Health Care Policy

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.

Aries Rutledge

Alumna addresses health disparities through career in public health

Aries Rutledge, BA ’19, MHSA ’23

Aries Rutledge, BA ’19, MHSA ’23, is an Administrative Fellow for MedStar Health, a not-for-profit, community-based healthcare system that has a network of 10 hospitals and 280 specialty, urgent and primary-care locations in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC.

adriana tejada

Winston Scholar plans to use health communication for change

Adriana Tejada

Adriana Tejada has transformed firsthand observations of health disparities in her community into a mission for change. Learn how she plans to leverage her online MPH studies and the prestigious Winston Scholarship to bridge communication gaps in public health and empower her community. Adriana reflects on her experience as a Winston Scholar, connecting with health policy leaders and envisioning a future where she serves as a health 'translator' for the diverse communities she holds dear.

Scott Holcomb

Policymaker earns MPH seeking better health outcomes for his state

Scott Holcomb

Seeing a pattern of poor health outcomes, Georgia State Representative Scott Holcomb wanted to do more to improve health policy in his state. Holcomb describes how he’s since become a better legislator, and a better leader, through his training in public health.