Managing in Turbulent Times: Emerging Leaders in Public Health

Current Scholars

Ruth O. ArumalaRuth O. Arumala, BS
MPH student, Mercer University School of Medicine

Area of work: Public and Community Health

I am currently an MPH student at Mercer University School of Medicine (MUSM). Before arriving at Mercer, I graduated from the University of Maryland with 2 Bachelors of Science degrees in Genetics and Psychology. I am currently working as a graduate assistant for Mercer University's Department of Recreational Sports and Wellness. In this position, I work as a health educator and coordinator on the Sexual Assault, Hazing and Alcohol Awareness Prevention Education (S.H.A.P.E.) committee. I am responsible for creating and evaluating programs that educate the Mercer population about these three focus areas. I am also involved in the Mental Health Task Force that is using a public health approach to de-stigmatize mental health seeking behavior and prevent suicides in our college population.

My second position is as a research assistant with MUSM's Department of Community Medicine's Center of Rural Health and Health Disparities. I am working on a research project that seeks to identify breast cancer knowledge and screening practices in African-American women in rural Georgia. Last year, I created a group known as Ladies of Value and Excellence (LOVE). This is a group consists of 8 classmates and I working together in our community to prevent teenage pregnancy.

Personal Information

My passion is fitness! I am an AFAA certified personal trainer, aerobics and kickboxing instructor. I currently teach aerobics at Mercer University and Macon State University. I also train clients at Mercer University. I am also a sports fanatic! I play volleyball, basketball, tennis and run regularly.

What I would like to get out of this program

I would like to learn practical tools that will increase and improve my leadership skills. I would also like to focus my career goals and create a strategic plan to be able to adapt to our ever-changing world