What’s your name?
Phoebe Downer
What’s your job title?
Project Coordinator
Where's your hometown?
Central Maine
What kind of projects do you work on at GPH?
I work at New York City Treats Tobacco, a grant held by Dr. Donna Shelley within the NYU School of Global Public Health. We work with medical and behavioral health care organizations to improve their tobacco dependence treatment practices. My two main types of projects are practice facilitation – working with health systems to foster change – and educating legislators. Right now I’m meeting with legislators across all five boroughs to teach them about the persistent harms caused by tobacco and the work we do to address them!
How long have you been at NYU?
4 months
Is there an NYU benefit or perk that you use or think everyone should know about?
The Box Office! There are great deals on tickets for plays, musicals, and music all over the city.
What is your favorite spot on campus?
The absolute best thing about New York is people watching and Washington Square Park delivers.
Do you have a hidden talent? If yes, please explain:
I can reach my right arm all the way around my head and touch my right ear.
What are you reading right now?
A book about mushrooms and capitalism. Ask me again later if I recommend it.
What is your favorite interest or hobby? Tell us about it:
Last year I ran over all 17 (pedestrian accessible) bridges off the island of Manhattan. My controversial ranking puts the George Washington and Manhattan at the top for aesthetics and Williamsburg at the bottom. I'm currently plotting to run all five boroughs of bridges.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Celebrate the successes of others (friends, coworkers, whoever!) just as much as you celebrate your own. Sincere joy for their wins makes everyone happier!
Favorite comfort food:
Popcorn - I make it on the stove and put salt, nutritional yeast, and dill on it.