Meet Our Student - Samantha Elliott (Dec '17)

Samantha Elliott (Dec '17)

My name is Samantha Elliott, but friends usually call me “Sam” (or really good friends somehow eventually fall into calling me “Sammy.”) It’s nice to finally be able to say that I will, Lord willing, graduate next year, December 2017.  Lest things change, I will graduate with a Community focused Master of Social Work, and a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Health Promotion and Behavior. I’m also currently seeking out the possibility of fitting a Global Health Certificate in there while I’m at it. What’s one more thing, right?

Even though originally from Wilmington, North Carolina, I enjoyed my time at the University of Georgia achieving an undergraduate degree in Spanish and minor in Public Health in 2013 so much that I couldn’t think to do my graduate studies anywhere else. While most of my time has been spent residing in the South, I’m privileged to have travelled more than usual in my studies and personal life. This influences my desire to work with a culturally diverse population one day, possibly through the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, or other government organizations. Another avenue of interest I am looking into is the healthcare setting. In the meantime, I am on staff at a local church here in the Classic City, Grace Athens. As Discipleship Director I mainly cluster groups of college students together to be mentored by an Athens adult in our family of believers. With all the extra time left after school and work I enjoy being active outdoors. Couple that with good company of friends or family and I couldn’t ask for much more.

I look forward to seeing how the benefits of the complementary MSW/MPH Dual Degree continue to unfold as I begin internships and come across future employment options. I believe the skill sets acquired from the different, yet similar programs will surely set me up for a wide variety of work and career settings.

Visit my LinkedIn profile.

Guest Post by Josalin Hunter-Jones, MSW, MPH, CHES

Josalin Hunter-Jones, MSW, MPH, CHES

During my undergraduate studies at Xavier University of Louisiana, I studied psychology and also worked as a research student worker at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. From that time on, after working on a genetic study exploring familial breast and prostate cancers among African-Americans, I found myself interested in the link between behavioral science and mental health and other health-related issues- particularly disparities among vulnerable and minority populations. I first learned of a dual MSW/MPH degree program offered at Tulane University where I was accepted and planned to attend. As a native New Orleanian, Hurricane Katrina derailed those plans, ravishing the city on the day of orientation. Still determined to obtain both degrees, I earned the Master of Social Work degree from University of Missouri-Saint Louis in 2007 and the Master of Public Health degree from Emory University in 2009

I have always been fortunate enough to integrate my interests and experiences in both social work and public health in my academic and professional work. I believe that the combination of these degrees has afforded me opportunities that I otherwise would not have had without them both.  Cumulatively, I have conducted public health-related research for almost 15 years now. I have also directed public health-related research projects involving populations living with or at risk for HIV for the past 10 years.  My involvement on research projects have additionally involved promoting and conducting HIV testing and counseling and/or the provision of health education interventions to improve patient physical and mental health well-being. Although most of my work has been primarily public health focused, my social work identity is always in the forefront. Aside from serving as a mental health clinician addressing urgent needs such as severe depression and suicidality, I am always vocal about ethical considerations, advocacy for patient needs, providing resources, and helping the larger team consider and implement plans to support and serve the vulnerable populations we strive to learn more about through research.

I am currently a 2^nd year PhD student at University of Georgia’s College of Public Health in the Department of Health Promotion and Behavior. My interests and the focus of my studies are HIV and mental health. I am most passionate about destigmatizing mental health needs and promoting mental wellness in the African-American community. My dissertation research will focus on adapting an evidence-based mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy intervention for African-American women newly diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. My long-term goals are to become an NIH-caliber researcher mentoring, teaching, and leading efforts towards improving the lives of HIV-seropositive populations and African-American women, both collectively and independently. My hope is that while doing so, more people will begin to see how glaringly true it is that mental health IS public health.

Josalin Hunter-Jones, MSW, MPH, CHES

Alumni Update - Ali Fitzsimmons, MSW, MPH (Dec '15)

Ali Fitzsimmons, MSW, MPH (Dec '15) has accepted a position as Oncology Social Worker at University Cancer and Blood Center in Athens, Georgia, in the radiation clinic.  Ms. Fitzsimmons provides case management and clinical intervention with patients who have cancer diagnoses.  She conducts biopsychosocial assessments, performs brief clinical interventions that address illness adjustment, and performs case management tasks.  Case management includes assisting patients with accessing financial assistance, transportation, nutritional assistance, and referrals to other cancer support programs, such as those offered through the Loran Smith Center (i.e. individual and family counseling, yoga for cancer survivors, guided relaxation classes, etc.).

Ali Fitzsimmons (Dec '15) presenting at MPH Poster Day, December 2015.

Ms. Fitzsimmons notes that her dual degree is helpful in this role because "it provides me with appropriate lenses to meet patients where they are to understand the importance of the whole person during illness adjustment- ie. cancer impacts more than simply the physical dimension of a person."  She also reports, "I am enjoying my experience here very much.  The richest part is meeting face-to-face with patients and listening to their concerns and validating their feelings."

Congratulations Ms. Fitzsimmons on this great accomplishment!