Meet the 2023-24 This Is Public Health Ambassador from LSUS

The Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) is the collective voice of accredited academic institutions in the realm of public health. In line with their mission to drive excellence and innovation in education, research, and practice, ASPPH introduced the This Is Public Health (TIPH) Ambassador program in 2017. This initiative empowers nominated students to become ambassadors who champion public health education and careers. 
 
The 2023-2024 TIPH Ambassador Cohort includes Jason Hoosier, who is earning his online Master of Public Health from LSU Shreveport and LSU Health Shreveport. Through his work, Jason exemplifies ASPPH's commitment to fostering awareness of the importance of public health. 
 
In honor of his accomplishment, we interviewed Jason about his experiences. His interview highlights why he chose LSUS and how he plans to make an impact in the field. 
 
Can you share a bit about your background and what motivated you to pursue a Master of Public Health program through LSU Online? 
 
I was not interested in pursuing a health-related degree when I started college. Before my first semester, however, I began working as a firefighter/EMT and quickly discovered my passion and love for helping people through medicine. This led me to switch my major to start the journey toward becoming a physician. Working full-time as a firefighter/EMT throughout my academic career gifted me with a unique perspective on the salient issues relating to healthcare in underserved communities. I decided to pursue an online MPH because it became clear that if I wanted to have a more significant impact, it was necessary to shift from advocating for individual patients to advocating for the whole community. An online Master of Public Health equipped me with the tools and knowledge to address systemic issues that have laid the foundation for many problems experienced at the individual and community levels. Additionally, having a better understanding of the contexts surrounding my patients allows me to be a better healthcare provider. 
 
What specific area of public health are you passionate about, and how do you hope to make a positive impact through your role as a TIPH Ambassador? 
 
Community and Behavioral Health are the broad areas of public health I am most passionate about. Specifically, I’m interested in informing, educating, and empowering people about health issues and mobilizing community partnerships to identify and solve health problems. Through my role as a TIPH ambassador, I aim to engage and educate prospective students about the field of public health and the many opportunities it can offer them to pursue their passions! 
 
The TIPH Ambassador Program aims to foster interest in public health education and career opportunities. How do you plan to inspire others to consider a career in public health? 
 
I plan to inspire others by advocating for the field of public health and sharing my personal experiences through virtual events, social media, and other ASPPH platforms. I aim to increase awareness about the many facets of public health and assist other like-minded people in discovering how a career in public health could allow them to pursue what they are passionate about! 
 
Being part of an international cohort with students from different ASPPH member schools seems like an enriching experience. How do you see this global perspective enhancing your understanding of public health challenges and solutions? 
 
The most valuable part of being a member of this cohort is that it exposes you to many different and complicated public health challenges others face across different contexts. Exposure to new challenges and collaborating with other members from different backgrounds to find unlikely solutions enhances your capabilities as a public health professional. These experiences and new perspectives allow you to develop a toolkit that can be utilized to address unique challenges you may face throughout your career. 
 
For those interested in pursuing a Master of Public Health, could you briefly describe what the program entails and how it prepares students for impactful careers in public health?  
 
The MPH Program is a joint degree program offered on-campus or in an accelerated online format by LSU Shreveport and LSU Health Shreveport. It is fully accredited by CEPH (Council of Education in Public Health) and consists of 42 credit hours with 150 hours of applied practical experience. The program allows students to learn from renowned public health faculty and collaborate with other students to address global health issues with evidence-based approaches. Designing, implementing, and evaluating health programs, conducting research, and tracking disease outbreaks are just a handful of valuable experiences this program offers students to prepare them for an impactful career in public health! 

Study Public Health with LSU Online & Continuing Education 

Are you interested in pursuing an online public health degree? LSU Online & Continuing Education offers a program designed for those passionate about addressing public health issues with evidence-based approaches. This affordable program allows students to interact with renowned public health faculty from LSU Shreveport and LSU Health Shreveport in a collaborative online learning environment. Graduates are equipped to pursue careers in health education, epidemiology, environmental health, analytics, management, policy, and research across various sectors. 
 
With a flexible online format, students can balance their studies with work and other life responsibilities and complete the curriculum in just two years. 
 
Ready to start your educational journey? Learn more about the online Master of Public Health, or apply now! If you have any questions, our Enrollment Coaches are available to help. Connect with them today.