HSPH alumna Harriet Epstein, MPH '81, builds homes for a living. Not in the literal sense, but in the figurative sense. She has spent years abroad in places such as Albania and Kosovo working with NGOs to build networks of foster homes for children orphaned or abandoned due to war. She also has worked tirelessly to establish resource centers and respite services for families torn apart by violence in their countries.
Post-conflict work is very hard, and humanitarian workers must look after their own safety, noted Epstein, who spoke at HSPH on April 11. But, she added, graduates should "take the risk, take the challenges, and have a lot of fun. That's what it's all about."
From left to right, Anthony Chen, Harriet Epstein, and Louis DiBerardinis
Epstein was a speaker on a panel at the fourth annual Alumni Career Forum, "Public Health Careers: Myths and Realities." The event drew students from HSPH, HMS, HGSE, and Harvard College. The event was moderated by Myron Allukian, Jr., DDS, MPH '67, former president of the American Public Health Association.
Fellow panelist Deborah Enos, SM '79, is now president and CEO of Neighborhood Health Plan of Massachusetts. Her career path has taken her to a number of prestigious health care organizations across the country, and in her talk, she revealed her formula for success: 90 percent involves taking advantage of opportunities found through networking, and the rest is attributable to the preparation she received at HSPH, she said.
Over the years, Enos was lucky, she said, to be hired into newly created positions that were not well defined. She was willing to help wherever aid was needed. Most important, she took every opportunity to learn from everyone she met, in and out of the organization. Today, she heads an organization with 316 employees.
All four panelists urged potential job seekers to approach a job hunt with an open mind.
"Wherever you go, you need some basic technical skills, and you'll get what you need here [at Harvard]," said Louis DiBerardinis, MS, SM '75, director of environment, health, and safety for MIT, who also holds an adjunct position at HSPH. Supervising a staff of 60 professionals, DeBerardinis has learned the importance of good people skills, including active listening and conflict resolution. "Everyone needs these skills," he said.
Recent graduate Anthony Chen, MD, MPH '06, now is medical director of community health for Cambridge Health Alliance. His career credo is: Things happen, things work out, and opportunities present themselves.
While working as a physician at a community clinic for minority populations in Seattle, Chen realized his influence on his patients' lives was limited.
"As physicians, we can only do so much," he said. "If politicians, landlords, or electric companies are doing something else, you can't [solve the patient's problems alone]." In Seattle, Chen learned the importance of good medical management, patient outreach, and following your heart.
He returned to the Boston area to work in community medicine. He became interested in health disparities related to Hepatitis B. An athlete as well as a physician, Chen became involved with Run for Research, which encourages marathon runners to fundraise for liver disease research.
The event was co-sponsored by the HSPH Office of Alumni Programs and Office of Career Services. Attendees were able to ask panelists individual questions at break-out sessions and at a reception that followed the main program.
—PHC
Copyright, 2009, President and Fellows of Harvard College
