By Serena A. McCovery, National Network of Public Health InstitutesÂ
My transition into public health has been more than a career shift; it’s been a source of personal awakening. This field has reshaped how I see the world, revealing how public health is woven into the fabric of everyday life. Public health is invisible and omnipresent, from the warning labels on electric kettles to the ADA-compliant buildings we pass on our commute. But beyond policies and infrastructure, it’s taught me about belonging, collaboration, and the courage to lead with conviction and authenticity.
Public Health Is Everywhere And For Everyone
Public health doesn’t just live in clinics or government reports; it’s in the seatbelts we buckle, the cups that don’t spill in our cars, and the smoke detectors in our homes. It’s a field that quietly ensures our safety while demanding bold action from those who uphold it. Working across sectors, I’ve seen how public health intersects with education, business, and urban design, proving that progress requires breaking silos and embracing unlikely partnerships.
The Leaders Who Inspire Me
I’ve had the honor of working alongside courageous leaders, from frontline workers to policymakers, who face balancing what’s right with public skepticism. These people persist, not with arrogance but with empathy: educating, listening, and sometimes standing firm in the face of opposition to protect the greater good. Their grace under pressure has redefined my understanding of leadership.
Mission-Driven World
As someone who entered public health without an MPH or prior experience in the field, my work has broadened my perspective on management and efficiency. It taught me that empowering individuals isn’t just about productivity; it’s about fostering purpose. I’ve witnessed teams thrive when people bring their whole, authentic selves to work, proving that passion fuels impact beyond spreadsheets.
What Public Health Has Taught Me
Over time, I’ve learned that:
- Public health looks out for everyone, especially the marginalized.
- Public health is a community built on trust and collective action.
- Public health experts share openly, lifting others rather than guarding knowledge.
- Public health professionals never stop learning, whether from data or human stories.
- Public health cultivates exceptional managers who lead with humility and vision.
- Public health demands courage to advocate, innovate, and endure criticism.
- Public health is the backbone of society, though rarely celebrated until crises strike.
- Public health is teamwork, a dance of collaboration no textbook could capture.
- Public health professionals are utility players. With the start of a new baseball season, I am reminded how they can adapt to whatever position the moment demands, from data analysts to policy advocates to crisis communicators.
But also:
- Public health can also bring grief. Its dreams are deferred, policies are stalled, programs are underfunded, and potential is unrealized. Knowing the right solution and watching it gather dust on a desk can be frustrating. Yet, even in frustration, there’s fuel to keep going.
Closing Reflection
Public health has humbled me, challenged me, and given me a lens to see the world as interconnected. It’s a field where small actions ripple outward, leadership means serving, and authenticity isn’t just welcomed but essential. To anyone considering this path: prepare to be transformed. You’ll leave with skills and a renewed belief in what people can achieve together.