Managing in Turbulent Times: Emerging Leaders in Public Health

Alumni

Anita Balan, BA, CHESAnita Balan, BA, CHES
Student Health Advocate, Department of Health Education, Rutgers University

Area of work: Health advocacy of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs awareness, sexual health and sexuality and LGBTQ issues, advocacy of social justice

I am a May 2007 graduate of Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey with a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science and a minor in Public Health. For four years, I worked part time in Department of Health Education and served as a student health advocate in the areas of Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs Awareness, sexual health and social justice to raise awareness of racism, sexism, and homophobia on campus. I have also volunteered my time on the student panel of Peer Educators of Sexuality and Queer Issues (PESQI) on campus and trained to serve as domestic violence response team volunteer to help victims of domestic abuse. Through these various organizations, I have assisted in the coordination, implementation and evaluation of several health education events of various sizes including the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt at Rutgers University on Dec1, 2005 which drew 700 members of Rutgers community. Given my academic knowledge and practical experience, I took my Certified Health Education Specialist Exam in late April 2007.

My passion for preventive health, strong belief in harm-reduction model and commitment to encourage positive behavior modification among youth on- campus, earned me The Renaissance Award for Student Excellence in May 2006 and nomination for several others. I wish to pursue my Masters and Doctorate in public policy and public health to serve in the public/non-profit sector, with the hope of, simultaneously, holding a local elected office.

Personal Information

I draw inspiration from my mother,who,as a physcian has tirelessly served her community in Chennai,India and my father, who for the past ten years has worked very hard to give my brother and me and a world class education at Rutgers. I am also inspired by my younger brother who excels in everything he sets his mind to,be it academics, research or his passion that is Indian Classical Mandolin. During my free time I enjoy cooking, watching movies and  plays,and occasionally reading and playing tennis

What I would like to get out of this program

Apart from team-work, project development and organizational skills, I am looking forward to learn the impact of money and management on public health which will compliment my acquired knowledge on preventive public health. I wish to learn various skills to address public health crises of communication, finance or human resources. I am also looking forward to meet and create a network with other public health professionals.