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Destiney Kirby, a student in the CUNY SPH MD-MPH Collaborative Degree Program with Albert Einstein College of Medicine, has received the U.S. Public Health Service Physicians Professional Advisory Committee Excellence in Public Health Award. Kirby was chosen for the award based on her dedication to improving the health and well-being of communities across the Bronx and beyond. As the first person in her family to attend college, Kirby navigated financial obstacles, racism, and a lack of mentorship, emerging as a beacon of inspiration for others facing similar challenges.
Throughout her academic pursuits, Destiney consistently demonstrated academic excellence, graduating Summa Cum Laude from Arizona State University with a degree in Biological Sciences and a minor in Statistics. Her honors, awards, and achievements, including being a Gold Humanism Society member and a Samuel Steinman Scholar, underscore her commitment to excellence in both her academic and extracurricular endeavors.
Her dedication extended beyond the classroom, with active participation in research programs, such as the RHEDI Resident Scholar Program for Workforce Diversity, where she contributed significantly to the improvement of the program through qualitative research and analysis.
In addition to her academic accomplishments, Kirby demonstrated a profound commitment to community service and advocacy. From serving as a Lead Escort for the Bronx Abortion Clinic to co-leading the Einstein Senior Leaders in Advocacy and Community Service, Destiney has been a driving force in addressing issues related to racial and social justice, reproductive rights, and healthcare access.
Kirby’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is further evidenced by her involvement in student organizations such as the Student Collective for Action on Diversity, where she actively engages with the administration to promote racial and social justice within the medical school community.
Her tireless dedication to improving the health and well-being of marginalized communities, coupled with her outstanding academic achievements, have made her an exemplary candidate for this recognition.
“The MD-MPH collaborative program allowed me to truly explore the depth and breadth of what “health” is,” says Kirby. “In medical school, I felt like I was never able to act “upstream enough” for my patients and in public health school, I didn’t have the gratification of one-on-one patient encounters. Having this experience has given me the opportunity to serve my community in such a unique way.”
