The University of Georgia’s student-led Minorities in Public Health Club (MPH) hosted a meet and greet Sept. 4 at the Ramsey Student Center in Athens. The purpose of the event was to provide women and people of color studying public health with opportunities for networking and headshots.
In a time where states plan to issue statewide vaccine bans for children and cut funding for minority research, MPH is promoting diversity and professionalism in the public health circuit. This also comes as UGA prepares to launch it’s own medical school in 2026, which could broaden the field to a wider range of students.
Why It’s Newsworthy: Women and people of color in public health programs at UGA push for more diversity in the field as UGA launches a new medical school.The Planning Process
The event was planned and organized by Odalis Marcial, an honors economics and health promotion student at UGA. Marcial is the president of MPH and served as the photographer for the meet and greet.
“This has been our first event of this kind, and I definitely want more,” Marcial said.
Cemiya Thomas, a sophomore health promotion student who also serves as the director of public relations for MPH, said she wanted to familiarize people with the club.
“I feel like a lot of people feel that because they’re not a public health major they can’t come to our events or get involved, but they can because public health is definitely for everybody,” Thomas said.
There were dozens in attendance at the event, with students lining up to have their headshots taken. Despite being hosted by MPH, the event was open to all students who wanted professional headshots and the opportunity to network with other students in their field.
Baotram Hoang, a sophomore student with interest in the public health field, stopped by to get a picture, despite not being an official member of the club. When asked if she was a member, she said she was “hoping to be.”
Allison Bliss, a junior health promotion student, said she “came to check out the event because she had never been to one before.”
Emphasis on Diversity
A central aspect of the club is its emphasis on diversity. Thomas said she had the opportunity to meet the dean of the UGA College of Public Health who is also a woman.
“You don’t often see women in those positions, and then also one of the coordinators was a black woman, so it was very interesting getting to talk to her,” Thomas said.
As diversity initiatives are being cancelled in the health care field, MPH finds it incredibly important to uplift its members and promote diversity in the public health circuit.
“This college is full of the most brilliant minds,” Marcial said. “I want to highlight how resilient we are and that we continue to be here. Providing those resources of empowerment, leadership, professional development and confidence is essential.”
Savannah Celeste Scott is a fourth-year student majoring in journalism with minors in Spanish and law, jurisprudence and the state.
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