The Public Health SPOTlight Podcast: stories, inspiration, and guidance to build your dream public health career PH SPOT

This week, our guest Christie VanHorne shares her career trajectory into public health from a background in history and involvement in humanitarian efforts.  From working as a health educator to creating her own public health consulting business and teaching at Vassar College, Christie's story highlights how hard work, staying true to yourself, and having a solid network are all crucial to building your dream career. Her  journey emphasizes the dynamic nature of professional and personal evolution, encouraging listeners to embrace change and growth.

You’ll Learn
Christie’s path into public health through a passion for human rights and social justiceHer work in South Africa with the Peace Corps and international health Building a strong network to open up doors to new opportunitiesDealing with toxic workplaces and how Christie founded her consulting businessHow education has been a common factor throughout all of Christie’s career and how her love for teaching led to a decision to pursue a DrPHDeciding between a DrPH and PhD and figuring out which path is best for youFinding your niche in public health, staying true to yourself, and traversing your journey at your own pace
Today’s Guest
Christie is a seasoned public health consultant with 20 years of experience. In 2015, she founded CVH Consulting, LLC., offering services to create impactful health education and training experiences for her clients. Christie has worked with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), the New York State Department of Health, the Hemophilia Federation of America, and many more organizations to design, develop, and update programs. She is also a subject matter expert on the social determinants and health equity for many continuing education projects for community-based organization staff and healthcare professionals. From her time in the Peace Corps in South Africa to teaching at Vassar College and all the career experiences in between, Christie's dedication to public health shines. Last year, she was recognized with the prestigious ATHENA Award, an international honor for women who demonstrate excellence in their profession, community service, and mentorship of future leaders. One of her current volunteer roles is serving as the Vice-Chair of the National Women’s Health Network Board of Directors. In August, Christie will start her Doctor of Public Health degree at Tulane University, specializing in Equity, Leadership, and Advocacy. She resides in the Hudson Valley, NY, with her beloved pups and husband.


Resources
Follow Christie on LinkedIn and Instagram Learn more about CVH Consulting

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In our latest podcast episode, we delve into a story of transition, courage, and the unwavering human spirit as our guest, Yasir Essar, swapped his dentistry scrubs for a career in public health amid the chaotic backdrop of a global pandemic and geopolitical turmoil. Yasir shares how visualizing achievements can provide a push to overcome challenges and demonstrates the powerful role mentors and community support play in guiding career paths, particularly for international students and professionals in new environments. His career transformation teaches us that with resilience, the right mindset, and community support, we can navigate through uncertainty and emerge with renewed purpose and aspirations.

You’ll Learn
How the COVID pandemic led Yasir to public and global health and steps he took to transition into the field from dentistryYasir’s experience continuing his education and career as a refugee in Canada, how he persevered through the uprooting of his life, and how his background shaped his current interest in refugee and global healthBuilding and relying on a social support group and mentors to achieve your dreams and other ways to visualize your goalsTips for international students and remembering to take the time to care for yourself in a new countryUsing LinkedIn with intentionality as a tool to network, facilitate advocacy, tell stories, and make an impact
Today’s Guest
Yasir is a former refugee from Afghanistan who holds an MSc in Global Health from McMaster University.

Prior to moving to Canada, he lived as a refugee in Tajikistan after fleeing Afghanistan. During his time as a refugee, he continued to share his lived experience of refugee life.


Currently, he works as a Research Assistant at Western University in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and as a Community Scholar at the University of Calgary. Additionally, he holds a visiting academic position with the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Southampton. 


Yasir’s professional journey is marked by an unwavering commitment to knowledge and a passion for making a real-world impact. His scholarly work has been published in prestigious journals such as The Lancet, BMJ, and PLoS. He is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP®) and holds multiple certificates from Wayne State University, the University of Geneva, McGill University, and the LinkedIn Learning Academy.


During his tenure as a Research Assistant at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, he focused particularly on tuberculosis research, further enriching his expertise in infectious disease research.


