Alumni Network Steering Committee

The steering committee consists of recent alumni who have dedicated their time to engage the CUNY SPH alumni community. This group organizes events and disseminates content throughout the academic year to bring alumni together to keep them connected to the school as well as each other.

Tess E. Baldwin

SPH alum stats: MPH in Health Policy and Management, Spring 2023

Current role & organization: Infodemiologist with Critica Science & Graduate TA at CUNY SPH

LinkedIn Url: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessebaldwin/

Undergraduate Degree and School: B.A. in nonfiction writing from Hunter College

Why are you a proud CUNY SPH alum?: I absolutely loved my program, and it was always a joy to work with and learn from my fellow students, colleagues, and professors. The people at CUNY SPH are amazing and accomplished, and I am incredibly proud to represent a school that brings folks together from across the globe and furthers their journeys in becoming the next cohort of public health leaders.

Favorite SPH course and why: Dr. J. Robin Moon’s Public Health Management class, as I learned a great deal about developing effective health policies and implementing them in real-world situations. I also greatly enjoyed Dr. Chris Palmedo’s Social Marketing class and learning about the theories behind and development of innovative marketing and communication strategies.

Favorite public health-related book/movie/show: The Knick

Personal fun fact: I previously worked as a licensed New York City tour guide, with my favorite tours centering on Grand Central Terminal and subway/railroading history.

Pasani Dharmasena

SPH alum stats: MPH in Health Policy and Management, Spring 2023

Current role & organization: Research Assistant with the CUNY SPH Center for Immigrant, Refugee, and Global Health

LinkedIn Url: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pasani-dharmasena

Undergraduate Degree and School: Medical Anthropology, City College of New York/Macaulay Honors College

Why are you a proud CUNY SPH alum?: Everyone at CUNY SPH has supported me in my endeavors to learn about and address public health issues around us. The experiences I have had at this school have motivated my lifelong aspirations to address health disparities from a local to a global level.

Favorite SPH course and why: HPAM 624 Public Health Advocacy with Professor Cohen. This course was daunting at first, but it pushed me to get out of my comfort zone and engage with the community and legislators to try and implement change.

Personal fun fact: I have a greeting card business called Cardani Cards.

Margrethe Horlyck-Romanovsky

SPH alum stats: DrPH, Community, Society and Health, Spring 2018

Current role & organization: Assistant Professor, Department of Health and Nutrition Sciences, Brooklyn College, CUNY

LinkedIn Url: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margrethehr/

Undergraduate Degree and School: MPH, Nutrition, Hunter College, CUNY; BS Nutrition, Ankerhus Seminarium, Denmark.

Why are you a proud CUNY SPH alum? Because I am passionate about public higher education institutions that compete with private institutions with far more money and power.

Favorite SPH course and why: DrPH Quantitative Methods with Bill Gallo. Because it really got me fired up about data analysis.

Favorite public health-related book/movie/show: The Warmth of Other Suns (Book), Contagion (Movie) and New Amsterdam (Netflix)

Personal fun fact: I have kayaked around Manhattan more than 25 times.

Yao Kra

SPH alum stats: MPH, Health Policy & Management, Spring 2023

Current role & organization: NYS Medicaid Provider (RN)

LinkedIn Url: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yao-kra-460247139/

Undergraduate Degree and School: RN, AASN, BSN- College of Staten Island (CUNY)

Why are you a proud CUNY SPH alum?: I am a proud alum because of the great positive academic reputation of the institution, and for the quality of the public health programs at the school. Their social engagement, which promotes justice and equity in health outcomes, is an ideal I share and care about.

Favorite SPH course and why: PUBH 612 was my favorite course. It introduced me to the theories and concepts regarding health programs designs and evaluations. This course gave me the knowledge and understanding about how to create and manage healthcare infrastructures in any given population setting. I think access to healthcare infrastructures is a prerequisite to closing disparities and achieving equity in health outcomes among the different sections of the populations.

Personal fun fact: The Power to Heal (movie)

Personal fun fact: I once was on a journey to learn about other cultures through their culinary and diet traditions. I went to different ethnic food restaurants, to enjoy a multitude of dishes. NYC offers a unique opportunity, with the rich and deep diversity of its populations.

Pavan Lohia

SPH alum stats: MPH, Community Health & Social Science, Spring 2020

Current role & organization: CEO of PavLyfe Healthcare, LLC & Medical Student (MD)

LinkedIn Url: www.linkedin.com/in/lohiapavan/

Undergraduate Degree and School: BS, Public Health Sciences & Business Management, University of California, Irvine

Why are you a proud CUNY SPH alum? SPH serves one of the greatest cities in the world, combined with phenomenal faculty and students, I’m proud to be a graduate of an innovative public health school. As former student government president and current honor’s society President, I have taken pride in promoting the future of public health education. I utilize the skills and relations I’ve developed at SPH to help promote a healthier tomorrow through my healthcare company, PavLyfe Healthcare and also in my studies as I am currently pursuing my Medical Doctorate.

Favorite SPH course and why: CHSS 695- Public Health & Politics ,was truly one of my favorite courses with Prof Sergio Costa because of the topics and also the impact such politics has on American Healthcare. This course furthered my passion to eventually use my public health background and pursue involvements in politics.

Favorite public health-related book/movie/show: House M.D.

Personal fun fact: I’ve traveled to over 25 cities and 6 countries for Tiesto concerts.

Emanuel Mejia

SPH alum stats: MPH Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Spring 2023

Current role & organization: Grants Assistant, Project Coordinator, RFCUNY

LinkedIn Url: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emanuelmejia/

Undergraduate Degree and School: BA Psychology, CUNY Hunter College

Why are you a proud CUNY SPH alum? SPH opened the doors to many opportunities that I never dreamed of, I was able to do research abroad and be taught by passionate professors.

Favorite SPH course and why: It is hard to decide since I enjoyed several of my epi and bios classes but if I had to choose one, it would be EPID 621 and 622 with Dr. Teasdale because it gave me an in-depth understanding of epidemiological concepts and things to keep in mind with research.

Favorite public health-related book/movie/show: n/a

Personal fun fact: Some of my hobbies include dancing and learning hieroglyphs.

Dean Ricken

SPH alum stats: MS, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, Fall 2018

Current role & organization: Director, Business Development, Chubb Global Risk Advisors

LinkedIn Url: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dean-ricken-cih-csp-2457b767/

Undergraduate Degree and School: B.S. Environmental Health @ East Carolina University

Why are you a proud CUNY SPH alum? I am proud to be a piece of an extensive regional network of public health professionals

Favorite SPH course and why: Industrial Hygiene Instrumentation with Brian Pavolonis, Provided me with hands-on experience using important EHS instruments

Favorite public health-related book/movie/show: Erin Brockovich

Personal fun fact: I am very passionate about ice hockey and watch every New York Rangers game.