Kristely Bastien

1. In one sentence, what is public health to you?

Public health is an interdisciplinary effort to maintain the mental, social and physical wellbeing of all populations.

2. What inspired you to study to public health?

Global health is a combined effort that involves people from all walks of life; from nurses and tribal healers to translators and farmers. I want to be a part of their integrated efforts to support public health. Additionally, my volunteer work with a Special Olympics team showed me the importance of inclusivity and the power of compromise.

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

I’ve had a number of rewarding experiences, but the best ones are where I know I’ve made the connection from theory to practice, and that I’m applying what I’m learning in a way that I know is helping others.

4. What is the one piece of advice you wish someone had given you when you were starting out in public health?

Public Health is an interdisciplinary field! Take classes in different concentrations, from health policy to physical activity! And intent is not the same as impact.

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

Mental Health is one of our biggest challenges. It can affect both the social and physical components of health, and we need to focus on how we can approach certain situations from a mental health perspective.