As Trinity Brigham completes her Master of Public Health in Epidemiology at UTMB's School of Public Health and Population Health (SPPH), she reflects on how this experience has transformed both her educational journey and future medical career.
When Trinity Brigham first arrived at UTMB's School of Public Health and Population Health, she had a general understanding of public health but couldn't fully articulate its depth. Two years later, as she graduates with her MPH in Epidemiology and prepares to begin medical school at the University of Colorado, Trinity leaves with comprehensive knowledge and a transformed perspective that will shape her future medical practice.
Redefining the Family Legacy
Coming from a family with medical connections—her mother is an internal medicine physician and her brother works in pharmaceuticals—Trinity initially hesitated to pursue medicine because of the demanding lifestyle she witnessed growing up. The long hours and on-call schedules her mother experienced as a hospitalist didn't initially appeal to her.
Over time, Trinity's perspective evolved as she recognized different possible paths within medicine that could align with her interests while maintaining better work-life balance. Before committing to medical school, she decided to pursue her MPH—a decision that would prove transformative.
“A Name, Not a Number”
Trinity's journey to SPPH began with a campus tour that immediately resonated with her. The warm welcome she received from Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Dr. John Prochaska, and staff members Christina and Amber left a lasting impression.
"You can tell when people really want you to be there. You can tell when it's going to be like a family environment," Trinity shares. "I just felt really welcomed."
This personal touch continued throughout her application process. When SPPH offered her a graduate assistantship position that fully covered her education, Trinity's decision was sealed, especially since no other programs had offered financial support.
Seeing Health in Context
Trinity credits her SPPH education with fundamentally changing how she views healthcare challenges.
"I couldn't imagine not getting my Master's in Public Health first," she reflects. "I think it's going to play an imperative role in how I handle medical school."
One of the most valuable insights from her public health education was understanding the social determinants of health—recognizing how housing circumstances, economic status, and food security directly impact health outcomes. This broader context will inform her approach as a physician.
Discovering Research Passions
At SPPH, Trinity engaged in diverse research experiences that expanded her interests. She worked on projects examining pain and neuropsychiatric symptoms in older adults, and collaborated on research exploring climate change impacts on elderly populations.
These opportunities broadened her perspective on potential research areas:
"Now I don't put myself in a box anymore. I'm just way more open-minded," Trinity says. "I definitely want to continue epidemiological research. I see myself working for an academic institution, doing a little bit of both worlds."
Cohorts Within Cohorts: The SPPH Mosaic
Trinity emphasizes how the diverse SPPH student body enriched her education. Her epidemiology cohort included medical students taking gap years, physicians in surgical residency pursuing MPH degrees, international students, and parents balancing family commitments.
"When you have class discussions, your different experiences make you view public health differently than someone else does," she explains. "That's something I really enjoyed about the students."
Faculty connections were equally meaningful, with Trinity developing strong mentoring relationships that deepened her love for epidemiology and public health practice.
Skills That Transcend Disciplines
As Trinity prepares to start at the University of Colorado School of Medicine—her mother's alma mater—she carries valuable skills from her MPH experience. The ability to critically analyze research stands out as particularly important.
"Being able to read research articles and understand which parts are important—that's something I'm going to take with me for life," she notes. "As someone who wants to go into academics when I become a doctor, I'm going to read thousands of research articles. Now I know what to look for, what's important, and what matters."
She also values the collaborative skills gained through group projects. Though initially resistant to the numerous team assignments, Trinity came to understand their purpose.
"Public health is a group project. You're working in groups all the time," she explains. This preparation proved immediately valuable during medical school interviews, where she could confidently discuss her teamwork experiences.
Beyond the Seawall: Embracing the Journey
For incoming SPPH students, Trinity recommends exploring Galveston beyond campus and engaging fully with both studies and community.
"Get out a little more and experience more things," she advises, suggesting students shouldn't limit themselves to their comfort zones.
As Trinity concludes this chapter of her education, she reflects on how SPPH has prepared her for the next phase of her journey by encouraging adaptability and openness to new possibilities—qualities that will serve her well throughout her medical career.
Trinity Brigham graduated with her MPH in Epidemiology from UTMB SPPH in May 2025. She will begin medical school at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in Fall 2025, where she plans to continue her research interests in epidemiology while pursuing her MD.