In this episode, Sujani sits down with Glenn Laverack, a seasoned public health professional whose career has spanned continents and been shaped by his diverse experiences. His early years engaged with grassroots initiatives laid the foundation for a deep understanding of the local context, an asset that would become invaluable as he navigated the complex world of global health. They explore the significance of community empowerment in making a meaningful impact and touch upon the multifaceted nature of public health careers that are often characterized by an ongoing process of learning, adapting, and seizing opportunities explore the significance of community empowerment in making a meaningful impact. This episode not only serves as a compass for those looking to forge a career in global health but also highlights the collective mission of improving community health and shaping policy.


You’ll Learn

• Glenn’s first experience volunteering in Sri Lanka and how that has led to a lifelong passion and a career in international health
• The lifestyle choices inherent in a global career that demands international mobility and the enriching experiences it can offer
• Having direct experience in field work and using your assets to provide a competitive edge in the public health field
• Factors to consider when thinking about continuing postgraduate studies
• Empowering communities to have more voice and authority about projects that will influence their lives
• Understanding what it is you want to achieve in public health to figure out how you can make the most impact
• The pivotal role that personal connections and networking play in professional development

Today’s Guest

Dr. Glenn Laverack is a social scientist and an international leader in health promotion and empowerment with a distinguished career for 40 years as a practitioner, an academic, researcher and consultant in more than 50 countries. Dr Laverack has been an advocate for the value of ordinary people at the centre of health promotion and has developed several innovative solutions to co-create successful programs in different cultural contexts. He formerly worked as a Coordinator (Empowerment) in neglected tropical diseases at WHO, Geneva and as a research fellow at Flinders University, Australia. Dr Laverack has managed several large-scale health programs including in Ghana and India and worked as a consultant on more than 100 contracts worldwide. He has a wide range of publications including 26 books, 12 in English and 14 in other languages including in Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, French, Farsi, Italian, Chinese and Thai. Dr Laverack has been a visiting professor at 6 universities in Denmark, Italy, the UAE and the UK and was the Director of Health Promotion, University of Auckland, New Zealand. His PhD investigated the collaborative role of communities in health promotion programs in Fiji and is presently an independent adviser with the UN, governmental and international development agencies.

Resources

• Connect with Glenn on LinkedIn and find his work on ResearchGate
• Learn more about Glenn’s book, ”Health Promotion Practice: Power and Empowerment”
• Learn more about Global Health Mentorships

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Join The Public Health Career Club: the #1 hangout spot and community dedicated to building and growing your dream public health career.

This week, our guest Christie VanHorne shares her career trajectory into public health from a background in history and involvement in humanitarian efforts. From working as a health educator to creating her own public health consulting business and teaching at Vassar College, Christie's story highlights how hard work, staying true to yourself, and having a solid network are all crucial to building your dream career. Her journey emphasizes the dynamic nature of professional and personal evolution, encouraging listeners to embrace change and growth.

You’ll Learn

• Christie’s path into public health through a passion for human rights and social justice
  • Her work in South Africa with the Peace Corps and international health
• Building a strong network to open up doors to new opportunities
• Dealing with toxic workplaces and how Christie founded her consulting business
• How education has been a common factor throughout all of Christie’s career and how her love for teaching led to a decision to pursue a DrPH
  • Deciding between a DrPH and PhD and figuring out which path is best for you
• Finding your niche in public health, staying true to yourself, and traversing your journey at your own pace

Today’s Guest

Christie is a seasoned public health consultant with 20 years of experience. In 2015, she founded CVH Consulting, LLC., offering services to create impactful health education and training experiences for her clients. Christie has worked with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), the New York State Department of Health, the Hemophilia Federation of America, and many more organizations to design, develop, and update programs. She is also a subject matter expert on the social determinants and health equity for many continuing education projects for community-based organization staff and healthcare professionals. From her time in the Peace Corps in South Africa to teaching at Vassar College and all the career experiences in between, Christie's dedication to public health shines. Last year, she was recognized with the prestigious ATHENA Award, an international honor for women who demonstrate excellence in their profession, community service, and mentorship of future leaders. One of her current volunteer roles is serving as the Vice-Chair of the National Women’s Health Network Board of Directors. In August, Christie will start her Doctor of Public Health degree at Tulane University, specializing in Equity, Leadership, and Advocacy. She resides in the Hudson Valley, NY, with her beloved pups and husband.

Resources

• Follow Christie on LinkedIn and Instagram
• Learn more about CVH Consulting

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Join The Public Health Career Club: the #1 hangout spot and community dedicated to building and growing your dream public health career.

In our latest podcast episode, we delve into a story of transition, courage, and the unwavering human spirit as our guest, Yasir Essar, swapped his dentistry scrubs for a career in public health amid the chaotic backdrop of a global pandemic and geopolitical turmoil. Yasir shares how visualizing achievements can provide a push to overcome challenges and demonstrates the powerful role mentors and community support play in guiding career paths, particularly for international students and professionals in new environments. His career transformation teaches us that with resilience, the right mindset, and community support, we can navigate through uncertainty and emerge with renewed purpose and aspirations.

You’ll Learn

• How the COVID pandemic led Yasir to public and global health and steps he took to transition into the field from dentistry
• Yasir’s experience continuing his education and career as a refugee in Canada, how he persevered through the uprooting of his life, and how his background shaped his current interest in refugee and global health
• Building and relying on a social support group and mentors to achieve your dreams and other ways to visualize your goals
• Tips for international students and remembering to take the time to care for yourself in a new country
• Using LinkedIn with intentionality as a tool to network, facilitate advocacy, tell stories, and make an impact

Today’s Guest

Yasir is a former refugee from Afghanistan who holds an MSc in Global Health from McMaster University.

Prior to moving to Canada, he lived as a refugee in Tajikistan after fleeing Afghanistan. During his time as a refugee, he continued to share his lived experience of refugee life.

Currently, he works as a Research Assistant at Western University in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and as a Community Scholar at the University of Calgary. Additionally, he holds a visiting academic position with the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Southampton.

Yasir’s professional journey is marked by an unwavering commitment to knowledge and a passion for making a real-world impact. His scholarly work has been published in prestigious journals such as The Lancet, BMJ, and PLoS. He is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP®) and holds multiple certificates from Wayne State University, the University of Geneva, McGill University, and the LinkedIn Learning Academy.

During his tenure as a Research Assistant at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, he focused particularly on tuberculosis research, further enriching his expertise in infectious disease research.

Yasir is always eager to connect with like-minded professionals, share insights, and explore collaborative opportunities. He is open to guest lecture invitations on the topics of refugees, mentorship, and global health.

Resources

• Connect with Yasir on LinkedIn

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Join The Public Health Career Club: the #1 hangout spot and community dedicated to building and growing your dream public health career.