Class of 2022 Spotlights: Health Science
The mission of the Health Science Department is to aid and encourage students’ development into competent professionals and life-long learners who are responsible for community health/public health disciplines, including health education and related areas.
While we commend and celebrate all CHHS graduates, here are a few graduates whose stories stand out because of their determination to overcome challenges, to follow their dreams, and to make a positive impact on the lives of others.
Victoria A. Davis: Master of Public Health - Community Health Education
Victoria A. Davis began her master’s program in Public Health at the start of the pandemic and found it challenging to start a new university where she would have to learn remotely. She overcame these challenges by being proactive about her education and taking advantage of all the resources the university and her professors had to offer. Victoria was also involved with the campus community where she served as Vice President and President of the Health Science Graduate Association (HSGA) while also making time to intern for Dr. Amber Johnson and the Black Health Equity Collaborative.
Milena Gevorkian: B.S. Health Science – Community Health Education
During her time at CSULB as Health Science major, Milena Gevorkian became the founder and president of a community organization called “Let’s Rattle Hunger” which aims to provide low-income parents with necessities for their infants and children. Milena was inspired to start this organization from her own personal experiences when her mother was unable to continue her education due to a lack of resources for single parents. She was also elected as the Senator for the College of Health and Human Services during the pandemic and used her position to voice the concerns of her peers and served as an advocate for better learning outcomes and academic success.
Milena hopes to become a health care provider who not only offers superb treatment plans but also educates patients about their health in terms of behaviors, medication, and treatment procedures. “I truly intend to instruct my community on how they can achieve health and wellness with clinical and behavioral approaches. I choose to treat each and every individual I encounter equally with respect and dignity.”
Cindy Osegueda, a first-generation Salvadorian- American student, is a developing public health professional who was inspired to make a difference after seeing her community live through hardships without the proper resources. Cindy credits EOP, her advisors, and CHHS for giving her the resources and guidance she needed to overcome any of the challenges she faced while in school. One of the important things that Cindy learned during her time at CSULB is to not be afraid to take risks and accept new opportunities because you have to give yourself the best shot you can.
Vy Vu Tuong Tran, a Health Science major, has always been passionate about making a positive change in people’s lives and aspires to be knowledgeable about health so that she can help those around her in wellness. Vy’s ultimate goal is to become an ER nurse, and she believes that pursuing an occupation as a health care professional is an honorable career that requires selfless service and safe, patient-centered care.
During her time at CSULB, Vy was an intern at AADAP (Asian American Drug Abuse Program), a chemistry tutor at her pervious college, and she also joined a number of career workshops in preparation for her future. “Time spent at CSULB was so valuable to me, I've learned so much, not only academic-wise, but also about myself.”
Noemi Mendez: Master of Public Health – Community Health Education
As a Latina from Southeast Los Angeles (SELA), Noemi Mendez decided to pursue a Master’s degree in Public Health because she has personally experienced and witnessed the multitude of health inequities that her community continues to face today. She aspires to apply the knowledge gained from the MPH program to serve and work with her community to transform policies that can improve public health. “I hope to be able to serve as a mentor and role model for the new generation of youth who live in SELA so that they may join me in this journey to co-create change in our community.”
Along with completing the MPH program, Noemi also contributed to her community by working as a Project Coordinator with the Institute for Health Equity at AltaMed Health Services and as an Intern with the Black Health Equity Collaborative in Long Beach.
