Rutgers School of Public Health

04/30/2026

When online classmates meet IRL 💻✈️🌍

What began as taking the same Zoom courses grew into a friendship for MPH students Brianna Vo and Luis Cordero. Through the global course, “Public Health Aspects of HIV Prevention and Care,” their online connection turned into a meaningful bond rooted in community, shared learning, and a commitment to improving the health of all people.

Across programs, learning modalities, and borders, Brianna and Luis show what it means to humanize public health: leading with compassion, stepping outside of your comfort zone, and building connections wherever the work takes you.

🔗 Learn more about their story: https://sph.rutgers.edu/news/zoom-london-chicago-when-online-classmates-meet-real-life

Rutgers Health | Rutgers University | Rutgers Global

Brianna Vo and Luis Cordero, both graduate students and Wellness PHirst Ambassadors at the Rutgers School of Public Health, were online classmates before they ever met in person, interacting through virtual courses while living in different states. 

04/28/2026

Closing out Alumni April with the person who started it all, meet Claire Brown, MPH ’19! 🎓

Claire earned her MPH in Social and Behavioral Health Sciences from and now serves as the school’s Director for Student Experiences, Public Health Practice, & Alumni Affairs. With over a decade of experience in student affairs and college health promotion, her professional mission is to learn and implement best practices for training healthy, happy, and highly effective student communities.

As founder of the school’s Office of Career Services, Claire develops career-advising, exploration, and training programs tailored to the diverse pathways of public health students and alumni, with Alumni April among her impactful initiatives. This year’s theme, “Humans of Rutgers School of Public Health,” centers the human stories behind public health – highlighting non-traditional journeys, interdisciplinary careers, and the people-first values that shape the profession.

💭 “... I started Alumni April in 2021 when public health students needed a healthy dose of hope," Claire said. "That need is even stronger now. This year’s theme and expanded scope were an opportunity to tap into what has always been the most meaningful part of Alumni April - getting to hear very real, human stories about the myriad of personal and professional experiences our School of Public Health community has.”

🔗 Learn more about Claire’s public health journey: https://sph.rutgers.edu/news/alumni-april-2026-claire-brown-mph

Rutgers University | Rutgers Health | Rutgers University Alumni Association

Rutgers School of Public Health alumna Claire Brown, MPH, leads student experiences, career services and alumni engagement – building a culture of wellness and purpose across the school community

04/23/2026

🎓 Meet Denise Anderson, PhD, MPH ‘07!

Denise earned her MPH degree in Urban Health Administration from and currently serves as the Executive Director of The Center for Health Equity and Wellbeing, New Jersey’s Public Health Institute. In this role, she leads statewide efforts to advance health equity, strengthen public health–health care partnerships, and build community-driven solutions to complex health challenges.

Alumni April is an annual Office of Career Services initiative designed to showcase the exciting, impactful public health work being done by the school’s alumni. This year’s theme, "Humans of Rutgers School of Public Health," centers the human stories behind public health – highlighting non-traditional journeys, interdisciplinary careers, and the people-first values that shape the profession.

Denise shared what humanizing public health means to her:

💭 “To me, humanizing public health means lifting it from an ‘invisible shield’ to something people can see, understand, and recognize in their everyday lives—how it protects them from routine risks and hazards.”

🔗 Learn more about Denise’s public health journey: https://sph.rutgers.edu/news/alumni-april-2026-denise-anderson-phd-mph

Rutgers Health | Rutgers University | Rutgers University Alumni Association

Rutgers School of Public Health alumna Denise Anderson, PhD, MPH, leads health equity initiatives at New Jersey's Public Health Institute, where she advances human-centered systems change for communities

04/23/2026

Dean Perry N. Halkitis emphasizes that public health must be grounded in empathy, cultural competence, psychological insight, and political awareness in a new piece published by The American Journal of Managed Care.

💭 "Public health is not only about preventing disease. It is about affirming our humanity and our responsibility to one another."

🔗 Access the article: https://www.ajmc.com/view/contributor-public-health-has-forgotten-the-public

Rutgers Health | Rutgers University

Public health must be grounded in empathy, cultural competence, psychological insight, and political awareness, emphasizes Perry N. Halkitis, PhD, MD, MPH.

04/22/2026

🌎 This , Wendy Purcell, professor and vice chair of ’s Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Justice, explores how energy choices shape both environmental outcomes and public health.

Aligned with EarthDay.org’s 2026 theme, “Our Power, Our Planet,” Purcell calls on higher education to lead a just and sustainable transition — with research, workforce development, and programs such as the school’s new Master of Science (MS) in Sustainability & Health degree as part of that change.

💭 “Energy choices matter to our planet and to public health… We need to harness the power of higher education and its core activities of education, research, community engagement, and civic leadership, to make wide-ranging and transformative change.”

🔗 Learn more: https://sph.rutgers.edu/news/2026-earth-day-our-power-our-planet

Rutgers Health | Rutgers University

April 22, 2026, marks Earth Day, with this year’s theme, “Our Power, Our Planet.” Centered on renewable energy and collective action, it serves as a timely call to engage. 

04/21/2026

What happens when postpartum Medicaid coverage doesn’t end after 60 days? Coverage improves—and more people stay insured when they need it most.

