Transcript Transition to Public Health and Public Service

Transition to Public Health
and Public Service
Brandy Heckman-Stoddard, PhD, MPH
Cancer Prevention Fellow
Division of Cancer Prevention
Disclosure
• The presentation is my personal
opinion and not a reflection of the
National Cancer Institute.
Outline
• What is Public Health
• Ways to Transition
What is Public Health?
Public Health is the science and practice of
protecting and improving the health of a
community, as by preventative medicine,
health education, control of communicable
diseases, application of sanitary measures,
and monitoring of environmental hazards.
(The American Heritage Dictionary)
No Data
<10%
10%–14%
15%–19%
Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, CDC
20%–24%
25%–29%
≥30%
The Value of an MPH
• Strong foundation of epidemiology
and biostatistics as well as health
communication and policy
• Additional training in clinical
research
MPH Programs
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Johns Hopkins University
University of North Carolina
Harvard University
University of Michigan
Columbia University
Emory University
University of Washington
Career Options
• Health Policy and Management: Academic Policy
Advisor, Legislative Policy Advisor, Management Policy
Advisor
• Epidemiology: State Epidemiologist, Research
Epidemiologist, Pharmacoepidemiologist
• Behavioral Science and Health Education: Behavior
Scientist, Health Educator, Mental Health Researcher
• Health Communications: Communications Specialist,
Journalist
• International and Global Health: International HIV
Specialist, Tropical Disease Specialist
• Public Health Preparedness and Function: State
Epidemiologist, Laboratory Director, Public Health Lawyer
Current Cancer Prevention Fellows
What is the Cancer Prevention
Fellowship Program (CPFP)?
• Post-doctoral Fellowship with 25 year history;
for early career scientists
• Multidisciplinary
• Independent, mentored-research in cancer
prevention
• 10-15 Fellows selected annually through
competitive process; support for 4 years
Cancer Prevention Fellowship
Program: Program Components
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Master of Public Health degree
Mentored research
Summer Curriculum in Cancer Prevention
Fellows’ Research Meetings
Cancer Prevention and Control Colloquia
Grant writing workshop
Professional development training (e.g.,
leadership, oral presentations)
NCI Summer Curriculum in Cancer
Prevention
• Two courses:
– Principles and Practice of Cancer Prevention
and Control
– Molecular Prevention
• Lecturers: senior scientists and practitioners
• ~85 participants per course (~50% international)
• Annual “Advances in Cancer Prevention”
Lecture
Other fellowships that help with
the transition
• Commissioner’s Fellowship at the
FDA
• AAAS Science and Technology
Fellowship
• Emerging Infectious Disease
Fellowship at the CDC
• Presidential Management Fellows
Final Thought
Even if you stay in bench science a
knowledge and understanding of the
public health literature can be a great
asset to both your publication record
and your ability to get grant funding.
Thank you!