Transition to Public Health and Public Service

Brandy Heckman-Stoddard, PhD, MPHCancer Prevention Fellow

Division of Cancer Prevention

Disclosure

• The presentation is my personal opinion and not a reflection of the National Cancer Institute.

Outline

• What is Public Health

• Ways to Transition

What is Public Health?

Public Health is the science and practice of protecting and improving the health of a community, as by preventative medicine, health education, control of communicable diseases, application of sanitary measures, and monitoring of environmental hazards. (The American Heritage Dictionary)

No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% 25%–29% ≥30%

Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, CDC

The Value of an MPH

• Strong foundation of epidemiology and biostatistics as well as health communication and policy

• Additional training in clinical research

MPH Programs

• Johns Hopkins University

• University of North Carolina

• Harvard University

• University of Michigan

• Columbia University

• Emory University

• University of Washington

Career Options

• Health Policy and Management: Academic Policy Advisor, Legislative Policy Advisor, Management Policy Advisor

• Epidemiology: State Epidemiologist, Research Epidemiologist, Pharmacoepidemiologist

• Behavioral Science and Health Education: Behavior Scientist, Health Educator, Mental Health Researcher

• Health Communications: Communications Specialist, Journalist

• International and Global Health: International HIV Specialist, Tropical Disease Specialist

• Public Health Preparedness and Function: State Epidemiologist, Laboratory Director, Public Health Lawyer

Current Cancer Prevention Fellows

What is the Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program (CPFP)?

• Post-doctoral Fellowship with 25 year history; for early career scientists

• Multidisciplinary

• Independent, mentored-research in cancer prevention

• 10-15 Fellows selected annually through competitive process; support for 4 years

Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program: Program Components

• Master of Public Health degree• Mentored research• Summer Curriculum in Cancer Prevention• Fellows’ Research Meetings• Cancer Prevention and Control Colloquia• Grant writing workshop • Professional development training (e.g.,

leadership, oral presentations)

NCI Summer Curriculum in Cancer Prevention

• Two courses:

– Principles and Practice of Cancer Prevention and Control

– Molecular Prevention

• Lecturers: senior scientists and practitioners

• ~85 participants per course (~50% international)

• Annual “Advances in Cancer Prevention” Lecture

Other fellowships that help with the transition

• Commissioner’s Fellowship at the FDA

• AAAS Science and Technology Fellowship

• Emerging Infectious Disease Fellowship at the CDC

• Presidential Management Fellows

Final Thought

Even if you stay in bench science a knowledge and understanding of the

public health literature can be a great asset to both your publication record and your ability to get grant

funding.

Thank you!