APHA-SA: Biosketch Denesia Parris

APHA-SA: Biosketch Denesia D. Parris

Involvement in APHA-SA: 2013 Programming Committee Co-Chair

School: Tufts University School of Medicine

Department: Health Services, Management, & Policy

Degree Program: MPH in Health Services, Management, & Policy

Practice/Research Interests: Health care policy, health care outcomes, and health care disparities, maternal & child health policy

Other Leadership Activities: President- Community Health Advocates at Tufts (currently); Case Manager- The Sharewood Project (2011-2012); Co-President- Hopkins Organization for Pre-Health Education, H.O.P.E. (2008-2009)

Plans after school: Upon the completion of my Master in Public Health degree I hope to continue gaining relevant job experience in the field of public health in order to shape and prepare me to go back to school and obtain my Doctorate in Public Health in Health Policy.

Personal Statement about APHA-SA: Serving in leadership roles is something that is not foreign to me. I have always had a burning desire to gain more experience and enhance my knowledge. When I entered the public health field after deciding to put the pathway to becoming a physician to rest, I knew this field was perfect for me. I immediately joined APHA and the student assembly. I was overwhelmed by the amount of communication efforts to get people to involved and on the student assembly board. I applied for a couple of positions and finally I was appointed to the 2013 Programming Committee Co-Chair position. Though this is my first position on the student board, I know that this is the beginning of wonderful opportunities to come. I am excited to join a team of hardworking, diligent, creative, and talented future professionals in the field. Public health is an ever changing field and I am excited to serve in this organization.