Health Behavior and Health Equity,Alumni

Isabelle Duong wearing her graduation gown

Childhood challenges shape public health advocate's inspiring journey

Isabelle Duong, BS ’24

As a child—as young as 9—Isabelle Duong was thrust into the complexities of healthcare systems. Both of her parents are Vietnamese refugees who fled during the Vietnam War, and navigating the American and Canadian healthcare systems for her mother, who battles lupus, fell on Duong. The experience not only had a great influence on her views of public health but also encouraged her to champion student voices on public health issues.

Irving Suarez

Transforming public health research into real-world impact

Irving Suarez, MPH ’25

Irving Suarez is committed to ensuring that public health research translates into meaningful action. As a student earning a Master of Public Health in Health Behavior and Health Education from the University of Michigan School of Public Health, he is motivated by the desire to apply research findings to real-world problems, ensuring “they don’t just gather dust on shelves.”

Nahiely Reza

Poverty Solutions RA leads with heritage, community to enrich research

Nahiely Reza, MPH/MSW ’24

Nahiely Reza, MPH/MSW ’24, knew her fluency in Spanish could be an asset to her work at Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan. But she didn’t anticipate some of the ways the language would open up new connections with the communities engaged in the research.

Gretta Rempel Fisher

Community-driven research fuels public health journey

Gretta Rempel Fisher, MPH ’25

Growing up Mennonite in Iowa City, Iowa, deeply influenced Gretta Rempel Fisher’s values and aspirations, emphasizing community, mutual aid and collective well-being. These beliefs, which coincide with public health principles, permeated her education and career choices. Pursuing a Master of Public Health in Health Behavior & Health Equity at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, Rempel Fisher’s roots continue to guide her focus on community-driven research and health equity.

Kate Monti

Health tech founder builds on public health roots to increase access to care

Kate Monti, MPH/MSW ’17

Attending a women’s entrepreneurship event while in graduate school helped launch alumna Kate Monti’s career in digital health and entrepreneurship. Monti, who earned a dual master’s degree in Public Health and Social Work in 2017, is the founder and president of Avela Health.

Dana Hollins

Lifetime of curiosity leads to passion for industrial hygiene, exposure assessment

Dana Hollins, MPH ’05, CIH

At Michigan Public Health, Dana Hollins discovered her true passion for industrial hygiene and exposure assessment, honing her skills in epidemiology and environmental health, shaping her successful career. Today, as the senior principal health scientist, she leads the Health Sciences Division for Hollins Consulting.