraduate years in Boston. Moreover, Yale’s beautiful setting, close-knit academic community, and the ability to take classes across different schools makes it an ideal place to grow both personally and professionally. I'm eager to explore everything Yale has to offer, from engaging in research to joining student organizations, such as volunteering with HAVEN, the student-run free clinic operating under the guidance of Yale Medicine (with support from the Yale School of Public Health and Yale School of Nursing), where I can hopefully continue to do meaningful work within the local community. On a lighter note, I am also excited to try the famous New Haven pizza!

What truly sets YSPH apart for me is the ability to take classes across Yale's many schools, which allows for a highly interdisciplinary education. I’m excited to explore public health through a different lens via courses offered at the School of Management, School of the Environment, and even the Law School! In addition, the welcoming environment was a game-changer. I was unable to attend the initial Admitted Students Day, but the admissions team went out of their way to organize a personalized visit. There, I was able to sit in on a lecture by Dr. Rafael Pérez-Escamilla, PhD, followed by lunch with a group of current YSPH students, who were eager to answer any questions I had. This welcoming experience made me feel right at home and reassured me that YSPH is a place where I’ll be supported and encouraged to thrive.

Originally from New Jersey, I graduated from Boston University in 2023. Since then, I have been working in Boston at Boston Healthcare for the Homeless Program, a nonprofit organization that works to provide access to the highest quality care to unhoused individuals and families. There, I worked on the Family Team, serving as liaison between families and their access to health care, streamlining their interactions with the health care system and ensuring they receive the support they need to manage their health.

After graduation, I hope to develop and implement initiatives that support low-income families, ensuring that mothers and children receive the care they need to thrive despite the challenges they face. By focusing on areas like prenatal care, early childhood development, and access to health care, I aim to drive strategies that create lasting, positive change for families affected by homelessness. I envision working with organizations dedicated to improving health equity so that an expectant mother never has to worry about access to care going forward.

Meet the Class of 2027 is an ongoing series showcasing incoming students at the Yale School of Public Health.