Kimberly McNally

What inspired you to study public health?

I was inspired to pursue a career in public health after an internship at a county health department. I worked in the communicable disease division. I loved the idea of being a public health detective!

What has been the single most rewarding experience of your career/studies so far?

I was mentored by a nurse working in the health department. The nurse had a holistic, caring approach to her interactions with patients. She was always mindful and understanding. She treated everyone with respect and dignity. I felt honored to work with her, and I hope I can live up to her example.

Advice:
Take as many statistics classes as you can! Learn to love data!

What do you think is the biggest challenge that the public health field should be focusing on?

Trust and equity. Public health services need to be accessible to everyone regardless of status, disability etc. I also hope that confidence in public health interventions can be improved with messaging and transparency.