I AM FPHLP 2022: Tsegab Arega

Tsegab Arega was part of the Michigan FPHLP 2022 cohort. She is currently a senior at Augustana University majoring in Public Health, Political Science and Sociology. During FPHLP 2022, Tsegab interned with Michigan Medicine.

Being passionate about maternal mortality and public health, Tsegab knew Michigan FPHLP was the place to gain knowledge on ways to establish equitable and culturally responsive maternal care. Also, the University of Michigan School of Public Health is known for its innovative laboratory, field settings, and community based training. The reputation of the University of Michigan School of Public Health played a huge role influencing her to pursue an internship through Michigan FPHLP.

In her field placement with Michigan Medicine, Tsegab assessed the needs of youth and seniors to design culturally responsive health education. She developed and implemented workshops for the Foster Grandparents program and Parkridge Summer Camps. Also, she evaluated the outcomes of the Foster Grandparents and Parkridge Summer Camp.

Tsegab had a fun and engaging experience through Michigan FPHLP. The highlight of Tsegab’s FPHLP experience was facilitating an engaging and informative presentation on stress management techniques for the two workshops she hosted. She created a resource page that consisted of stress management techniques for the Foster Grandparents program. In addition, she created a dialogue sheet to inform youth about the importance of mask-wearing and the COVID-19 vaccine.

The greatest challenge Tsegab experienced as a participant was creating a pre & post survey for her field placement. With no prior experience, she struggled making a pre & post survey to evaluate the impact of the two workshops. However, with the help of her preceptors, she was able to create and implement a pre & post survey.

After leaving Michigan FPHLP, Tsegab will be serving as Vice President for Augustana University's student government. As Vice President, she will manage 100+ student organizations and has plans to address food insecurity on campus. In addition, she will be working as a research fellow on campus.

In the future, Tsegab plans to enroll into a Masters in Management and Health Policy program after graduating in Spring 2023.

Tsegab encourages others to apply as Michigan FPHLP is the place where future public health leaders connect with resources and gain knowledge to make the world more healthy and equitable. Through Michigan FPHLP, she was able to expand her network and grow closer to her dream in working in health policy. Also, Michigan FPHLP has blessed her with family and mentors that she will cherish forever.