Transition to Public Health and Public Service Brandy

Transition to Public Health and Public Service Brandy Heckman-Stoddard, Ph. D, MPH Cancer 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 ≥ 30% <10% 10%– 14% Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, CDC 15%– 19% 20%– 24% 25%– 29%

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 of North Carolina Harvard University of Michigan Columbia University Emory 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!