Yasir is always eager to connect with like-minded professionals, share insights, and explore collaborative opportunities. He is open to guest lecture invitations on the topics of refugees, mentorship, and global health.


Resources
Connect with Yasir on LinkedIn  Support the Show.
Join The Public Health Career Club: the #1 hangout spot and community dedicated to building and growing your dream public health career.

In this episode, Sujani delves into her personal struggles with speaking in public and how it affected her career in public health. She reflects on her initial reluctance to speak in various settings and her journey of self-improvement through the creation of her podcast.  Sujani shares that by creating opportunities to practice speaking, she was able to progressively build confidence and improve her communication skills. She emphasizes the importance of small, consistent steps toward facing and overcoming fears. Her transformation led to better engagement in conversations, more profound connections with colleagues, and the ability to speak up in meetings, which were once daunting tasks. By sharing her story, Sujani hopes to inspire listeners to embark on their own journeys of self-improvement and career advancement, proving that the challenges we face can become the catalysts for our triumphs.
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Today's episode features Dr. Charlotte Huntley, a public health entrepreneur and leader. We peel back the layers of her dynamic journey from a liberal arts and microbiology background to an influential career in epidemiology and entrepreneurship.  Our dialogue uncovers her dive into the pharmaceutical industry and how the entrepreneurial flame was kindled within her. As we pivot towards the impact of her work during a global pandemic, Dr. Huntley delves into the importance of communication in public health and the gratification of specializing her consulting services to aid BIPOC organizations. Join us as we draw inspiration from Dr. Huntley's narrative, illustrating the power of readiness for opportunities and the joy of a career intertwined with core values.


You’ll Learn
Dr. Huntley’s work in microbiology and healthcare and her pivot into epidemiology and community healthGlobal health and the pharmaceutical industry Dr. Huntley’s start in podcasting and how it grew into a thriving businessCOVID’s impact on Dr. Huntley’s new company and how it has evolved since then to primarily serve BIPOC communitiesGlance into the making of Dr. Huntley’s upcoming book on public health entrepreneurship
Today’s Guest
Dr. Charlotte Hughes Huntley, MPH is a public health entrepreneur and recognized leader in the public health industry. She has over 20 years of experience as an accomplished epidemiologist, microbiologist, consultant, and podcaster. Dr. Huntley is the CEO at DrCHHuntley, LLC, a public health and epidemiology consulting firm supporting large nonprofit organizations and government agencies that serve black, indigenous, and people of color commonly referred to as BIPOC communities. Her team is often invited to support tribal organizations and are always humbled and honored to serve. Through another arm of her business, Dr. Huntley and her team also provide resources and support to public health entrepreneurs.


Resources
Connect with Dr. Huntley on LinkedInLearn more about DrCHHuntley Consulting and listen to the Public Health Epidemiology Conversations podcast  Learn more about Public Health Entrepreneurs, the Mastermind program, and listen to the Public Health Entrepreneurs podcast  Support the Show.
Join The Public Health Career Club: the #1 hangout spot and community dedicated to building and growing your dream public health career.

Welcome to the Public Health Career Club. From sitting down with accomplished public health professionals who will spill the beans on making the most of your degree, to personalized career advice during our office hours – it's all happening here. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. We've packed our calendar with monthly resume clinics, mentorship sessions, and social mixers to spark lifelong connections. Stay tuned for our weekly workshops and special talks that promise to keep your professional growth on a constant upswing. If you're listening from April 10th to 12th, 2024, don't miss this golden opportunity to become a part of the Public Health Career Club. Let's roll up our sleeves and make a difference together!

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This week Sujani unveils the transformative power of weaving relationship-building into the very fabric of your daily life. From striking up a conversation with a colleague to reaching out to a professional you admire online, I'll demonstrate the omnipresence of networking opportunities. Whether you're taking your first steps in public health or you're a seasoned expert, this episode promises to revolutionize your approach to building relationships and expand your professional network in ways you never imagined. Let's get ready to transform the way you think about networking in public health. 
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Join The Public Health Career Club: the #1 hangout spot and community dedicated to building and growing your dream public health career.