Corinne Lalama

What does public health mean to you?

To me, public health means meeting communities where they are and addressing the social factors that influence their health in order to create targeted interventions to address those factors and provide better health outcomes.

Why did you choose to study public health at WVU?

I chose to study public health at WVU because it combined my two passions of health and sociology. Studying public health covers such a broad range of topics that the opportunities in this field are endless.

Have any members of the faculty or staff influenced you in a unique way?

Danielle Davidov was one of my first professors when I switched my major to public health. I had her for PUBH 202: Social Determinants of Health. I knew that social factors influenced health, but taking her class really opened my eyes to just had impactful these factors are. That class truly solidified my passion for public health work, especially in rural areas that are at an economic and social disadvantage.

Tell us about your field placement experience or other hands-on experiences.

My field placement experience was with West Virginia Perinatal Partnership, a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to improving maternal and infant health outcomes. My main project with WVPP was surveying West Virginia prenatal providers on their screening practices for substance use disorder in pregnant patients, analyzing the data from the survey and making recommendations for how the screening process can be improved. This was an incredible experience that taught me so much about the state of maternal healthcare opportunities in West Virginia and also gave me the skills to analyze data, present to stakeholders and work efficiently in a team.

What would you tell prospective students about WVU and the School of Public Health?

I would prospective WVU School of Public Health students that public health is an amazing field to be involved in that gives you the opportunity to interact with your community and work to improve health outcomes. Additionally, a degree in public health opens you up to countless incredible opportunities that may not be available to you in other majors.

What advice would you give to your freshman self?

I started out as a biology major hoping to go to medical school; however, I realized it wasn’t something I felt passionate about. I would tell my freshman self that there is a major out there that perfectly aligns with your interests and passions. Finding something that you are passionate about is what is important.

How have your experiences in the School of Public Health helped prepare you for your future?

My experiences within the School of Public Health have helped prepare me for my future by teaching me about what influences the health of a population, how to dictate public health information to broad audiences, how to work effectively in teams and how public health projects are initiated, managed and completed. All of these skills are something I can use in my career.

What do you plan to do upon completion of your degree?

I plan to get my master's degree right here at WVU in public health with an emphasis on social and behavioral sciences. With this degree, I hope to work in nonprofits to provide better access to healthcare for women in rural areas of West Virginia.

Any additional involvement in activities or comments about the program?

My involvement with WVU Global Medical and Global Dental Brigades has greatly influenced my perception of rural medicine and deepened my passion for improving access to healthcare and overall health outcomes in rural communities.