Danielle Bus discovered her passion for public health through the challenges of working as a nurse during the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting as a med-surg nurse, she quickly took on the critical role of managing a COVID-19 testing site and contact tracing program. These experiences highlighted the importance of clear communication and evidence-based strategies in protecting public health. Danielle is particularly driven by the need to address disparities in healthcare access and outcomes, and to ensure that underserved communities receive support. Now, as a Master’s in Public Health student, she aims to foster collaboration and create systemic change to enhance community wellbeing. |
Alyssa Dressor (she/her) graduated from the University of Washington, Tacoma with her undergraduate degree in Psychology in 2021. Alyssa has always had a keen interest in the healthcare/medical field. Prior to pursuing her undergraduate degree, she considered a career in nursing and completed all the pre-reqs for her associates degree. While Alyssa was doing her undergraduate work, the world was enduring the global COVID 19 pandemic. This experience further focused her interest in healthcare and, more specifically, the field of public health. She wanted to gain a better understanding of ways to create positive changes to ensure everyone can live their happiest, healthiest, and best lives. Alyssa began studying for her master of public health in the fall of 2023. Learning the history of different infectious diseases, as well as the responses to them, has been an eye-opening experience. Her current goal is to continue her studies and work towards becoming a medical director. In her free time, Alyssa stays busy working out, traveling, spending time with family and friends, and going to concerts. |
Benjamin Hill is an experienced marketing executive with expertise in healthcare and technology industries, strategy, marketing, communications and digital marketing. He is currently serving as Chair of Integrated Marketing for Mayo Clinic. In this role, his teams deliver marketing strategies, plans and execution for Mayo Clinic’s three U.S. sites, Mayo Clinic International, Mayo Clinic London, the three-state Mayo Clinic community health system and Mayo Clinic physician’s group. Previously, he led marketing efforts for MultiCare Health System and Northwestern Medicine, driving brand growth and recognition. He also serves as Board Chair for Food Lifeline, a nonprofit supporting food security in Western Washington. Benjamin holds a Master of Business Management from Northwestern and a Masters of Science in Business Analytics from the University of Washington. He is currently pursuing a Master of Public Health from the University of Puget Sound. |
Nicole Hirao (she/her) graduated with an Environmental Studies degree from Saint Martin’s University in May 2023. Nicole has been interested in community health and health equity for much of her education. Community health and environmental health formed a major undercurrent throughout her undergraduate studies, where she wrote several research papers that were focused in these areas. However, she was not formally introduced to the field of public health until she took an introduction to public health course during the fall of her senior year. During that semester she realized that her own interests had already led her to begin studying public health, before really knowing what it was. This experience inspired her to pursue her master of public health degree. Nicole’s current focus is the intersection of health and the environment. She’s particularly interested in how historic redlining drives neighborhood disinvestment, racial health disparities, and disparities in wealth through homeownership. As she has continued to learn about public health, Nicole has been surprised by how broad the scope of public health is, and yet, how the varied aspects (environment, social, medical, etc.) are often interconnected. In her free time, you might find Nicole trying out a new recipe or a new place to eat; she’s currently looking to find the best ramen and boba spots in the area. |
Nafiseh NajmAfshar, a dedicated dentist from Iran, grew up in a family of medical professionals who inspired her to pursue a career in healthcare. She earned her doctorate from Urmia University of Medical Science and gained extensive experience in areas like endodontics and periodontics. While she enjoyed clinical work, Nafiseh’s experience volunteering in low-resource areas sparked a desire to address health issues on a larger scale. Her search for a program that emphasized community health and equitable access led her to the Puget Sound area, where she saw parallels between public health needs among Indigenous populations in the U.S. and rural communities in Iran. While pursuing a master’s degree in public health, she aims to learn best practices in public health outreach and policy, with a vision of advancing health education and preventative care for underserved populations. |
Pratibha Thomas brings a deep commitment to strengthening public health systems and advancing community well-being to the MPH program. Having seen the importance of accessible health education during the COVID-19 pandemic, she’s driven to promote healthier lifestyles and improve public health infrastructure. While working as a physical therapist in India, Pratibha observed many rehabilitation patients with preventable, noncommunicable diseases. Similarly, she also saw disproportionate health disparities in older patients. These experiences inspired her to shift towards more preventive actions that could reach larger populations before their health issues reached acute levels requiring long-term rehabilitative care. Currently, Pratibha is expanding her expertise by pursuing a master’s degree in Public Health. She plans to focus on health education and disease prevention. She envisions a career as an epidemiologist, health educator, or public health advocate, working to create lasting, positive health outcomes across communities
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Bethany Warnick (she/her) graduated from Central Washington University in June of 2023 with her undergraduate degree in Biomedical with Science Specialization. Prior to beginning her MPH coursework, Bethany worked in the healthcare field as a pharmacy assistant/billing administrator. During this time she also volunteered as a scribe for a local nonprofit that provides support for the people living without homes. Bethany saw first hand the gap in care available for different populations living in the same area. These experiences inspired her to study public health, so that she can find impactful strategies to bridge the gap between marginalized populations in her community and healthcare access. During her studies at the University of Puget Sound, Bethany wants to gain a deeper understanding of how health systems operate, with the ultimate goal of identifying ways to implement improved policies and procedures that can eliminate barriers for marginalized populations. She’s also interested to continue learning about the varied specializations within the field of public health, as she explores the many potential areas of alignment for her clinical background in Biomedical Sciences. When not at school or work, Bethany enjoys spending time with her 13 year-old rescue dog, Kylee, who has taught her a lot about the importance of helping those who don’t have the means to help themselves. |
Alexandria Zanger’s passion for public health began during her time in speech pathology, where she witnessed the challenges faced by students in under-resourced communities. Her experiences motivated her to seek out evidence-based approaches to addressing systemic health disparities. She is especially committed to empowering individuals with the tools and knowledge they need to lead healthier lives. Now, as a Master’s in Public Health student at the University of Puget Sound, she’s focused on making health resources more accessible and equitable. Alexandria plans to work as an epidemiologist to identify disparities and support marginalized communities to create lasting change. |