THE PLACES YOU CAN GO WITH AN ONLINE MASTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH

Leah Maschino is strengthening Flint families and helping prevent substance use disorders.

From Charleston, South Carolina, to Davison, Michigan, Leah Maschino, Spartan in public health ’17, has always been interested in helping people. She works for the MSU College of Human Medicine Flint campus in the Division of Public Health.

Maschino is the project administrator for the nationally funded Flint Center for Health

Equity Solutions (FCHES), Strengthening Flint Families intervention designed to reduce behavioral health disparities and improve family resilience in the Flint community.

“I have always been interested in helping people. I found the concept of public health — achieving optimal health and wellness for all populations — to be fascinating and I knew I wanted to be a part of this work in some way. I am also interested in health promotion, nutrition, maternal and child health, mental and physical health, and substance misuse prevention — all of which are related to public health. I love that public health is so inclusive of many topics yet all working toward similar goals.

“I started the MSU Master of Public Health program when I was living in Charleston, South Carolina, so I liked that the program was 100% online. I knew I would be moving back home to Michigan at some point during my time in the program, so the fact that it was solely online helped guide my decision to go through MSU. I am also a fan of the Michigan State Spartans and think MSU is a wonderful institution. I’m proud to be a Spartan alumna, Go Green!

“I have the opportunity to apply what I’ve learned into real-world settings in need of positive change. The Flint Center for Health Equity Solutions is embedded in the Flint community and is working to make a difference in Flint. I am proud to be a part of this work and be able to use the skills and knowledge I learned in the MPH program to make a difference in people’s lives.”