When Igor Vouffo graduated with his MPH from the University of Texas Medical Branch in May 2024, he carried with him lessons learned across three continents and a vision for transforming public health policy. His journey from chemistry student at Texas Southern University to Senior Health Planner at the Houston Health Department demonstrates how strategic career pivots and persistent networking can open unexpected doors.
Pre-Med Dreams Meet Public Health Reality
Igor’s path to public health began with a moment of honest self-assessment. As a pre-med chemistry student at Texas Southern University, he recognized his MCAT score wouldn't secure medical school admission. Rather than viewing this as failure, he explored alternatives that aligned with his healthcare interests.
His first exposure to population health came through a Maternal and Child Health fellowship with Baylor College of Medicine during the pandemic. The experience resulted in a peer-reviewed publication on maternal and child health surveillance systems and revealed a field where his analytical skills and community focus could thrive.
"I knew I was smart. I knew I was passionate about healthcare, and I knew I didn't want to stop going to school just yet," Igor recalls. That decision led him to epidemiology—a field he initially chose based on little more than its impressive-sounding name and connection to disease study.
First Cohort Shapes New School's Identity
Igor joined UTMB's School of Public and Population Health in August 2022 as part of its inaugural class after transitioning from department to school status. The first epidemiology cohort numbered just five students, each bringing international perspectives—from Cameroon, Kenya, Vietnam, Lebanon, and India.
This diversity enriched classroom discussions and shaped the school's emerging culture. Faculty members like Dr. Denny Fe Agana and Dr. Dana Wiltz-Beckham fostered an environment where students could explore their interests within public health's broad scope. Igor particularly valued Dr. Wiltz-Beckham's conversational teaching style, which drew on students' lived experiences alongside academic theory.
The small cohort size meant individualized attention. When Igor mentioned interest in clinical epidemiology during class, a professor called him to their office, handed him a specialized textbook, and asked for his thoughts after reading it. Such personalized mentorship helped students discover their niches within the vast public health landscape.
Washington Policy Work Reshapes Career Focus
A pivotal moment came during summer 2023 when Igor participated in the competitive Archer Fellowship in Washington, D.C. The program marked his shift from purely epidemiological work to policy development. He crafted a proposal for postpartum Medicaid expansion in Texas aimed at reducing maternal mortality—work he later adapted for his capstone project.
The experience taught him to translate data into actionable recommendations that could influence legislation and improve health outcomes.
The fellowship also expanded his professional network beyond Texas, connecting him with policy makers and advocates working on national health initiatives. These relationships would prove valuable during his subsequent job search.
Kenya Rotation Addresses Mental Health Gender Gap
Igor’s global health certificate culminated in a six-week rotation in Meru County, Kenya, with Sodzo International. Upon arriving, he discovered the organization had conducted hundreds of women's focus groups but none specifically for men. Recognizing this gap, he initiated focus groups addressing men's mental health, suicide prevention, and well-being.
"One participant remarked, 'Conversations like this, where men can gather and talk without the need for intoxication or avoiding family, can itself reduce suicidality,'" Igor shares. The program continued after his departure, demonstrating sustainable impact.
The Kenya experience reinforced his understanding that public health challenges transcend borders while requiring culturally specific solutions. Working with men recovering from substance use disorders through the Big Buddies Recovery Initiative showed him how psychosocial support could restore dignity and reduce community violence.
Six-Month Job Search Tests Resilience
Despite his credentials and experience, Igor faced six months of unemployment after graduation. He applied to positions in August 2024, interviewed in November, and started work in February 2025. During this period, he maintained connection to UTMB by completing his Global Health Certificate and networking with faculty about job market strategies.
"I applied to at least 50 positions. The silence was deafening," he admits. His faith and support system sustained him through the uncertainty. The experience now informs his eagerness to mentor current students navigating similar challenges.
Houston Health Department Role Demands Versatility
As Senior Health Planner, Igor works across emergency management, disease outbreak response, and program development. When measles cases emerge, his team plans containment strategies. When hurricane season approaches, they prepare response protocols. His position in the Office of Service Integration, Program Quality and Effectiveness ensures smooth coordination between the department's various divisions.
"Public health jobs are vast, broad, and wide. You can't say I learned this skill in school and this is exactly what I'm using on the job.' You learn a way of thinking and use that to solve problems you never even thought of," Igor explains.
His role requires translating complex data for diverse stakeholders—from presenting to community groups about air quality to briefing city officials on disease surveillance findings. The communication skills he honed through years of asking questions and building relationships prove essential daily.
PhD Plans Target Health Law Without Law School
This August, Igor begins doctoral studies in Health Law, Policy, and Management at Meharry Medical College's School of Global Health. The program uniquely combines legal frameworks with policy analysis and management principles.
"Most DrPH programs offer policy and management concentrations, but for health law, you typically need law school. I don't want to go to law school," Igor states. The program aligns with his systematic career plan: master city-level health systems, then state, federal, and eventually international frameworks.
His ultimate goal remains clear: become a global health consultant who understands how health systems operate across all governmental levels. The PhD will provide theoretical grounding for the practical experience he's accumulating.
Essential Advice for Public Health Students
Igor distills his guidance into three words: "You have to talk." He emphasizes that public health success requires communication skills beyond academic achievement. Students must ask questions, build networks, and remain curious about areas outside their immediate interests.
He advocates leveraging LinkedIn strategically, researching people before meetings, and learning from others' professional journeys. "Informal learning through conversations and observations often teaches more than textbooks," he notes.
For introverted students concerned about networking demands, Igor offers reassurance: "Start with two questions per week. You don't need to become extremely extroverted—just willing to communicate. Sometimes the most interesting person is the quiet one with the nice tie or socks who catches your attention."
Life Extends Beyond Professional Achievements
Despite his academic and professional focus, Igor maintains perspective on life's broader dimensions. An enthusiastic traveler who scheduled cruises during orientation week and flew to conferences across the country, he embodies work-life integration rather than balance.
"Life doesn't stop while you're in school or building your career. You get one life. Make it count," he advises. This philosophy informed his approach to graduate school—maximizing opportunities while maintaining personal interests and relationships.
Looking ahead, Igor sees each career stage as building toward his global health consulting vision. His systematic approach—understanding health systems from local to international levels—reflects the same methodical thinking that transformed a pre-med student's pivot into a purposeful public health journey.
For current students questioning their own paths, Igor's story offers hope grounded in action. Success demands curiosity, communication, and willingness to explore unexpected opportunities. Most importantly, it requires starting conversations that lead to connections, which ultimately open doors.
Igor Vouffo serves as Senior Health Planner at the Houston Health Department and will begin doctoral studies at Meharry Medical College's School of Global Health in August 2025. He represents UTMB SPPH's first epidemiology cohort after the program achieved school status.