Martina Michael

What inspired you to study public health?

I am the first female in my family to pursue a career as a physician. The knowledge I gained about health in medical school helped me diagnose my father promptly when he developed health issues. If I didn’t know what I knew through my education, I couldn’t have helped my family. This made me think, how many people in our community are caregivers? And do they know their resources and whom to approach for them? This is why I choose to study public health as a way to raise awareness, and to communicate the existing law, rights, and resources available to my community.

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

The people I have met through my studies and the lessons I have learned from them.

Where did you do your practicum? What was it about?

Texas AHEC- IT was about creating public health content for medical students studying the needs of the population in rural areas.

Advice:

I wish someone had told me to join professional organizations as a student, including APIC, APHA, etc. This is a great way to network, attend conferences, and have new experiences you wouldn’t get outside of these organizations.

Current Position June 2023:

Graduate Assistant at the UTMB School of Public and Population Health

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