Health Care Access

Hannah Rice

Expanding horizons: Finding career success in unexpected public health role

Hannah Rice, MPH ’25

Hannah Rice, MPH '25, navigated a challenging job market to find meaningful work addressing health disparities in managed care. Her University of Michigan School of Public Health education in Health Behavior and Health Education, combined with coursework in implementation science and health insurance, prepared her for unexpected career opportunities in St. Louis.

Halimat Olaniyan

How public health shaped a doctor's world view

Halimat Olaniyan, BS ’19

Halimat Olaniyan was among the first students in Michigan Public Health’s undergraduate program. Now finishing her medical residency in pathology, she credits her public health education with shaping her worldview and career path toward transfusion medicine, health equity, and preventing illness rather than just treating disease.

Anand Parekh

Alumnus Dr. Anand Parekh named inaugural chief health policy officer

Veteran policy expert brings decades of federal experience to Michigan Public Health

When Anand Parekh, BA, MPH ’02, MD, was selected as the University of Michigan School of Public Health’s inaugural chief health policy officer, it wasn't just a new job—it was a homecoming that represented the culmination of a remarkable career dedicated to transforming public health.

Eesha Acharya at the Public Health Honors

Transforming global health through compassionate research

Eesha Acharya, BA ’25

Eesha Acharya earned a dual degree in degree in Community and Global Public Health and in Economics as well as a minor in Public Policy from the University of Michigan to form a unique approach to solving complex global challenges. She was named the Student Leader of the Year at the Public Health Honors event in the spring, and her involvement with the Global Health Alliance was a cornerstone of her college experience at Michigan Public Health.

Isabelle Duong wearing her graduation gown

Childhood challenges shape public health advocate's inspiring journey

Isabelle Duong, BS ’24

As a child—as young as 9—Isabelle Duong was thrust into the complexities of healthcare systems. Both of her parents are Vietnamese refugees who fled during the Vietnam War, and navigating the American and Canadian healthcare systems for her mother, who battles lupus, fell on Duong. The experience not only had a great influence on her views of public health but also encouraged her to champion student voices on public health issues.

Irving Suarez

Transforming public health research into real-world impact

Irving Suarez, MPH ’25

Irving Suarez is committed to ensuring that public health research translates into meaningful action. As a student earning a Master of Public Health in Health Behavior and Health Education from the University of Michigan School of Public Health, he is motivated by the desire to apply research findings to real-world problems, ensuring “they don’t just gather dust on shelves.”