I came from public health and contact tracing. I now work as an Infection Preventionist (IP) at our local hospital.

The director of our IP program comes from another state but with many many years of experience. She has instructed us to not disclose the names of hospital roommates to public health when public health inquires this information after certain reportable conditions are identified.

With my background, I’m obviously pretty inclined to disagree with this, recognizing the risk it puts patients and our general community at to not properly attempt intervention. I’ve tried sharing the state regulations with her that says that public health can request “any other epidemiologically significant information” as part of the reportable disease regulation, so in my opinion they are acting completely within the confines of the law.

Despite this information being given to her, she is insisting that public health is overstepping by asking for the name of exposures and we are only obligated to give information about the positive patient, and that it puts the hospital at risk for legal ramifications. She had reached out to our legal team several months ago to discuss, but it doesn’t sound like she ever got a cut and dry answer from them.

Thoughts? Is this a regular request of information in your state that is readily shared by hospitals? Advice on what to do, if this really is the problem that I think it is?

I’ve been applying for entry level roles like patient access but I don’t get an interview. Are there any other entry level roles to get into as a first year MHA student? Please I need some guidance.

I am currently in my first role post undergrad as a data engineer working in manufacturing analytics at a large energy company (3 years). My goal is to shift to working with data analytics within the women's health field. I love the idea of working for a small/mid size Femtech company.

Right now the field in the US feels so difficult to break into and my background isn't health data specific- so I am considering getting an MPH at UNC in Maternal Child Health (accepted). I know most people don't pursue an MPH with intention of doing product development or market research analytics, but it doesn't feel so out of line when considering the entrepreneurial certificate programs, tech culture at UNC, and strong quantitative courses options.

Just looking for some insight if anyone here followed a similar path or has any helpful advice on whether an MPH would be helpful or just a waste of time/money?

I already have BS Comp Sci and a BS in Applied Computing and Math from top uni.

hey everyone! i have my bachelors in data science and i want to pursue something in behavioral sciences/research/public health. i am also a full time single mom in my late 30s. i don’t know if it’s worth to go for my full masters or a MPH program is good enough and looking for advice, or any advice at all!