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What is public health and health administration?

Public health promotes and protects the health of people and the communities where they live, learn, work and play. Individuals working in public health work to prevent people from getting sick or injured in the first place and promote physical and mental wellbeing by encouraging healthy behaviors.

Health administration is focused on improving the delivery of healthcare. Individuals working in health administration manage and lead aspects of care delivery in settings such as hospitals and clinics. They also work in companies and organizations that impact healthcare including insurance, medical device, and pharmaceutical companies.

People working in public health and health administration are often the silent heroes behind the scenes, supporting policies such as smoke-free indoor air or improving the hiring process to address the nursing shortage. Those in the public health field help track infectious outbreaks, promote healthy lifestyles and prevent injuries.

At the Fairbanks School of Public Health will you have the opportunity to study with award-winning professors, students from all over the world and classes built for the modern era. 

Here you can gain real-world experience that will set you apart in your career. Our students have volunteered or used their job or internship to make a difference during the pandemic. 

• Michelle Martin, a Health Services Management student, helped the radiology department at the Simon Cancer Center shift their focus during the pandemic.
• DrPH student Beth Kenney has led LifeSpring Health’s response to COVID-19.
• Brandon Lewis, MPH in Social and Behavioral Sciences student, has served the Indiana WIC community throughout the pandemic.
• MPH in Health Policy and Management student Megan Lisch helped the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration’s Office of Healthy Opportunities launch a food assistance availability map.
• BSPH students Catherine Raciti and Anna Heilers launched a student accountability group to help support other undergraduate students during the transition to online learning this spring.
• BSPH students Karly Van Slyke and Dawson Groves used their Community Health education to support their work on the frontlines of responding to COVID-19 at St. Vincent Hospital.
• Whitney Whitfield, a BSPH student, supported her fellow Hoosiers by volunteering with the ISDH COVID-19 Call Team.

Make the most of the opportunities available to you. At the Fairbanks School of Public Health, you are equipped with the tools and strategies needed to make a difference in your community at any level.