Kaela Edwards

1.       In one sentence, what is public health to you?

To me, public health is the art of preventing disease & promoting health through innovative, multifaceted approaches.

2.       What inspired you to study public health?

I was fortunate enough to study both biology and Spanish during my undergraduate career. The intersection of health and culture has always been of interest to me. Public health was the perfect field to study acculturation and all the other factors that influence health.

3.       What has been the single most rewarding experience of your career/studies so far?

Getting out into the community of Philadelphia has been incredibly rewarding for me. I have been (and will continue to be) working with underrepresented high school students who are interested in the health professions. I have had a wonderful time and it is amazing to watch them grow.

4.       What is the one piece of advice you wish someone had given you when you were starting out in public health?

Know that public health is an ever-changing field and you will never stop learning and growing. The work is never done but be open to that.

5.       What do you think is the biggest challenge that the public health field should be focusing on?

The biggest challenge public health should be focusing on is substance abuse.