Congratulations, graduates!

The Center for Health Equity Research and the Southwest Health Equity Research Collaborative congratulate our spring 2021 graduates.

Omar Gomez, who will earn a Master of Public Health, Indigenous Health Track, was a graduate assistant with CHERC. Julianne Brauner, Gabrielle Delio, Hannah Elzer, Hosava Kretzmann, Bonnie Kuss, Leticia Lelli, Rachelle Phillips, Samantha Sasse and Ary Spilkin all assisted on a variety of CHER and SHERC projects.

We are proud of all of their hard work and wish them all the best in their futures.

Omar Gomez

Hello, my name is Omar Gomez, and I am originally from Oaxaca, Mexico. Flagstaff has been my home since elementary school, and I feel proud to be graduating with my master’s degree from NAU at the end of April 2021. I will use my Master of Public Health to continue work on improving immigrant and indigenous health after graduation. I plan on applying to medical school for the next application cycle and use all of the MPH skills to advocate for health equity and healthcare reform for underserved communities.

Lastly, I want to acknowledge and thank all of the people who made this possible. Primero quiero reconocer a mi familia, sin ustedes nada de esto sería posible porque me dieron la fuerza y el apoyo que necesite para lograr mi éxito, nunca podre agradecerles lo suficientes. [First, I wanted to recognize my family, without them none of this would be possible because they gave me the strength and support to accomplish all of this. I could never thank them enough.]

I want to thank everyone at CHER, like Dr. Baldwin, Marcelle Coder, Dr. Camplain, and everyone else that supported me. A special thanks to Dr. Samantha Sabo for all her guidance and the opportunity to be a part of amazing work and fostering my skill sets.

Julianne Brauner

Hi, my name is Julianne Brauer and I’m from San Jose, California. I will graduate from NAU this summer with an Master of Public Health in nutrition. This fall, I plan to obtain licensure to become a registered dietitian in California. I’m excited to finally utilize all the skills I’ve learned over the past 2 years to serve my community!
It has been such a pleasure to be apart of CHER and I am so grateful to all the individuals here that have been a part of my accomplishments as a graduate student!

Gabrielle Delio

Hello! My name is Gabrielle Delio. I graduated from Northern Arizona University in May of 2017 with my Bachelor of Science in Public Health. I later became involved in an observational research study with an Arizona county jail and took on the role of assessing the fat-soluble vitamin intake adequacy of a seven-day cycle menu. My research contributes to the ever-growing literature on the relevance of quality nutrition and its critical function in mitigating chronic health problems. I am currently completing my dietetic internship and will graduate with my Master of Public Health (MPH) in Nutrition in August 2021.

I would like to take a moment to say thank you to the CHER team for their collaborative efforts to improve health and well-being for all.

Hannah Elzer

My name is Hannah Elzer, and I am from Gilbert, Arizona. I am graduating from NAU with my Master of Public Health degree in spring 2021. I am grateful for the time I have spent at NAU and the amazing teachers, students, and friends I have made.

I am thankful for the wonderful people at the CHER office who have supported me through this journey, and I cannot wait for the future!

Hosava Kretzmann

Hosava Kretzmann is an enrolled tribal member of the Navajo Nation. However, his family roots extend to a small village on the Hopi Reservation called Hotevilla. He earned a bachelor’s degree in public health with a minor in molecular biology from Fort Lewis College. At Fort Lewis he competed for the Men’s Cross Country Team and continues to compete at the elite level. Outside of running and school, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends.

After graduation, Hosava hopes to work for the Tribal Epidemiology Center or the United States Department of Veterans Affairs serving Indigenous communities. He is concluding his work on a graduate project that applies a mixed method approach to evaluate a student development program known as ISEP. He is thankful for his time at NAU and looks toward supporting upcoming students in the program.

Bonnie Kuss

I came to NAU by way of California to pursue my MPH as a second career path because I am passionate about health and improving the health of others. I will be graduating in August of 2021. Immediately following graduation, I plan to take the Commission on Dietetic Registration Exam to become a credentialed registered dietitian. I plan to pursue a career path that focuses on cardiac and diabetic nutrition therapy within the healthcare system with a hope to lessen chronic disease burden. My long term goal is to work within an interdisciplinary healthcare setting or have my own nutrition practice.

Studying Public Health during my time at NAU has been inspiring and insightful. I hope to continue to participate in nutrition research in the years to come.

Leticia Lelli

Hello, my name is Leticia Lelli and I am originally from Phoenix. I will graduate with my Doctor of Occupational Therapy in 2021 from NAU. After graduation, I plan to begin my career working with adults with physical and cognitive disabilities. I look forward to serving my community and continuing to impact patients’ lives in positive and meaningful manner.

Rachelle Phillips

Hello, my name is Rachelle Phillips, and during my two years in Flagstaff,  I have thoroughly enjoyed escaping the Phoenix heat and studying in this beautiful Northern Arizona environment. In August 2021, I will be graduating with a Master of Public Health and Nutrition degree, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to join the professional world of public health! After graduation, I will be eligible to take the Registered Dietitian examination, and soon after, I will work in community nutrition focusing on food insecurity, food system sustainability, and public policy.

I am so very thankful for all of the wonderful and positive support that I received from Dr. Ricky L. Camplain and Dr. Nanette “Gigi” V. Lopez during this fantastic MPH Nutrition program, both as professors and research mentors. I could not have asked for better mentors while part of the Nutrition in Jails research study. This program has continued to molded me into a public health professional that is mindful of the many intermingling factors that make up health, and for that, I am so very grateful.

Samantha Sasse

Hello, my name is Samantha Sasse and I am originally from Tucson. I will graduate with my Doctorate of Occupational Therapy in 2021 from NAU.

After graduation, I plan to study for my licensure exam and then work at an outpatient pediatric clinic in the Phoenix area.

 

Ary Spilkin

Hello, my name is Ary Spilkin. I am originally from Northern California and graduated from California State University Chico in May of 2018 with my B.S. in Nutrition and Food Science. During my undergraduate degree, I was an intern and student staff for 1 ½ years at the Center for Healthy Communities. I took part in the CalFresh Outreach team where I first gained experience working for a nonprofit public health program. I worked with food insecure populations, older adults, and homeless individuals on campus and in the community of Chico. This is where I first became passionate about providing nutrition resources and education to vulnerable and underrepresented populations.

In the Fall of 2019, I began my Master’s of Public Health Nutrition degree at Northern Arizona University. I spent both years working as a teaching assistant in the department. For extracurricular experience, I volunteered as a health coach for the University Coaching for Activity and Nutrition (UCAN) program where I used my motivational interviewing skills to coach students and faculty members on various health behavior topics. After graduation, I plan to work as a culturally competent registered dietitian to apply my knowledge in areas such as nutrition counseling, food product development, and women’s health.

I would like to thank the faculty members in the department of health sciences who have supported me during my Master’s degree at NAU. I would like to particularly thank Dr. Camplain and Dr. Lopez who have been wonderful mentors, professors, and support systems throughout my graduate studies and research project.