Student & Alumni Career Spotlights

Sakinah Holmes

MPH in Community Health, Class of 2024

What achievement(s) are you celebrating?

I am starting a new position as a Person-Centered Care Program Manager at NYC Health + Hospitals.

Current Role

As a Person-Centered Care Program Manager at NYC Health + Hospitals, I will lead the implementation of Planetree, a program designed to improve health outcomes by incorporating patients, staff, families, and the local community into the care process. A key focus of my role will be developing a Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) and an employee feedback and incentive program to better understand community needs and gather staff input on enhancing patient care.

Zyair Simpson

MPH in Community Health, Class of 2023

What achievement(s) are you celebrating?

I started a new position as a Program Manager at Jacobi Medical Center in September 2023.

Current Role

As a Program Manager at Jacobi Medical Center, I support the implementation and sustainability of programs that provide rapid linkage to HIV care and prevention services. I work closely with the Program Director and Assistant Program Director to connect patients in the Emergency Department and across New York City through the NYCHHC Virtual Express Care Telehealth platform. With a strong background in public health, community engagement, and direct patient support, I am committed to expanding access to care and addressing health disparities.

Taysha Frazer

MPH in Health Policy and Management Student

What achievement(s) are you celebrating?

I am starting a new position as an Intern with The Health Equity Consulting (HEC) Group.

Current Role

As an Intern with The Health Equity Consulting (HEC) Group, I will support initiatives that advance health equity through policy, advocacy, and community-driven strategies. With extensive experience in social services, case management, and public health advocacy, I bring a strong background in client advocacy, crisis management, and healthcare navigation. This role allows me to apply my skills to meaningful projects that address disparities and improve health outcomes for diverse communities.

Relevant Links

Jhanvi Solanki

MPH in Epidemiology and Biostatistics Student

What achievement(s) are you celebrating?

I am currently a Community Planning Fellow with the Fund for the City of New York.

Current Role

As a Community Planning Fellow with the Fund for the City of New York, I support initiatives that integrate public health principles into urban planning and community development. With a background in dentistry and a passion for health equity, I apply my skills in epidemiology and biostatistics to address social determinants of health and promote sustainable, inclusive urban spaces. This role allows me to contribute to data-driven solutions that improve population health and well-being across New York City.

Relevant Links

Eman Abdelfadeel

MPH in Community Health Student

What achievement(s) are you celebrating?

I am starting a new position as an Equity Planning Manager at the NYC Mayor’s Office of Equity and Racial Justice.

Current Role

As an Equity Planning Manager at the NYC Mayor’s Office of Equity and Racial Justice, I will work with city agencies to develop racial equity goals, as prescribed by the city charter. This role allows me to apply what I’ve learned at CUNY SPH to advance equity-driven initiatives that promote justice and inclusion across New York City.

Melissa Ditmore

MS in Population Health Informatics, Class of 2023

What achievement(s) are you celebrating?

I am the author of a new publication.

Publication Title

User-Centered Design for Designing and Evaluating a Prototype of a Data Collection Tool to Submit Information About Incidents of Violence Against Sex Workers: Multiple Methods Approach

Publication Link

JMIR Human Factors, September 2024

Project Summary

This study evaluates ReportVASW, a prototype tool designed to document violence against sex workers as an alternative to law enforcement reporting. Using human-centered design, researchers assessed usability through cognitive walkthroughs and heuristic evaluations. Findings showed strong user support and identified areas for improvement, highlighting the tool’s potential to enhance data collection and advocacy efforts.

Danya Birnbaum

MPH in Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Class of 2024

What achievement(s) are you celebrating?

I’m starting a new position as a Research Programmer at the RAND Corporation, where I’ll be contributing to quantitative health care research. I’m also presenting my master’s essay at the Epidemiology and Biostatistics Forum at CUNY SPH.

Current Role

As a Research Programmer at RAND in Santa Monica, CA, I will apply my skills in statistical programming, quantitative analytics, and data visualization to support health care research initiatives. This role aligns with my passion for social justice and health equity, allowing me to contribute to data-driven solutions that shape health policies and improve outcomes.

Emily Spokowski

MPH in Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, Class of 2017

What achievement(s) are you celebrating?

I am starting a new position as a Project Manager with the NYC Mayor’s Office of Environmental Coordination.

