Public Health

Remarks

erika ziller, chair of public health

Graduation is always bittersweet for the Public Health faculty as we say goodbye to students, yet are confident in the knowledge that they will make critical contributions to the health of Maine and beyond. Under COVID-19, the edges of these emotions are even sharper. We are deeply saddened that we can’t celebrate this important achievement directly with you and your loved ones right now. At the same time, we are inspired by your resilience and tenacity during this crisis. You have continued to show up, learn in unexpected formats, and expect the best we can teach you—all while exercising remarkable compassion for us and each other. While it’s hard not to be anxious about the future, I rest much easier knowing that each of you will be out there, becoming tomorrow’s public health leaders.

To our first cohort of undergraduates: you picked quite the time to study public health! Thank you for powering through the fledgling BSPH degree and bringing your unique gifts to our program. To our graduate students: thank you for the wisdom and experience you’ve contributed to classroom discussions, community projects, and faculty research. Thank you all for being part of our learning community—we are so proud of you!

special Recognitions

outstanding
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outstanding
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outstanding capstone

Jaclyn Janis

Jaclyn has numerous qualities that inspired the faculty to select her as one of the two MPH Outstanding Graduates this year. Her curiosity, commitment to academic excellence, and exceptional analytical skills are apparent to anyone who has taught or learned alongside Jaclyn. She also has a remarkable ability to focus and manifest opportunities that move her towards her academic and career goals, including authoring papers for journal publication and presenting at national conferences. This drive might be intimidating if it weren’t coupled with such generous humor and thoughtfulness. Whether she is contributing memes to themed project meetings, buying SAS-related jewelry for her mentors, or collaborating with workmates to design marshmallow peep dioramas on data science, Jaclyn consistently demonstrates these traits that make her a joy to learn and work with. Jaclyn, thank you for your many contributions to the MPH program—we know we don’t need to wish you success, but we enthusiastically do!

Carly Milkowski

The faculty were delighted to select Carly as one of the two MPH Outstanding Graduates this year. Though Carly has a gentle demeanor, it is combined with an intense commitment to service and social justice that inspires those who have the privilege to learn and work with her. She began her work in the nonprofit field as an AmericaCorps volunteer for the Food Rescue initiative at Wayside Food Programs, where she spent another eight years managing food access programs. Carly’s passion for food and health equity was evident throughout her MPH degree, whether she was writing about rural adverse childhood experiences or advocating for public health policy to address racial and ethnic disparities in environmental toxins. Carly maintains poise under pressure, as demonstrated by her ability to quickly pivot and produce a Capstone on the risks of COVID-19 to rural food security. This also translates into calming support for colleagues, as demonstrated by her contributions to the Maine Rural Health Research Center’s competitive reapplication for funding and an article submission to the American Journal of Public Health. Carly, your kindness, cultural humility, and commitment to the social justice roots of public health inspire your fellow students and faculty. We will miss having you in the classroom but hope to find opportunities to collaborate in the future!

Gabby Tilton

We are proud to award the outstanding MPH Capstone to Gabby Tilton for her project: “Vaping and Smoking Rates: Assessing Maine High Schooler's Risk.” To support the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Gabby analyzed data from the Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey to examine changes over time in youth smoking and vaping. She also conducted complex analyses to identify factors that are associated with higher rates of youth vaping. Not only did this demanding project provide important information about the health risks of Maine’s young people, but it responded to the needs of one of our key community health partners. Finally, Gabby set her project apart through expert use of data and information visualization in reporting her findings. Congratulations Gabby!

graduates

Master of Public Health

amanda burgess

Getting to know my fellow students was a highlight of the program. The varied professional and life experiences of MPH students made for rich classroom discussions.

Chesley Ferris

During my time as a student in the Muskie School, I have grown both professionally and personally. I have served as a Student Representative on the Muskie Student Organization, worked with community partners, and learned valuable knowledge from my professors. I am extremely thankful to have been given the privilege to learn from such brilliant minds. My time as an MPH student has prepared me well for a future in public health and the experiences I have will forever be a part me.

Jaclyn Janis

I had the opportunity to conduct interesting and meaningful research with Kate Ahrens and Erika Ziller. They both provided exceptional mentoring and helped me begin a career as a data analyst.

More about Amanda

Plans for after graduation:I will continue working as a Research Associate at the Cutler Institute.
Favorite course:MPH 660 Health Policy

More about Chesley


Plans for after graduation:When I entered graduate school, I had a clear and defined path for my future. Having a background in nutrition, my purpose of continuing education was to pursue a job in public health nutrition. After taking a wide variety of public health courses, my interests have expanded to include other areas of the field, such as quality improvement and population health. As my interests have expanded, I have begun to realize that my true passion lies in working towards bettering the health of communities. While public health nutrition is still an option for my future, my future now contains more doors than one. Upon graduation I look forward to exploring the job market and utilizing my skills to help make a difference.
Favorite professor or course:All of them!

More about Jaclyn

Plans for after graduation:I began my current position as a data analyst at the Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation at Maine Medical Center in 2019. I intend to continue growing in this role beyond the MPH.
Favorite course:My favorite course was American Health Systems, with Erika Ziller.

Carly milkowski

I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to work closely with two of my professors, Drs. Erika Ziller and Brenda Joly, to research and draft manuscripts to submit to peer-reviewed publications. It was such a valuable experience, and it really helped push my research and writing skills to a new level.

louisa munk

I am truly grateful for the GA opportunities made available to MPH students. These assistantships and mentorships were very valuable experiences during my time at USM.

