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The Pivot: Meet the Gillings Community

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In this new series, we interview students, faculty members and alumni to find out how they came to public health — and how they’ve pivoted in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Tracking viruses. Building cleaner water systems. Advocating for quality care for every patient. Ensuring the safety of new medicines. All of this, and so much more, is part of public health. These are the people who make it happen.

Mya Roberson

talks epidemiology, health equity and life during a pandemic.
Mya Roberson speaks with The Pivot.

Morgan Cooper

helps older adults stay safe at home.
Morgan Cooper speaks with The Pivot.

Jeliyah Clark

strives to makes science accessible to new audiences.
Jeliyah Clark speaks with The Pivot.

Gary White

seeks to create water equity across the globe.
Gary White speaks with The Pivot.

Vanessa Rivero

is bringing women’s health back into maternal and child health.
Vanessa Rivero speaks with The Pivot.

Dr. Mercedes Carnethon

keeps people healthy with straightforward communication.
Dr. Mercedes Carnethon

Jenna McCready

is helping NYC families weather the pandemic.
Jenna McCready (in master's gown) smiles with her family after commencement.

Dr. Bonnie Shook-Sa

creates a more accurate picture of COVID-19's impact.
Dr. Bonnie Shook-Sa speaks with The Pivot.

Dr. Dana Rice

works to prevent the wounds of mass incarceration.
Dr. Dana Rice speaks with The Pivot.

Kevin Travia

connects communities with resources to improve health.
Kevin Travia

Dr. Mark Holmes

tailors public health solutions for rural communities.
Dr. Mark Holmes speaks with The Pivot.

Dana Davis

builds partnerships to address health inequities in the Carolinas.
Dana Davis talks with The Pivot.

Sarah Iracane

creates global networks so children can access health care.
Sarah Iracane speaks with The Pivot

Dr. Anna Austin

seeks strategies that support children, caregivers and families.
Dr. Anna Austin speaks with The Pivot.

Dr. Dorothy Cilenti

connects academics with practitioners for better public health.
Dr. Dorothy Cilenti talks with The Pivot.

Ivonne Headley

creates healthful feeding and nutrition strategies for Spanish-speaking communities.
Ivonne Headley speaks with The Pivot.

Rinko Kinoshita

keeps priorities in focus during the pandemic.
Rinko Kinoshita speaks with The Pivot.

Dr. Brenda Edwards

shares her expertise in how population-based data systems can improve our understanding of cancer.
Dr. Brenda Edwards speaks with The Pivot.

Toby Turla

connects UNC students to critical peer support in uncertain times.
Toby Turla speaks with The Pivot.

Ana Posas

aspires to create healthier communities in rural North Carolina.
Ana Posas speaks with The Pivot.

Dr. John Wiesman

oversaw the response to the first known COVID-19 case in the United States.
Dr. John Wiesman speaks with The Pivot.

Dr. Jan Lee Santos

is a lifetime learner who finds opportunity in crisis.
Dr. Jan Lee Santos speaks with The Pivot.

Dr. David Martinez

works behind the scenes — but his research affects millions.
Dr. David Martinez speaks with The Pivot.

April Dee Aviles

leads anti-racist efforts at one of the largest health departments in the United States.
April Dee Aviles speaks with The Pivot.

Dean Emerita Barbara K. Rimer

steers the No. 1 public school of public health into a dynamic future.
Dean Barbara K. Rimer speaks with The Pivot.

Jill Moore

analyzes North Carolina public health law to educate and advise local leaders.
Jill Moore speaks with The Pivot.

Dr. Justin Lessler

estimates how many people will get sick from a disease — and how public health measures can lower that number.
Dr. Justin Lessler strikes a pose with one of his kids.

Jennifer Mendel Sheldon

believes good communication is essential to public health.

Jessica Howard

strives to uplift women’s voices in pursuit of health equity and well-being.
Jessica Howard The Pivot

Dr. Sharrelle Barber

disrupts the status quo.
Dr. Sharrelle Barber speaks with The Pivot.

Dr. Juan Hincapie-Castillo

advocates for empathy and safety in pharmaceutical policies.
Dr. Juan Hincapie-Castillo talks with The Pivot.

Adrial Bryan

seeks to expand inclusive excellence efforts at the Gillings School.
The Pivot with Adrial Bryan

Ada Nwosu

creates international development strategies that promote global health.
Ada Nwosu speaks with The Pivot.

Dr. Tamarie Macon

believes 'public health' is another word for 'justice.'
Dr. Tamarie Macon speaks with The Pivot.

Brianna Dewitty

aspires to create equitable health care systems for BIPOC and LGBTQ groups.
The Pivot with Brianna Dewitty

Ceshae Harding

is providing comprehensive care to women of childbearing age.
Ceshae Harding speaks with The Pivot.

Dr. Martin Kohlmeier

see what molecules mean for whole people.
Dr. Martin Kohlmeier speaks with The Pivot.

Kartik Tyagi

believes focusing on what brings us together is key.
The Pivot with Kartik Tyagi

Dr. Bonzo Reddick

addresses the root causes of health issues.
Dr. Bonzo Reddick

Dr. Lindsey Haynes-Maslow

is a triple Gillings alum with a passion for election integrity.
Dr. Lindsey Haynes-Maslow

Callia Cox and Rhea Jayaswal

support systemic solutions to inequities — in part by co-chairing the 2023 Minority Health Conference.
Callia Cox (left) and Rhea Jayaswal