Current Role

As a Project Manager with the NYC Mayor’s Office of Environmental Coordination (MOEC), I will assist City agencies and private applicants in navigating the environmental review process while supporting the implementation of the City’s green building laws. This role allows me to contribute to MOEC’s mission of advancing sustainability, fostering environmental leadership, and ensuring state-of-the-art green building practices across New York City.

Brianna Dayer

MPH in Health Policy and Management, Class of 2021

What achievement(s) are you celebrating?

I recently received a promotion to Revenue Cycle Supervisor, Accounting Operations at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in the Physician Billing division.

Career Journey

At Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, I previously held roles as a Training and Development Lead and Senior Patient Access Coordinator. These positions allowed me to build expertise in patient services, team training, and operational efficiency, preparing me for this new leadership opportunity.

Current Role

As a Revenue Cycle Supervisor, I oversee accounting operations in the Physician Billing division. I’m passionate about ensuring efficiency, accuracy, and excellence in operations that support the critical work of patient care.

Allison Guarino

PhD in Epidemiology Student

What achievement(s) are you celebrating?

On December 5th, 2024, I presented at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) during CDC Translation Day.

Presentation Overview

I shared my work as a field employee with the Perinatal and Infant Health team, focusing on the role of perinatal quality collaboratives in improving health outcomes using the Knowledge 2 Action translation science framework. Our presentation, titled Perinatal Quality Collaboratives: Improving Maternal and Infant Outcomes Using Translation Science,” highlighted the application of implementation science frameworks to improve care and reduce maternal and infant mortality and morbidity.

Current Role

As a full-time SUD Health Scientist with the CDC Foundation, I am passionate about advancing public health initiatives that improve the health of mothers and infants during the perinatal period.

Alexander Ahn

MPH in Health Policy and Management, Class of 2022

What achievement(s) are you celebrating?

I am starting a new position as a Program Analyst with the HUD Office of Recapitalization.

Job Overview

As a Program Analyst, I will be supporting initiatives within the HUD Office of Recapitalization, including efforts to improve housing sustainability and resilience through innovative programs. This role allows me to contribute to housing improvements that enhance quality of life and promote equitable access to safe, energy-efficient housing.

Past Experience

Before this role, I served as an Information Management Analyst at the DHHS ASPR Center for Preparedness, where I focused on strengthening emergency preparedness and response capabilities.

Chelsea Rose

MPH in Community Health, Class of 2023

What achievement(s) are you celebrating?

I am an author of a new publication.

Publication Title

Vaccine Literacy in Handbook of Concepts in Health, Health Behavior and Environmental Health

Publication Link

Rose, C., Parker, R., Ratzan, S.C. (2025). Vaccine Literacy. In: Liamputtong, P. (eds) Handbook of Concepts in Health, Health Behavior and Environmental Health. Springer, Singapore.

Project Summary

The chapter focuses on challenges in vaccine communication, communication strategies that promote vaccine literacy, reasons to invest in vaccine literacy and effective vaccine communication. It also discusses creative recommendations to achieve improved vaccine literacy aside from effective communication strategies.

Stephanie Lemus

MPH in Health Policy and Management Student

What achievement(s) are you celebrating?

I am starting a new position as a John D. Solomon Fellow at NYC Emergency Management and the NYPD.

Fellowship Overview

The John D. Solomon Fellowship for Public Service is the first student fellowship in New York City devoted specifically to emergency management. Fellows work with city agencies to support and enhance emergency preparedness, response, and recovery.

Host Agencies

  • NYC Emergency Management: Supporting citywide preparedness and response initiatives.
  • New York City Police Department (NYPD): Assisting in public safety strategies to protect communities during emergencies.

Relevant Links

John Wetmore

MPH in Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Class of 2020

What achievement(s) are you celebrating?

I am entering my third year of the PhD program in Epidemiology at Columbia Mailman School of Public Health. I am also an author of a new publication.

Publication Title

Designing and Implementing the IDEAL Study: A Randomized Clinical Trial of APOE Genotype Disclosure for Late-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease in an Urban Latino Population

Publication Link

Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions (TRCI), December 2024

Project Summary

The IDEAL study examines the impact of APOE genotype disclosure on Alzheimer’s risk in urban Latino populations. Participants received risk estimates with or without genetic information, and their psychosocial, behavioral, and cognitive outcomes were tracked for 15 months. Findings aim to improve education and counseling in diverse communities.

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