Gabby Tilton

The most valuable experiences I have had during my time at USM were the real world experiences through my field placement and capstone. These provided me with the opportunity to work in the field and gain a greater understanding of different career paths in public health.

More about Carly


Plans for after graduation:I am hoping to find a position doing applied public health research. My goal is to use my research skills to inform public health programming and policy at the community level.
Favorite bcourse:I really enjoyed Health Policy, and I also got to take a Food Studies course on Food Policy and Planning, which is a particular interest of mine.

More about Louisa


Plans for after graduation:I’m hoping to pursue a career in the field of public health and continue to make use of my research and data visualization skills.
Favorite professor or course:Professor Erika Ziller, and her health policy course in particular, were very impactful in shaping my broader understanding of public health. Thank you, Erika, for all that you do for the MPH program!

More about Gabby


Ryal Sligh

USM was a great experience for me to change my career and learn the skills and make connections to really make a difference.

Jeremy Zuckero

All the amazing and talented grad students. Wealth of backgrounds and experience, great connection to have.

More about Ryan

Favorite professor:Brenda Joly

More about Jeremy

Plans for after graduation:Looking for work! Would like to stay in Maine if I can.
Favorite professor:Sounds like I'm blowing smoke, but honestly, the public health faculty as a whole was great to work with. They are doing outstanding work and I've enjoyed learning from and working with them. Special shout out to my advisor, Erika Ziller.

Additional MPH Graduates

Amanda Burgess

Julie Greene

Laurel Lindberg

Randy Morrison

Brooke Pochee-Smith

Kevin Robbins

Students: Fill out this form to share a photo and something about your Muskie School experience.

Bachelor of Science in Public Health

Grace itumba

I was surprised at the number of opportunities for students to get involved on Campus and Financial Aid departments are very organized.

Sierra smith

In my two years at USM I value most the experiences I’ve had with classmates who are equally as dedicated to improving our world.
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Elizabeth Wiest

Getting to work with other students and faculty that share a passion for Public Health has been an experience I will never forget and has most definitely helped to prepare me for my future career.

More about Grace

Plans for after graduation:I am planing to continue my education to get Master degree in Public Heath
Favorite course:US heath care system

More about Sierra

Favorite course:Toward a Global Ethics with Michelle Vazquez Jacobus

More about Elizabeth

Favorite course:My favorite course was a community health class (CON 356) that I took my Sophomore year. It is what introduced me to the field of Public Health and sparked my curiosity.

Additional BPH Graduates

Chelsea Rairdon



Students: Fill out this form to share a photo and something about your Muskie School experience.

Certificate of Graduate Study in Healthcare Quality & Patient Safety

jennifer alexander

I have made many personal and professional connections during my time at USM. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience!

Chesley Ferris

During my time as a student in the Muskie School, I have grown both professionally and personally. I have served as a Student Representative on the Muskie Student Organization, worked with community partners, and learned valuable knowledge from my professors. I am extremely thankful to have been given the privilege to learn from such brilliant minds. My time as an MPH student has prepared me well for a future in public health and the experiences I have will forever be a part me.

Meredith Madden

The content and experiences throughout my coursework were incredible! I am graduating with inspiration and passion to bring this information to my profession of athletic training and to my own students at USM.

More about Jennifer


Plans for after graduation:I will be continuing on with the MPH degree program.
Favorite professor:I have loved all of my professors! Judy Tupper has made a lasting impression on me though, and I have loved every one of the courses I have taken with her!

More about Chesley


Plans for after graduation:When I entered graduate school, I had a clear and defined path for my future. Having a background in nutrition, my purpose of continuing education was to pursue a job in public health nutrition. After taking a wide variety of public health courses, my interests have expanded to include other areas of the field, such as quality improvement and population health. As my interests have expanded, I have begun to realize that my true passion lies in working towards bettering the health of communities. While public health nutrition is still an option for my future, my future now contains more doors than one. Upon graduation I look forward to exploring the job market and utilizing my skills to help make a difference.
Favorite professor or course:All of them!

More about Meredith


Elizabeth Murphy

My classes have been so valuable and interesting, and translate directly to skills and tools I use every day at work. I'm grateful to all my professors and fellow students for a wonderful experience.

Jeremy Zuckero

All the amazing and talented grad students. Wealth of backgrounds and experience, great connection to have.

More about Elizabeth

Plans for after graduation:I'll be continuing on to get my MPH.
Favorite course or professor:I couldn't possibly pick one favorite course or professor.

More about Jeremy

Plans for after graduation:Looking for work! Would like to stay in Maine if I can.
Favorite professor:Sounds like I'm blowing smoke, but honestly, the public health faculty as a whole was great to work with. They are doing outstanding work and I've enjoyed learning from and working with them. Special shout out to my advisor, Erika Ziller.

Additional HQP-CGS Graduates

Kristin Stewart




Students: Fill out this form to share a photo and something about your Muskie School experience.

Certificate of Graduate Study in Public Health

katharine knight

My certificate year was a turning point in my professional direction. When I began the program, my interest in public health resonated with my prior work in global environmental politics in college and my desire to serve marginalized populations. I really had no idea what particular piece of public health I would pursue. I now know that I want to pursue epidemiology, and am extremely excited about pursuing my master’s in that field.

More about Katharine


Additional PHE-CGS Graduates

Robert Descoteaux




Students: Fill out this form to share a photo and something about your Muskie School experience.