In this episode, we speak with Dr. Jo Ivey Boufford and Reilly Fitzpatrick (MPH/MSW '23) about the power of student-faculty connectivity. Reilly discusses her transition from a biology background and Peace Corps service in Zambia to NYU's dual-degree program, where she sought to combine clinical social work skills with the macro-scale impact of public health. Dr. Boufford, a practitioner with deep experience in government and nonprofit sectors, explains how their parallel career arcs led to a high-impact collaboration on New York State health policy. By engaging with Dr. Boufford’s lab and the New York State Public Health and Health Planning Council, Reilly gained the training necessary to navigate complex public deliberations and state public health meetings. Reilly’s story is a testament to how GPH's commitment to applied practice ensures alumni graduate with the technical skills and professional networks to lead meaningful change in the world.
