What is your favorite public health experience and why?
“Using my public health lens to create a business case on expanding access and partnership for community health options to treat pediatric patients with mental health disorders and autism. I felt I was able to merge the business part of healthcare with public health as some of the best and most healing aspects of care are grounded in community settings.”
What is your proudest public health moment and why?
“Serving the front lines everyday during COVID. While I was not working in the hospital rooms I was serving as a leader at the front entrances and vaccine lines helping to coordinate a safe environment for our employees and the patients who still needed to get their meds and treatment at the height of the pandemic. Made me realize even more public health is everywhere!”
What has been your most challenging public health experience and why?
“My most fulfilling and challenging experience are the same. While I was a leader during the pandemic and worked in the hospital and clinics showing up everyday with uncertainty, regulations changing and trying to communicate that to staff and the patients was one of the hardest things I had to encounter. I was burnt out and exhausted and even really scared at times especially in the beginning of the pandemic!”
Why do you care about public health?
“Public health to me is about the systems that are created around us to keep us healthy—not just the direct healthcare system but education system, policies, food, and gun violence. When we can examine the root of our problems with a systemic lens we can truly make an impact and difference.”
What is your public health story?
“I had all intents to go to medical school and learned about public health through the Health Career Connection internship. From there I was passionate about impacting health disparities because I lived it my whole life. I got my MPH in community health education as a way to better inform my application to medical school and practice as a physician. However I was granted a hospital operations fellowship in my gap year and that changed my life! I learned I can impact the health system by working in one and learning ways to improve and provide access throughout the member care journey. Since then I have stayed in healthcare administration working at a Health system and use my public health lens of equity to make the changes I want to see!”
What public health advice would you like to give?
“While there is no set path in public health because it is everywhere, I encourage you to follow your interests and passions foremost and that will help guide where you go in the field!”
Anything else you’d like to share?
“Thank you!”
Instagram: @Jaennika.James
Bay Area Public Health 