To bring a spotlight on work DrPH students/alumni are undertaking in other public health institutions, we are providing a DrPH Guest Spotlight to learn more of the initiatives taking place nationally and globally from this growing Doctor of Public Health community. The areas of discussion (or “hot topics”) are related to their program/project or current job. We hope to create a robust environment of engagement, dialogue and sharing of ideas amongst the DrPH community.
Our current DrPH Guest Spotlight is on Farida Goje, DrPH ’26!
- What is the name of the DrPH Program you are currently enrolled in/are in an alumnus of?
Farida: Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health (Georgia)
- What is/was your major area of focus/interest while enrolled in your DrPH Program?
Farida: My major is in public health, specializing in public health leadership. My research interests in public health are policy assessment and evaluation, policy advocacy, health policy analysis, health data analytics, telemedicine and digital health, AI in healthcare, healthcare expenditure analysis, climate change and health, and environmental justice. These courses/training and professional development opportunities prepared me for the DrPH program, and some were required.
- Where are you currently working and a brief description of your job?
Farida: Currently, I work alongside the President of the Senate in Nigeria. I concurrently keep up with my philanthropy activities and focus on public health and healthcare programs/policies in this area. Some of the work I do alongside of the President of the Senate in Nigeria includes:
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- Dissecting the health and primary health bills and policies to the senate president to suggest best practices and recommendations.
- Ensuring policies and stances that promote healthcare access and public health by connecting with health authorities to ensure they follow the recommended guidelines while monitoring the development of new health patterns and threats.
- Providing authorities of public health with the law by offering consultation on the implications of suggested health policies and collaborating with stakeholders to handle public health problems.
- Understanding the legislative process in healthcare by providing policy-related advice on legislative initiatives and aligning legislative priorities with public health goals.
Regarding my philanthropy, the Farida Goje Foundation raises awareness of kidney diseases in impoverished communities, focusing on the disadvantaged, i.e., orphans and the disabled. It provides information, support, and necessary resources through dedicated programs and community help, thus improving quality of life and societal values with comprehensive community health promotion campaigns
- If you are in a management position, what would you look for when hiring new graduates from a DrPH Program?
Farida: Regarding my role, when hiring graduates from a DrPH program, I would strive to recruit and hire graduates who have achieved/demonstrated the highest level of academic rigor and skills in their program, as well as a clear link between their expertise and the mission of the organization to informed and impact public health outcomes.
For me, such graduates of CEPH-certified schools are the cream of the crop as they have acquired top-level skills that are fit for public health practice. I would seek those who have not only shown a high academic performance but have also managed to partake in public health interventions or internships that communicate applying theoretical knowledge to real-life public health problems. Their respective course loads and areas of specialization should demonstrate a depth of understanding of the heterogeneity of public health problems and a strong devotion to eventually tackling these difficulties creatively.
In addition, adaptability, critical thinking, and the ability to work as a team are the key elements to acting successfully in an ever-changing public health environment.
- What is one “hot topic” in public health you are currently working on or one you would like to shine light on for the public?
Farida: I want to shine a light on the topic of using AI and technology within public health, marking the beginning of a new healthcare format, majorly for the disabled, deprived, and those who live in marginalized communities. AI is critical for predictive analysis and personalized care; therefore, medical tools that help to diagnose and treat health conditions can be adjusted based on individual needs. Also, technologies such as e-health records and appointment booking systems can improve the accessibility and efficiency of services, making healthcare more inclusive and equal.
AI technology and other digital tools are increasingly seen as critical facilitators of healthcare advancement for the disabled, the less fortunate, the disadvantaged, and different population groups. AI and technology tools that go beyond traditional borders of healthcare and public health, provide innovative solutions that ensure millions have access to efficient care, tailor treatment plans, and strengthen the weak sections of our healthcare systems are rapidly evolving and emerging.
With the aid of AI, the prediction of future health trends in communities can be executed more efficiently, interventions can be made in advance, and appropriate allocation of healthcare resources will be more effective (Alowais et al., 2023). Placing greater emphasis on tech tools like telehealth and mobile apps would facilitate more excellent healthcare services. It would identify the need(s) of individuals with mobility challenges or living in isolated areas. AI and technology tools have multiple and interrelated effects in this field; they are just becoming significant tools for care delivery. Without mistakes, they expand health services to the most affected populations. For instance, the provision of assistive technologies that help persons with disabilities manage their daily routine and healthcare. At the same time, digital platforms automate the health education delivery process according to the target population’s diverse literacy levels and languages (Sharma & Patten, 2022). On the other hand, the various technological interventions can deconstruct systematic barriers to healthcare, which are health determinants, by making health and public health information accessible and allowing access to diagnostic and treatment facilities equitably to society (Rodriguez et al., 2022).
Alongside the emerging healthcare developments, the implementation of AI and other technology tools in public health shows that there should be attentive monitoring to ensure that innovations will be for the core purpose of democratizing healthcare and increasing the quality of life for vulnerable populations. This continual progression shows us the necessity to continue research, development, and policymaking, which considers the ethical, privacy, and accessibility challenges that arise while adopting new technologies in healthcare. Hence, for healthcare professionals, policymakers, and relevant stakeholders, continuous monitoring of this eventful sphere is unavoidable because these technologies are not only tools but conveyors of goodwill for attaining health equity and inclusivity (Yacine Hadjiat, 2023).
- Is there any work/document/article you are currently working on that you’d like to promote?
Farida: For a forthcoming publication, I am currently working on a paper about integrated health system quality metrics. I have provided references to support my perspective on this hot and crucial topic.
If you would like to connect with Farida, you may contact her at: fg01980@georgiasouthern.edu
