I am excited about the opportunity to explore a new university with a culture as prominent and distinct as Yale’s. I was drawn to Yale when I visited on Accepted Students Day and found that the culture among MPH students emphasized putting community first. The supportiveness among the first- and second-year students, as well as the faculty within the Health Care Management (HCM) program, was tangible. It was quite clear that the faculty have a passion for their respective fields as well as the success of their students. I most look forward to exploring, meeting, and learning from the Yale community as well as New Haven’s!
New YSPH student praises school’s rigorous academic environment
Meet the Class of 2027: Althea Onaifo, MPH, Health Policy and Management, Health Care Management Program
What excites you about attending the Yale School of Public Health (YSPH)?
What do you feel sets YSPH apart from other public health schools?
YSPH offers a blend of expansive theoretical knowledge with an emphasis on practical application. Between the courses that are taught by renowned faculty who are experts in health care and entrepreneurship and the intimate class sizes, I believe the program fosters a rigorous environment that prioritizes the development of strong analytical and critical thinking skills. As the health care field faces a myriad of new challenges, I believe the HCM program equips young health care professionals with a distinct advantage. By integrating public health and business perspectives, the program best prepares us to become health care leaders capable of transforming and streamlining the system equitably.
What would you like people to know about you?
I’m originally from Long Island, New York and am a recent alum of Northeastern University, where I studied Health Science and Business Administration with a concentration in Health Care Management and Consulting. My areas of interest include addressing health care operations and management through an equitable lens, particularly by leveraging digital health. I’ve been fortunate to build health care experience in both hospitals and consulting firms, working on initiatives related to life sciences, hospital operations, and quality improvement. I am currently at Boston Children’s Hospital, where I focus on optimizing cardiology workflows and work queue processes. I have also worked with department executives to lead quality improvement initiatives aimed at reducing no-show rates and ensuring continuity of care among our most high-risk patients.
What are your long-term goals?
I ultimately envision myself becoming a leader who uses the technical expertise and knowledge gained at Yale to help reshape how health care systems impact marginalized communities, whether through policy, operations, or project management. I hope to discover, during my time here, how I can best apply my strengths and curiosities to be an agent of change and amplify conversations concerning health disparities and equity.
Meet the Class of 2027 is an ongoing series showcasing incoming students at Yale School of Public