Self-Introduction

Hello everyone,

I’m thrilled to be starting this course with all of you. My background might seem a bit unusual for someone delving into public health, as I spent several years working as an event planner, specializing in large-scale corporate conferences and expos across East Africa. From negotiating with venues in Nairobi and Kigali to coordinating intricate logistics for hundreds of attendees, speakers, and exhibitors, my days were a whirlwind of detail management, problem-solving, and ensuring seamless execution under pressure.

You might wonder how that connects to epidemiology! I expect this course to be incredibly valuable in several ways for my future career aspirations. While my previous role was about orchestrating events, it demanded rigorous project management, risk assessment, stakeholder communication, and rapid adaptation to unforeseen circumstances. I constantly had to anticipate potential issues – from catering mishaps to technical failures – and develop contingency plans. These skills, I believe, are highly transferable to public health.

Specifically, I envision pivoting my career towards public health program management or emergency preparedness and response within the African context. This course in epidemiology will provide the foundational scientific understanding of disease patterns, transmission, and intervention effectiveness. My event planning background equipped me with the operational skills to implement complex plans, coordinate diverse teams, and manage resources efficiently. Combining that with a strong grasp of epidemiological principles, I hope to be able to design, manage, and evaluate impactful public health initiatives, particularly in rapid response scenarios or large-scale health campaigns, where meticulous planning and swift execution are paramount. I’m excited to learn how to apply a data-driven, evidence-based approach to the practicalities of public health.