Population Health

Student Newsletter

Welcome Population Health Students!

Hello and welcome to the Population Health Student Newsletter here at Utah Tech University. As we navigate through school and the always-changing industry of healthcare, this newsletter serves as your go-to source for updates, inspiring stories, and other valuable insights within our community. We are so excited to continue to update you all about the great changes and growth of our program.  We hope you read each edition of this newsletter to stay current. We want to celebrate you, the students, as we explore, innovate, and contribute to the world of healthcare. Let’s go through the journey together!

-Noah Rowley Senior

Population Health Newsletter

2nd Edition

Read the Newsletter Here

Faculty Overview

 

Robert Kagabo, Ph.D., MSW, MPH.

Email: robert.kagabo@utahtech.edu

Robert graduated with a Doctoral Degree (Ph.D.) in Public Health from the University of Utah. He then completed a 2-year Post-Doctoral training within the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine at the University of Utah School of Medicine. His post-doctoral training emphasis was in health disparities and specifically smoking cessation among vulnerable populations. His research interest and involvement is in health disparities and specifically smoking cessation among individuals with mental health problems and other substance use disorders. His interest in health disparities extends into Global Health practice and research. His current global health activities include working in the refugee camps of West Nile, Uganda in East Africa. He also takes student groups in the summer into these refugee camps where students participate in global humanitarian work, service learning, and other scholarly activities. His work in global health is guided by principles of community-based participatory research.

 

Jake Richins: Academic Advisor

Email: jake.richins@utahtech.edu

 

Introducing Our New Tailored Advising Process for Pre-Program Students

We recognize that the journey into specialized healthcare programs, such as pre-physical therapy, pre-nursing, and pre-dental hygiene, is competitive and often filled with uncertainty. To support you in this journey, Utah Tech University is excited to introduce a new, tailored advising process. This approach is designed to provide clarity and direction, not only for your primary program of interest but also for alternative pathways in the dynamic field of healthcare.

The Bigger Picture: Alternative Pathways in Healthcare

While you pursue your primary interest, it’s important to be aware of the broader spectrum of opportunities available in healthcare. To this end, we are highlighting three compelling programs within Population Health:

  1. Healthcare Administration: Focused on the business and management side of healthcare, preparing you for leadership roles in various healthcare settings.
  2. Public Health: Concentrates on community health, policy development, and disease prevention, offering a broader perspective on healthcare impacts.
  3. Long-Term Care Administration: Specializes in managing long-term care facilities, ensuring quality care for aging populations.

The Tailored Advising Approach

Our innovative advising process involves collaboration between your “home advisor” and the Population Health program. Here’s how it works:

  1. Meet Your Home Advisor: You will first meet with your home advisor (pre-physical therapy, pre-nursing, pre-dental hygiene, etc.) who understands the specific requirements and competitive nature of your chosen field.
  2. Discuss Alternative Paths: Your advisor will introduce the Population Health programs as alternatives, explaining how they align with your interests and career aspirations.
  3. Strategic Course Planning: Together, you’ll plan your coursework. This includes selecting general education courses, electives, and core courses that not only fulfill requirements for your primary program but also position you well for a smooth transition into Population Health programs if needed.

The Benefits

  • Streamlined Pathway: Reduces duplication of efforts and unnecessary courses.
  • Informed Decision-Making: Helps you understand all available options, encouraging a more informed choice about your academic and career journey.
  • Stress Reduction: Offers a clear path and backup options, reducing anxiety about the competitive nature of specialized programs.
  • Career Flexibility: Opens doors to diverse career opportunities in healthcare.

Our Goal

Our aim is to help you see the bigger picture of what’s available in the healthcare sector. We want to empower you with knowledge and choices, ensuring that your academic journey at Utah Tech University leads to both academic and professional satisfaction.

Remember, the field of healthcare is vast and varied. Whether your path leads to a specialized clinical role or to a broader role in healthcare administration, public health, or long-term care administration, Utah Tech University is committed to guiding you every step of the way.
Thank you and stay tuned for our next edition!