Student insight from APHA meeting in Boston
ECU’s College of Health and Human Performance was proud to have student and faculty representatives attend the American Public Health Association annual meeting and expo and 150th anniversary celebration in Boston earlier in November. 
This year’s themes for the event included 150 years of creating the healthiest nation, leading the path toward equity and to engage, collaborate, grow. Here are email responses from ECU students who attended:
Leslie Osorio
My favorite part of the APHA annual meeting was meeting other public health professionals and being able to learn from them. Learning about the different research and/or programs that are going on around the country is wonderful because it makes one think about how we can incorporate them into our own community. Also, seeing the city of Boston was a wonderful experience!
Lindsay McCoy
APHA was a wonderful experience! So many different individuals coming together to create a path toward equity and making an impact on society in many different levels. My favorite part was our first day, I went to a reproductive justice rally that was happening right outside the convention center in Boston. The President of APHA encouraged all of us to attend. I was able to hear speakers stand up for women’s rights and why it is important to vote. I also attended the film festival “War on Women” that included representation of reproductive freedom, abortion and equity. Overall, I had a great time and met many individuals who are just as excited to make a difference in people’s lives.
Nikhil Bhagat
Nikhil Bhagat presenting at the conference.
My favorite part about the conference had to be the many different interactions I was able to have between the many professionals and students within the event. It was surreal witnessing all of the different levels of public health being practiced. This event solidified my career goals, and I can now say without any hesitation that public health is my true passion.
Faith Bell
My favorite part about the APHA conference was interacting with people from around the world. It allowed me to open my networking skills and obtain more knowledge about maternal and child health. A lasting memory I have is watching the pro-choice rally and abortion documentary. The rally was peaceful and eye-opening. Women’s health is critical, it was great to see how others chose to portray their thoughts in a peaceful and educational manner. The documentary was eye-opening. I was able to learn more from a pro-life, and pro-choice perspective.
Elisabeth Reed
I had a great time. I was able to share my research while being around people who are also passionate about public health. I especially enjoyed learning about new technologies and methodologies being used in the field. I was also able to learn more about graduate programs and additional career paths – it was a great networking and professional development opportunity.
Ashley Zuniga
My most lasting memory from the APHA Conference was when me and the MCH-STEP Scholars witnessed an ongoing rally in front of the Boston Convention Center, regarding the importance of protecting women’s reproductive rights and the right to abortion in the healthcare system. It was amazing to witness this protest rally and experience the shoulder-to-shoulder togetherness with everyone there!