London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Current job title and organisation

Infection Preventionist/Public Health Nurse; Ventura County Public Health- Communicable Diseases.

Can you please tell us a bit about your current work/research?

My current role uses nursing practice and infection prevention and control principles to identify, prevent and control infectious diseases that pose a threat to public health such as emerging infectious diseases, healthcare-associated infections, vaccine-preventable agents, bacterial toxins, bioterrorism agents, and pandemics. I do a lot of case investigation and outbreak management for anything that fits under that breadth of pathogens within my county’s jurisdiction.

What course and year did you study at LSHTM?

I was part of the 2017 PDTN cohort- an amazing experience and people.

Why did you choose to study with LSHTM?

I’ve always wanted to give to the world in a meaningful way. Nursing turned out to be the avenue for me and communicable diseases the particular expression of that desire. The culture and mission of LSHTM and education offered perfectly align with that goal.

Did you have to overcome any challenges to study with us?     

Logistics was a bit of a challenge. I was newly out of university and just getting into my nursing practice when I was offered a chance to study- I would make the same choice if I had to do it over.

What were your favourite memories from your studies with us?

Meeting the students. I made some lifelong friends from the program. I also loved the lectures and microscopy portions. Essentially, everything about studying with LSHTM.

How has your LSHTM degree helped you in your career?

It allowed me to stand out among other candidates, gave me foundational knowledge in areas that others had little, and the realisation that nursing has a vital role in the field of infectious diseases for both developed and developing countries.

What would you like to achieve in future?

To continue to expand the impact nurses have as infection preventionists.

Do you have any advice for students/recent graduates?

Seek out opportunities and never stop challenging yourself.

“You will see humans at their worst, most desperate, and most vulnerable. Remember WHY you do what you do: to mend the wounded, heal the sick, and comfort the dying.”- Dustyn Williams