A new Rutgers Health study found that extended postpartum Medicaid coverage during the COVID‑19 pandemic dramatically increased enrollment through the first year after childbirth, helping reduce gaps in care during a critical period for parents and babies.

“I would advise policymakers that continuous postpartum coverage is an important tool for states to monitor and improve health outcomes for postpartum people and their babies,” says Erica Eliason, lead author of the study and an assistant professor at Rutgers Center for State Health Policy and the Rutgers School of Public Health.

“But without strong communication and support, expanded eligibility may not fully translate into improved access or outcomes.”

Read more about the findings and what they mean for the future of maternal health care: go.rutgers.edu/mfb8c0mn

04/20/2026

Leslie Kantor, chair of 's Department of Urban-Global Public Health, spoke with On New Jersey about the state's progress in improving maternal and infant health, including more than 70 policies and programs to expand care and address disparities.

🔗 Access the full segment: https://www.onnj.com/videos/maternal-health/

Rutgers Health | Rutgers University | Rutgers Research

New Jersey has made major strides in improving maternal and infant health, with more than 70 policies and programs aimed at addressing disparities and

04/16/2026

🎓 Meet Nandini Selvam, PhD ‘06, MPH ‘01!

Nandini earned her MPH and PhD in Public Health from . As President of Government Solutions at IQVIA Inc., a Fortune 300 multinational health services company, she oversees business and scientific strategy.

Alumni April is an annual Office of Career Services initiative designed to showcase the exciting, impactful public health work being done by the school’s alumni. This year’s theme, “Humans of Rutgers School of Public Health,” centers the human stories behind public health – highlighting non-traditional journeys, interdisciplinary careers, and the people-first values that shape the profession.

Nandini shared what humanizing public health means to her:

💭 “For me, humanizing public health is closing that distance: asking what is missing from the data, what the numbers can’t capture about lived experience, and whether the solutions we design will actually work in real life.”

🔗 Learn more about Nandini’s public health journey: https://sph.rutgers.edu/news/alumni-april-2026-nandini-selvam-phd-mph

Rutgers Health | Rutgers University | Rutgers University Alumni Association

Rutgers School of Public Health alumna Nandini Selvam, PhD, MPH, leads the US Federal portfolio for IQVIA Inc., a Fortune 300 multinational health services company

04/15/2026

👋 Meet Aditi, an MS in Epidemiology student concentrating in Pharmacoepidemiology at and a Wellness PHirst Ambassador with the school’s Office of Student Experiences, Public Health Practice, and Alumni Affairs (SEAA).

Through SEAA’s Wellness PHirst program, Wellness PHirst Ambassadors serve as student leaders who mentor their peers, promote wellness resources, and co-facilitate programs and initiatives that strengthen engagement, connection, and belonging across the Rutgers School of Public Health community.

Aditi shares how her work in pharmacoepidemiology and her commitment to translating evidence into real-world care shape her path in public health.

💭 “I believe public health and evidence-based medicine must work together to reduce chronic disease and improve equitable access to healthcare, ensuring that scientifically proven treatments not only work but also reach the populations who need them most.”

🔗 Learn more about Aditi’s public health journey: https://sph.rutgers.edu/news/putting-wellness-phirst-aditi-sharada-pharmacoepidemiology-and-evidence-based-care

Rutgers Health | Rutgers University

Rutgers School of Public Health Wellness PHirst Ambassador Aditi Sharada shares how her work in pharmacoepidemiology and her commitment to translating evidence into real-world care shape her journey in public health

04/14/2026

Congratulations to Dean Perry N. Halkitis and Vice Dean Deanna Kerrigan on being recognized by NJBIZ as the most influential health leaders in New Jersey.

🔗 Learn more about their impact: https://sph.rutgers.edu/news/rutgers-leaders-are-recognized-most-influential-health-care-leaders-new-jersey

Rutgers Health | Rutgers University

Vicente Gracias, senior vice chancellor for clinical affairs and vice president for health affairs, Rutgers University and Chief Academic Officer, RWJBarnabas Health; Diane Calello, executive and medical director of the New Jersey Poison Control Center based at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School; Ste...

04/14/2026

🎓 Meet Rich Hubner, MPH ‘95!

Rich earned his MPH degree in Environmental and Occupational Health from and currently serves as the Northeast Regional Director at BSI Consulting. In this role, he advances environmental health strategies and human-centered approaches across industries.

Alumni April is an annual Office of Career Services initiative designed to showcase the exciting, impactful public health work being done by the school’s alumni. This year’s theme, “Humans of Rutgers School of Public Health,” centers the human stories behind public health – highlighting non-traditional journeys, interdisciplinary careers, and the people-first values that shape the profession.

Rich shared what humanizing public health means to him:

💭 “Humanizing the field helps ensure [decisions] are made transparently and with respect for those most affected. The strongest public health systems do both well—using data to see clearly and empathy to act wisely.”

🔗 Learn more about Rich’s public health journey: https://sph.rutgers.edu/news/alumni-april-2026-rich-hubner-mph

Rutgers Health | Rutgers University | Rutgers University Alumni Association

Rutgers School of Public Health alumnus Rich Hubner, MPH, leads consulting solutions at BSI, where he advances environmental health strategies and human-centered approaches across industries