Recent Dornsife MPH Graduate Paves Way for Impactful Community Health and Prevention Career
June 16, 2024
Stacy Jimenez is officially a Master of Public Health (MPH) graduate from the department of Community Health & Prevention at the Drexel Dornsife School of Public Health. As her time at Dornsife came to a close, she shared reflections on her experiences at the school. She carries with her more than just a diploma, she brings a commitment to community health shaped by her roots in rural Oklahoma and a deep understanding of the power of culturally grounded public health work.
Born and raised as the first-born in an immigrant family, Stacy dreamed of going to medical school and returning as a bilingual physician to serve her town and those with similar lived experiences. However, this dream shifted after seeing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic unfolding in her community.
“I witnessed firsthand how vulnerable households, particularly those from minority and immigrant backgrounds, were disproportionately affected.” Stacy shared. “Many meat-packing plant workers, unable to afford time off, faced elevated risk simply to support their families. These realities led me to a pivotal conversation with my mentor, Dr. Teri Mora, who introduced me to the field of public health.”
That new direction quickly turned into hands-on impact. As a Community Health Worker in Oklahoma City, Stacy helped families navigate services and health education, from connecting them with resources to teaching them practical safety measures like how to correctly install a child car seat.
Stacy’s dedication to grassroots health promotion only deepened during her time at Dornsife as a Dornsife Public Health Research Fellow, working as a research assistant under the direction of Ana Martinez-Donate, PhD, professor in the department of Community Health and Prevention and associate dean for public health practice and external relations at Dornsife, on the CRiSOL Mente project. This project aims to improve mental health outcomes and promotes access to culturally appropriate mental health treatment within the Latino community in Philadelphia. Leading the project’s social marketing campaign, Stacy supported “promotoras de salud” by developing culturally tailored outreach materials and engaging Latino communities through in-person events, radio, and social media to reduce stigma around mental health care.
This practical experience coupled with mentorship was invaluable for Stacy. “Dr. Martinez-Donate played a pivotal role in my graduate experience such as opening doors for me to gain hands-on experience in both community work and research,” she shared. “Her belief in my potential and consistent support of my goals have empowered me to pursue meaningful opportunities and grow as a public health professional.”
While her public health work was enriching, the academic journey wasn’t without its challenges. “One of the greatest academic challenges I faced during my MPH program was adjusting to biostatistics and epidemiology courses, as I had never taken classes in those subjects before,” Stacy admits. She overcame the steep learning curve by attending office hours and seeking one-on-one support, eventually building confidence in areas that once felt overwhelming.
“This coursework has also prepared me to carry out data analysis, recognizing that while numbers tell an important story, they rarely capture the full picture on their own,” Stacy said. “Equally important were the qualitative and community-based research courses, which deepened my understanding of how to center lived experiences in public health work.”
Another standout experience was her class on Community-Based Participatory Research led by Ashley B. Gripper, PhD, MPH, assistant professor in the department of Environmental & Occupational Health and The Ubuntu Center on Racism, Global Movements, and Population Health Equity. Stacy shared that Dr. Gripper made her, and her fellow students, feel truly seen and heard from day one by recognizing that each learner processes information differently. It also further instilled her commitment to a community engaged public health approach. “The course content was both empowering and validating, offering a deeper understanding of public health practices rooted in community engagement and love. It reinforced my belief that meaningful public health work must be done with empathy, humility, and respect for the communities we serve,” she shared.
Now, as she closes this chapter, Stacy is ready to return to Oklahoma—this time with new tools and perspectives to match her long-standing passion. “While the public health sector is currently facing some uncertainty, I remain confident in my ability to find a role where I can collaborate with communities, whether through education, health promotion, or other meaningful pathways.”
Congratulations Stacy and fellow members of the Dornsife Class of 2025!
Learn more about the MPH