On Aug. 21, 2023, the first cohort of students of UT Southwestern’s Peter O’Donnell Jr. School of Public Health (OSPH) began a rigorous educational journey in public health. They quickly became immersed in quantitative data science and epidemiology, population health, health system science, and health promotion – all with a collective goal of making a difference in the world and addressing the most pressing issues in public health.

Their goal was ambitious, and two years later, this inaugural graduating class of OSPH is ready to meet that challenge. The students, along with their friends and family, will celebrate their academic accomplishments at a commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 14, in UTSW’s NB2.EEF Auditorium. The graduation marks a major milestone for OSPH, which was established in 2022, becoming UT Southwestern’s first new school in 50 years.

These future public health leaders come from diverse educational and professional backgrounds – the cohort includes a neurologist and a former journalist, scientists and a social worker, and even a husband and wife who both work in UTSW’s Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center. They all brought unique perspectives to what became an exciting environment of learning, discussion, and discovery.

“Public health challenges are some of the most significant issues of our time. Over the past few years, it has been gratifying to watch our students develop skills to address these challenges,” said Saad B. Omer, M.B.B.S., M.P.H., Ph.D., founding Dean of the O’Donnell School of Public Health. “I am proud of our inaugural class as they commence the next phase of their public health journey and hope that they will continue to be inspired by our ethos of excellence for impact.”

Ambassador and former U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, who served as the Permanent Representative of the U.S. to NATO from 2017 to 2021, will deliver the keynote address to inspire graduates as they begin their careers. A reception will follow on the NB2 patio, and a virtual livestream will be provided for those unable to attend.

The inaugural OSPH class includes 28 Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) students, four Master of Science in Clinical Investigation (M.S.C.I.) students, and one Ph.D. in Public Health scholar.

The students have already made an impact on the community, said Joseph Su, Ph.D., M.P.H., Professor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at OSPH, having completed 8,640 internship hours in public health, which included providing free health screenings at local events, volunteering at food pantries, and conducting research in the community. Dr. Su is filled with pride and optimism as this first group of graduates embarks on careers in public health, and grateful for their forthright feedback on how to strengthen the program for future students.

“Our graduates will face some of the most challenging times in public health history, but they are exceptionally equipped to address these complex issues,” Dr. Su said. “With rigorous training and a deep commitment to improving health outcomes in our nation, they are ready to lead with innovation and empathy.”

From a physician who traveled to Nepal to help develop disaster preparedness and response capabilities to a first-generation Ghanaian American who plans to become a primary care doctor and a public health researcher, read the inspiring stories of a few of our inaugural M.P.H. students, their experiences at UTSW, and their career goals.

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Jay Pandya, M.D.

Hometown: Eatontown, New Jersey
Degree concentration: Health systems science

Choosing to pursue my M.P.H. at UT Southwestern was one of the best decisions I made to complement my fellowship training in disaster medicine and global health. This program equipped me with the skills to bridge clinical emergency medicine and public health, shaping my work in hospital disaster preparedness. As an OSPH student, I greatly appreciated the access to professors and one-on-one mentorship.

I plan to remain on the faculty in the Department of Emergency Medicine after graduation and intend to incorporate my public health training with my disaster preparedness work to improve health system resilience – both locally and internationally. Over the past two years, I have traveled to Nepal with a partner rural hospital and supported development of disaster preparedness and response capabilities in a low-resource setting. I am excited to continue that work with developing health systems in Nepal and India, and I’m eager for the next generation of OSPH students to embark on the journey ahead!

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Zoe Osei-Appiah

Hometown: The Colony, Texas
Degree concentration: Health systems science

As a first-generation Ghanaian American and a college student, I am the culmination of my support system. I was the first in my family to graduate with a bachelor’s degree and the first to seek graduate education – but I’ve only made it this far because of their support.

Obtaining an M.P.H. from OSPH was an easy decision for me because I am passionate about improving health care access and delivery. OSPH provided unique experiences for students to work directly with faculty and staff to help mold the program so that it is responsive to the constant changes in public health research and industry. Studying public health within the U.S. health system during these turbulent times has been disenchanting, but remaining idle is not an option. As part of the inaugural class, I have been fortunate to learn how public health functions administratively to adapt to abrupt changes.

