Health Care Policy

Bhaavna Yalavarthi

Ambitious senior tackles health disparities and criminal justice reform

Bhaavna Yalavarthi, BA ’25

Bhaavna Yalavarthi's resumé rivals those of graduate students who have spent many more years at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. That’s because the senior has packed a lot into her four years. As an undergraduate pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Community and Global Public Health, Yalavarthi has gone above and beyond to demonstrate her commitment to public health, criminal justice reform and policy advocacy.

Amina Dada

Ready to transform healthcare for patients

Amina Dada, MHSA ’25

For Amina Dada, the calling to devote her life to the healthcare profession did not come during a presentation by a high school guidance counselor, or from the desire to follow the footsteps of a relative who is a physician or a nurse. Her inspiration originated much closer to home. As a youth, Dada had watched her parents, immigrants from Pakistan, struggle with the complexities of navigating the healthcare system. Her late father was a two-time heart transplant recipient.

jean rinkowski lead

Physical therapist aims for healing on a larger scale with online MPH

Jean Rinkowski

Jean Rinkowski, a seasoned physical therapist who's taking her expertise to new heights by pursuing an MPH at the University of Michigan. Learn how her shift from individual care to public health aims to address systemic challenges and improve health outcomes on a larger scale.

Soumik Purkayastha

Finding inspiration at the intersection of public health and data science

Soumik Purkayastha, MS ’21, PhD ’24

A native of India, Soumik Purkayastha, MS ’21, PhD ’24, first made a connection with the University of Michigan School of Public Health in 2005 when he was in fourth grade. Now, Purkayastha will graduate in May with a PhD in Biostatistics from the Department of Biostatistics at Michigan Public Health. After graduation, Purkayastha will join the Department of Biostatistics at the University of Pittsburgh as an assistant professor in the fall.

Andrea Kennedy

Public health chooses undergraduate student as a means to change

Andrea Kennedy, BS ’24

Andrea Kennedy, BS ’24, will graduate in May with a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health Sciences from the University of Michigan School of Public Health. After graduation, she will move to Chicago to work at Pathstone Partners, a management consulting firm that works with healthcare organizations to improve financial and operational performance without compromising the quality of patient care.

Jonathan Amos with US Capitol in the background

COVID-19 experience influences career in health policy and equity

Jonathan Amos, MPH ’24

Jonathan Amos, MPH ’24, has had a longstanding interest in social policy and politics. It was their initial experience as a professional navigating the complex US healthcare system that led them to understand the importance of health policy and public health to improve lives and advance equity. Amos will graduate in May with a Master of Public Health degree in Health Management and Policy from the University of Michigan School of Public Health.