Sandra Kum's journey through public health began with a butterfly effect moment during her sophomore year at the University of Maryland. After attending a career counseling session about the interdisciplinary nature of public health, she immediately declared her major. That single decision would eventually lead her from Maryland to Texas, through a pandemic-era MPH program, and into the complex world of health equity research and practice.
A Virtual Education During Real-World Crisis
When Sandra enrolled at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in August 2020, she found herself part of what her cohort called "Zoom University." The pandemic had transformed education overnight, and for Sandra, who remained in Maryland throughout her MPH program, this meant navigating graduate school entirely through screens.
"We didn't have any interaction in person until the very end, which was graduation," Sandra recalls. Despite moving to Galveston for three months early in the program, the isolation of remote learning prompted her return home.
Yet this virtual experience became a testament to public health's adaptability. Working closely with her thesis mentor, Dr. Neil Mehta, Sandra discovered how meaningful research could emerge even during unprecedented times. "Working with Dr. Mehta during a virtual experience allowed me to understand the resiliency of public health and how in the midst of a pandemic so much could be achieved," she reflects.
Uncovering Health Disparities Through Data
Sandra’s thesis tackled a critical public health issue: maternal mortality rates among African American women in Texas. Her cross-sectional study examined the relationship between educational levels and maternal mortality across racial groups, revealing a troubling pattern. Even with higher education levels—typically associated with better health outcomes—Black women still experienced significantly higher maternal mortality rates than their white and Hispanic counterparts.
"We know that usually the higher a woman's educational level is, she's more likely to understand the importance of getting prenatal care," Sandra explains. "But we were seeing that maternal mortality rates were still significantly higher in Black women than in white and Hispanic women, regardless of their educational levels."
Using the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey data, Sandra analyzed variables including healthcare access, doctor visits, substance use, and comorbidities. Her findings led to concrete recommendations for specialized training for healthcare providers working with African American women, expanded access to the Affordable Care Act, representation and diversity in healthcare, and home visits for high-risk patients.
Navigating Clinical and Governmental Public Health
After graduating summa cum laude in 2022, Sandra gained experience across multiple sectors of public health. Her journey took her from the CDC to the DC Department of Health, then to the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH), before her current role at Aglow Recovery, a mental health startup in Washington, DC.
This diverse experience has given her unique insights into the different rhythms of public health work. "In the clinical space, my work has been focused on patient care, policy adherence, and HIPAA compliance. The environment moves quickly due to the urgency of medical needs," she notes. In contrast, governmental public health "centers around grants, research, data, and stakeholder collaboration. The pace fluctuates with fiscal year demands and funding cycles."
While clinical settings offer immediate, tangible results through patient interactions, governmental work provides far-reaching impact through systems-level change. Both experiences have shaped Sandra's understanding that public health requires both hands-on care and policy-driven transformation.
Building Bridges from Maryland to Cameroon
Working at Aglow Recovery, a startup led by West African women with DNP credentials, has special meaning for Sandra. "It helps to be in a place where it's led by women. Representation is everything," she says. Born and raised in Cameroon, Sandra sees her current experiences as preparation for future work in her home country.
Her vision for public health in Cameroon starts with addressing mental health stigma. "I think my first project would be to tackle the mental health stigma that is so prevalent and embedded in the culture," she explains. Her approach would include awareness campaigns and integrating mental health education into school curricula, introducing public health concepts to younger generations.
The Alumni Inductee Returns
Sandra's recent return to UTMB as the Delta Omega Honorary Society alumni inductee marked her first visit to Texas since graduation. Meeting professors in person for the first time and reconnecting with the institution that shaped her career highlighted how far she'd come since her "Zoom University" days.
Now applying to DrPH programs at Johns Hopkins, Boston University, Emory, Tulane, and UTHealth, Sandra approaches this next phase with characteristic determination. Despite previous rejections from highly competitive programs, she maintains perspective. "Rejection is always redirection into something greater that you can't even really see."
Lessons for Future Public Health Leaders
For current students wondering about life after graduation, Sandra offers hard-won wisdom. "It requires a lot of grit," she acknowledges, especially in today's challenging environment for public health professionals. Yet she emphasizes patience and persistence. "We have been here before in times where there's a lot of uncertainty and a lot of unknowns of where I’ll go next."
Her advice extends beyond career planning. "You deserve to be on a vacation. And the rest will fall into place eventually," she tells recent graduates. This balance of determination and self-care reflects the multidisciplinary understanding she credits as the most valuable lesson from her MPH program. She emphasizes to recent graduates that you cannot pour from an empty cup. Burnout is inevitable, but it is vital to take a step back, realize how far you’ve come, and give yourself grace.
As Sandra continues building her career while maintaining her vision of improving public health infrastructure in Cameroon, she embodies the principle that guides her work: "We're only as strong as our weakest link." Through research, practice, and advocacy, she works to strengthen those links, one community at a time.