Improving HIV/AIDS Outcomes in Tennessee

Meet Veronica Calvin, MPH, CHES
Western Kentucky University
Health Education
Tennessee Department of Health
Contact Veronica

Veronica Calvin finished her Master’s in Public Health degree at Western Kentucky University with an emphasis in health education. She, like many new grads, felt that finding work after school would not be a problem. Little did she know that it would take eighteen long months to find MPH work. It was a tough road, but she learned how to stay positive.

Tennessee Department of Health
During her job search, Veronica kept tabs on Tennessee State job postings. She applied for any health-related job and eventually got hired as a Disease Intervention Specialist Case Manager with the Tennessee Department of Health. Her work consists of researching barriers to medical care for HIV-positive individuals. She is often out in the community, meeting with people and asking them about their lives. Veronica’s work is funded by a grant from the CDC CAPUS (Care and Prevention in the United States) Demonstration Project which was created to impact HIV/AIDS among racial minorities in the United States.

MPH On The Job
Veronica uses her MPH every day at work. During her community interactions, Veronica employs her health education skills to share information about HIV/AIDS with community members. She works hand-in-hand with other health administrators to accomplish her goals and she keeps track of epidemiological information about HIV/AIDS in her area. She even was given a special assignment to assist with an HIV/AIDS outbreak in Austin, Indiana. Her training has been invaluable for her work.

Staying Connected
Veronica stays connected with the public health community by being a member of the American Public Health Association. She was a conference attendee this year. Veronica is also a Certified Health Education Specialist and maintains her skills by participating in continuing education events, seminars, and conferences.

Advice for New Grads
Veronica understands the fears and frustrations of not being able to find public health work right out of school. She encourages new grads to be patient and to continue strengthening public health and administrative skills. She also suggests that new grads continue to network with professors, references, and other people in their field. She says to be proactive about reaching out to other MPH-ers and learn about their work. The wait can be frustrating, but it is well worth it when you get the job you are hoping for.

Contact Veronica
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