Grace Lee had every intention of pursuing medical school after earning an undergraduate degree. Then, she had the opportunity to spend time on a hospital floor while working as a research assistant, and things changed.

“I learned the value and importance of being on the front lines of health care,” Lee says.

She saw her work making a difference for individual patients, but she also was witnessing the impacts of social determinants of health every day.

“I yearned to make an even greater impact, which is when I turned my career path toward public health.”

Lee accepted a role as an analyst at Shatterproof, an organization that aims to reverse the ongoing opioid crisis. At Shatterproof, she researches policy and substance use stigma, collects entries for the organization’s Share Your Story campaign via Twitter and works on a survey for the development of a standardized method to measure stigma. Survey participants are encouraged to answer prompts based on public health evidence.

“The goal of [the Share Your Story campaign] is to not only reduce substance use stigma but also empower those in recovery and humanize the disease of addiction,” she says.

Lee’s desire to improve health equity and reduce health disparities led her to pursue a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree. She lives in the health policy hub of the nation, Washington, D.C., and she was drawn to the Gillings School of Global Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill because of its international reputation and top ranking.

“The research, alumni network and quality education were all criteria for me in an MPH program, and Gillings checked off all three,” she says, describing the Gillings School as “the perfect fit.”

She enrolled in the online MPH program in fall 2019 on the full-time track and is expected to graduate in spring 2021.

Inspired by the passion of both her teachers and classmates at the UNC Gillings School, she has loved the personalized discussions and hands-on experience of the program, particularly in the Advanced Health Policy Analysis and Advocacy class taught by Zara Ahmed, DrPH.

“I enjoyed the immersive assignments throughout the course that allowed me to channel my education into actionable projects,” Lee says. “What is great about the MPH@UNC program is that my peers not only live all around the country and the world but most are working professionals with very diverse backgrounds. I’ve learned so much about their goals and passions in both public health and in life in general.”

Lee has made lasting connections outside the classroom through MPH@UNC, and she believes in the power of networking.

“If I were to give recent graduates or undergraduate students advice, it would be to utilize your network as much as possible, as small or as large as that network may be,” she says, citing professors, advisers, campus clubs, peers and family as ways for students to connect with career-building opportunities. She also recommends keeping up with the news, reading, listening to podcasts and attending lectures as ways to stay engaged and inspired.

“I think it’s important to seek out opportunities that will keep you constantly learning about the topics you’re interested in.”

Lee guides incoming students as an MPH@UNC student ambassador, giving advice and acting as a mentor.

“I personally like seeking advice and additional input from other people, so for me to be able to reciprocate that to someone else is why I chose to be an ambassador. I also love getting to know new people,” she says.

Some days, working on the Share Your Story campaign can be emotionally and mentally draining for Lee.

“Listening to people’s personal stories of their challenges from substance use and recovery — especially during this time of COVID-19 and the Black Lives Matter movement — is very tough.”

Still, her desire to make a difference for marginalized, disadvantaged and underserved populations remains undeterred.

“I also view these stories as hopeful, empowering and inspiring,” she says. “Many of them are extremely uplifting, and I admire the courage and strength these amazing humans display.”

Every day, Lee learns more about the nonprofit world and what it means to be a successful public health worker. She credits her MPH@UNC experience with helping her meet her goals.

“My MPH education has greatly enhanced my work because I’ve applied many of the core principles I’ve learned in my classes to my current projects in the field. It’s very fulfilling to see my MPH education in action.”

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