My long-term goal is to be a primary care physician and a public health researcher. As a public health educational program within an academic medical center, OSPH has enabled me to learn more about bridging the gap between evidence-based public health research and clinical practice. I am currently exploring my postgrad options and finalizing my next steps.

I hope the work I do and the example I set help create and restore medical trust in communities and improve health behaviors. My individual efforts may be relatively small, but our collective impact can change lives up to the global level for generations.

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Sarah Mayberry

Hometown: McKinney, Texas
Degree concentration: Quantitative data science

When applying for my master’s degree, I came across UT Southwestern’s plans for a new school of public health. I grew up in North Texas and was familiar with UTSW’s extensive and rigorous research that has made an immense impact on the scientific community. The institution has personally impacted my own community in countless ways.

Being a part of the OSPH inaugural class has equipped me with an inquisitive perspective to develop and explore innovative epidemiologic research. The faculty members have been incredibly receptive to new ideas and genuinely excited to foster collaboration with the Medical Center and community, expanding the research profile at UT Southwestern. These factors helped me develop critical thinking skills and reach beyond the scope of a singular research area to envision the integration of experts from various fields to conduct studies. While building something new comes with challenges, it also offers tremendous flexibility, openness, and drive. I believe these experiences will propel my career forward as a researcher.

After graduation, I will remain at UTSW to work toward completing my doctorate in applied epidemiology. I hope to become an epidemiologist and use my methodological skills to answer research questions with interdisciplinary teams that will enhance our understanding of cancer etiology and advance methods of prevention and treatment. Through this work, I hope to improve clinical oncology practice and quality of life for individuals, minimizing the cancer burden that faces our society today.

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Zahria Griggs

Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Degree concentration: Health systems science

Being part of OSPH’s inaugural class has been an incredibly unique and rewarding experience. We helped shape the school’s culture and provided feedback on the curriculum. I am immensely grateful for the support from the faculty and staff, who are truly invested in our success, welcomed our ideas, and encouraged our growth every step of the way.

One of my most impactful experiences was sharing my research and connecting with the community. Engaging in meaningful discussions about public health challenges and solutions has allowed me to apply what I’ve learned throughout the program. Additionally, I enjoyed sharing my love for public health and the OSPH community with prospective students during conferences and orientation. These experiences, along with the mentorship and support I received, were invaluable.

I began the M.P.H. program with a biology degree and no public health experience. One of my proudest accomplishments was adapting and thriving in a completely new field and receiving my master’s degree at age 21. After graduation, I will take a gap year to continue working in public health as a program coordinator and apply to medical school, where I plan to combine my passion for medicine and public health to serve communities holistically.

I hope to represent the health care professional I didn’t see growing up, both in medicine and the arena of public health. My goal is to advocate for health equity and ensure culturally competent care becomes the norm. Through both clinical practice and public health work, I aspire to make lasting changes in underserved communities.

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Rick Press

Hometown: New Fairfield, Connecticut
Degree concentration: Health promotion, structure, and agency

I was a journalist for 30 years and never felt compelled to return to school until I began working in UTSW’s Office of Communications, Marketing, and Public Affairs as the COVID-19 pandemic struck. The experience of working with dedicated colleagues to share valuable and factual information during that crisis inspired me to return to a classroom for the first time since 1987!

Because we were part of OSPH’s inaugural class, the Deans and teachers were eager to hear feedback on all aspects of the program, and they were willing to adjust, sometimes in real time, to make things smoother for current and future students. Many of my fellow students led study groups in challenging subjects such as biostatistics and programming, and their support and investment in the cohort’s collective success was invaluable – and it created a strong bond among us.

As part of the M.P.H. program, I’ve now seen UTSW through the eyes of both student and employee, and I hope my public health knowledge will enhance my work as Director of Editorial Content. My job is to help tell the amazing clinical, research, and education stories of UTSW, as well as share valuable public health information with patients and the campus community. I hope to someday teach and work with community groups to help them model their programs and amplify their messages. As a writer, editor, and communicator, I believe OSPH has prepared me to be part of the solution when it comes to delivering accurate, trustworthy, and impactful public health information.