A Seat At The Table Danielle Badaki

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Donna Elliston! Dr. Elliston, DrPH, MSPH, wears many hats in the world of public health, serving as a senior consultant, a board member, a professor, and an entrepreneur! Tune in to hear her share her journey to obtain her roles and success. As the conversation continues, we discuss balancing work and play, and ways to make yourself stand out to employers. Dr. Elliston founded a staffing agency to serve as as the catalyst in connecting mid to senior level professionals with top public health firms, so she has numerous tips to help you obtain your desired career!

In this episode, I interview Ms. Kimberly Smith! Ms. Smith has several years of experience as a public health analyst. We discuss her original dreams to work in journalism and how that dream transformed into one focused on public health. With experience working with veterans, she emphasizes the need for people to understand their patients/customers when helping them. She has a natural gift for advocacy that she puts to work every day in her career. She is also a strong believer in paying it forward, which is why she shares several gems for success with us! Tune in to learn how to be a strong advocate from one of the best in the field!

In this episode, I interview Jas Florentino (they/she), my friend and public health professional! 

Jas' public health journey began in nursing but in their final years of nursing school, they recognized that this was not a field they wanted long term. They decided to change their course and study public health at Georgia State University. Graduating with honors, Jas fell in love with public health and decided to pursue higher education!

Join us to hear how they balance graduate school and a full time position and how they received a scholarship from an unpaid position! I hope you enjoy this episode as we discuss our love for public health, the non profit industry, and the 3 most essential items you need to stand out in your interviews! 

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Banks. He explains how the conversations he would hear outside his mother's office were what led him to his successful public health career. We discuss the programs that he developed and participated in his community, focusing on teen pregnancy and other public health issues. 

With 6 degrees under his belt, Dr. Banks remains a student at heart and is always looking for something to learn. We are so thankful that he sat down with us to share what he has learned so far. He also reminds us to S.M.I.L.E. Make sure you tune in to find out how your S.M.I.L.E will land you the job you are seeking! 

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Sarah McCool, who is currently a Clinical Associate Professor in the School of Public Health at a nationally ranked university. With a Master’s degree and Ph.D. under her belt, Dr. McCool explored the world of public health through numerous positions in the United States and around the world. With years of experience in the public health industry and academia, she has valuable advice and information.

Oddly enough, she did not always start this way. We discuss her transition from an aspiring law professional to aspiring public health professional. She explains her experiences through the consulting and corporate world that led her to the position she is in now. As she recalls the lows and highs of her journey, she provides candid advice on how to reach success in the field of public health. Give it a listen to find out how she reframes her perspective on the obstacles of life.