Student Spotlight: Francesca Salerno, MPH ’24

Applying Classroom Lessons to Real-World Settings

Francesca Salerno loves public health because “it touches so many different fields that contribute to improving the health of everyone—including the health of humans, animals, and the environment around them.”  

“The world is increasingly connected, and so is our health,” says Salerno, DVM, a second-year student in Geisel’s Master of Public Health (MPH) program, who also works as a lab technician at Dartmouth and resides in White River Junction, VT.   

Salerno came to Dartmouth after practicing veterinary medicine in Italy for two years, helping to prevent the spread of brucellosis and tuberculosis in buffalos, diseases that have a devastating effect on the health of animals, the local economy, and on workers’ lives and livelihoods. Below, Salerno discusses the value of attaining an MPH degree at Geisel.  

Q: Why did you choose to pursue your MPH degree at Dartmouth?  

A: I live in the Upper Valley, and I am convinced that a prestigious institution such as Dartmouth College would provide me the education I need to achieve my professional goals and expand my knowledge.  

As a large animal vet, I learned to recognize the importance of analyzing data in a meaningful way. What I’m learning in Dartmouth’s MPH program will allow me to make my own contribution as a researcher involved in finding timely solutions for emerging health challenges of the future.  

Q: What is something that surprised you (or that you appreciated) about your educational experience at Dartmouth?  

A: The opportunity to put what I learned in the program into practice through a practicum was one of the most inspiring experiences as a student. I learned how to apply public health principles. In addition, I had the chance to learn from my colleague’s projects. This made me appreciate even more how public health can impact people’s lives.

Q: What are your plans moving forward in the public health sphere?  A: All of the educational and professional experiences I have gained have made me appreciate the importance of public health and pursuing the concept of “One Health.”  

The CDC defines One Health as “a collaborative, multisectoral, and transdisciplinary approach with the goal of achieving optimal health outcomes, recognizing the interconnection between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment.”  

I hope to continue to contribute to strengthening the relationship between human and animal health and improve cooperation to prevent, monitor, and control infectious diseases. 

POSTED 1/8/2024 AT 03:13 PM IN #education #mph online #studentspotlight #mph