Degrees and graduation years: MPH, University of Alabama at Birmingham 1986

Current employer and job: Retired, Former Director of Public Health Johnson County, Iowa

Q: Why did you choose to study public health, and how did you decide on UAB's School of Public Health?

Public Health chose me in a way. I have always had an interest in health and medicine since I was very young and thought I would become a physician to help people get better from their ailments. I was enamored at the thought of helping others return to good health and “curing” their illnesses or injuries. The more I studied the causes of illness and injuries, I discovered that many, if not most, of the things that make us sick or injured could be prevented and that good health should be promoted and maintained rather than something we “got back to.” I found Health Education/Health Promotion a good fit for where I wanted to be. In a sense, UAB decided on me, and I jumped at the opportunity. A professor at UAB had received a substantial grant for research and was looking for new graduate students who could be involved in the project while working towards an advanced degree. I was connected to UAB through a University of Utah professor and was offered the opportunity. With a little research I was impressed with UAB’s reputation for research and results and jumped at the opportunity.

Q: What’s your favorite/greatest memory of your times as a UAB student?

After two years of helping collect, analyze, and interpret data from the research project that provided me the opportunity to be at UAB, we (it was a team effort) wrote up our findings and they were published. I got credit as a co-author on a scientific paper. I appreciate the generosity and mentorship of the UAB faculty.

Q: What professional achievement has made you the most proud?

In April of 2019, Johnson County Public Health became the first accredited (National Public Health standards) local health department in Iowa. While I was no longer with the department at that time, we had been preparing all of our operations for the previous two years for our review. I am proud of the staff and Board of Health for all the hard work they do to provide excellent service to the residents and visitors of Johnson County.

Q: What’s something that people may not know about you?

My wife and I met in college where we were competitive and showcase ballroom dancers. The dancing and performing aspects of dancing have continued as I have been a performer in many musical theater productions in three states. The performance skills I have been able to develop have been beneficial in my Public Health career as I have often had to make presentations for various audiences such as business leaders, legislators, and other public offices.

Q: What advice would you give to current public health students or recent graduates just beginning their careers?

Be yourself and develop skills you have a passion for (which should include public health). Future potential employers should be able to judge that you know your public health stuff upon presentation of your degree. You need to distinguish yourself from the other degree-holders applying for the job by cultivating and being able to describe your work ethics, desire to be effective, and your ability to work with others. Be open to the ideas of others and blend your energy, knowledge, and ideas to work towards the bigger “project” objectives. Don’t be shy about talking about your other personal talents and interests.

These will make you a more interesting person, one others will want to work with and help you connect with your team.

Are you an alumnus of our school and want to read more about other Alumni Spotlights? Visit the private UAB School of Public Health alumni group on LinkedIn and request to join.