Hybrid EMPH program allows physician to balance patient care with public health studies

The Executive MPH program’s culture and philosophy align perfectly with my beliefs and what I wish to contribute to my patients and our communities. Yale's motto of Lux et Veritas, bringing Light and Truth, is something I strive for with respect to public health literacy. The evidence-based digital engagement efforts at the Yale School of Public Health (YSPH) are very inspiring and something I look forward to contributing to and supporting. The Executive model for the MPH program allows me to continue my full-time role as a physician while furthering my studies in public health.

I am a full-time primary care physician. I take care of patients and have several leadership responsibilities within our health system at Yale New Haven Health. I also serve on the Connecticut Department of Health’s Outpatient Antibiotic Stewardship Group.

I appreciate the EMPH program’s hybrid format. Many of my classmates are full-time executives with a great deal of professional responsibility. The program is very flexible and accommodating in allowing us to continue in these roles while still providing enough structure to ensure we are on the right path toward achieving our goals for this program. The in-person intensives are great opportunities to meet and collaborate with classmates, many of whom I now consider lifelong friends.

The most impactful public health experience for me was when I volunteered to be the first person at Greenwich Hospital to receive the COVID vaccine. Until that point, I was serving on the frontlines taking care of patients impacted by the devastations from the pandemic. Having a vaccine that could help combat the virus was a moment of hope during that very difficult time. Leading by example and advocating for vaccination safety, efficacy, and acceptance was my eureka moment in discovering how impactful public health and community public health literacy can be in helping communities.

I am very proud to be part of our community here at YSPH. Outside of Yale, I am very proud to have been chosen as the American Osteopathic Foundation NYS Emerging Leader Award recipient. It was a recognition from senior leadership from our profession for all the public health advocacy and clinical care I had provided during the COVID pandemic. It was a humbling honor, and it made me appreciate the responsibility of representing not only myself, but also representing my profession through my professionalism, clinical care, and public health advocacy.

I plan to continue with clinical care while expanding my leadership roles and responsibilities at the organizational, state, and national level. Community health literacy is my passion. Using digital platforms is an excellent vehicle for us to provide engaging evidence-based content and execute strategies to combat misinformation and data overload. At a health policy level, combating public health misinformation and holding those engaging in such practices accountable is something I hope to pursue further on down the line. For now, I am in awe of many of my classmates and members of our YSPH community, and I am already thinking of many ways for us to collaborate on future endeavors.

Dr. Alam will be taking over our @yalesph Instagram on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, to show a day in his life, balancing work, the EMPH program, and personal responsibilities.

The YSPH Executive MPH program is offering a virtual open house from October 20 through October 23 for anyone interested in learning more about the program. The Executive MPH program is designed for working professionals, combining online learning after working hours and on-campus leadership intensives. The open house events are as follows:

• Monday, Oct. 20 @9pm ET: Program overview and Q&A with the program’s faculty director -https://m.yale.edu/dbxb

• Tuesday, Oct. 21 @ 8pm ET: Learn about opportunities to specialize with our EMPH track directors -https://m.yale.edu/dbxc

• Wednesday, Oct. 22 @ 9pm ET: Get an overview of the financial aid process with our director of financial aid - https://m.yale.edu/dbxd

• Thursday, Oct. 23 @ 8pm ET: Learn about the admissions process with our director of admissions - https://m.yale.edu/dbxf