November Alumni Spotlight with Amy Lee

Amy Lee is an associate professor of community medicine and the program director of the Consortium of Eastern Ohio Master of Public Health in the Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences at the Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine (NEOUCOM) and Pharmacy in Rootstown, Ohio.

Lee, originally from northeastern Ohio, received an MPH from the Ohio State University in 1996, an MBA from the University of Akron, a MD from the Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine, and a BS in natural sciences from the University of Akron.

Her academic advisor in the School of Public Health was Moon Chen, PhD. "He was a wonderful mentor," Lee said of Chen, who is now at UC Davis. "I still touch base with him and try to see him at the American Public Health Association meetings every year."

What do you enjoy about your work?
I enjoy the flexibility of working in an academic setting. The MPH program that I direct is a partnership of the University of Akron, Cleveland State University, NEOUCOM, Ohio University and Youngstown State University. I interact with students, faculty, staff and administrators from all these institutions to implement the program. With the committees, and input of students and faculty, we can experiment with different distance learning technologies and put together collaborative programming. But, probably my favorite aspect about my job is seeing our students graduate and go on to careers that make an impact on the health of the community in which they are serving.

What's challenging about it?
Working with five academic institutions, as opposed to only one, is a challenge. Each one has its own set of guidelines and policies. However, organizational structure and procedure is a part of any agency: I just deal with five sets of them! Everyone has been really good about supporting the program.

What's one thing you learned at the College of Public Health that's helped you in the "real world"?
One of the great things that Moon Chen taught me was the power of collaboration. I helped him on a couple of his grants involving Asian American Pacific Islander health. One of the activities was to manage a coalition of many agencies and groups. I have used these skills in my current position.

What public health issues concern you the most?
My greatest concern is how the debate about health care seems to be focused on the funding, rather than what we can do to really improve health.

What advice do you have for others interested in pursuing a career in public health?
I talk to a lot of potential applicants who are interested in getting into an MPH program. One of the things I tell them is to talk to a lot of people -- especially people who are in a career that you'd like to be in. Ask them for advice on the best way to be where they are! Also, once you embark on a new career, joining associations is a great way to network and gain access to resources.

Do you have a fond OSU memory to share?
I was with the "non-traditional" class that came every Friday, Saturday and Sunday once a month. One of my favorite memories is the "whining and dining" sessions we would have, for those of us who came in from out of town. We often stayed at one of the hotels along Olentangy River Road and ate dinner together on Friday and Saturday nights. But seriously, I don't think we really whined too much. But, we did form lasting relationships -- many of us keep in contact with each other even after we all graduated from the program.

Is there anything else that you'd like to add?
As I get older, I learn how much there is to learn! I am constantly amazed at the opportunities and challenges there are in public health (and life, in general)! Through all of my experiences -- youth, academic, career -- I have gained pieces of what I am today. I just want to thank everyone who has been a part of my "formative" years!