Rory Moore (SPH’19).

Job Title

STI/HIV Community Events Organizer, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

What did you enjoy most about your experience at SPH?

During my time at BUSPH, I enjoyed most being able to serve as the Students of Color Fall 2018 President because it allowed me to unite with the Queer Alliance and International Student Organization to advocate for a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable campus environment for all.

Did you have a favorite professor or class at SPH?

My favorite BUSPH professor was David Jones and I really enjoyed his PH840: Analysis of Current Health Policy Issues class.

How did your practicum or education experience at BUSPH shape your career goals?

For my BUSPH practicum, I was a Harvard Rappaport Summer Public Policy Fellow where I worked at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) to achieve zero new HIV infections by 2020. This involved working simultaneously with the MDPH Office of HIV AIDS, MDPH Office of Sexual Health and Youth Development, and Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth to note new critical HIV prevention strategies, craft policy recommendations, and initiate community praxis to reduce HIV infections amongst populations at high risk. This experience has propelled me to further my HIV prevention community advocacy work in Colorado.

What advice can you lend to students as they prepare for the workforce?

The best advice that I can give to students as they prepare to enter the workforce is to focus heavily on networking and cultivating key relationships that may be beneficial to their career. It is not simply what you know, it is more about who you know. You may be fortunate to land an immediate job after graduating, or it may take you several months until you get that right job but it helps when others know about your needs and lead you in the right direction to get there.

In one sentence, what does public health mean to you?

Public health means eliminating racial, gender, and ethnic health disparities and health inequities through social and environmental justice, and inclusive and equitable practices to ensure everyone has the opportunity to have a healthy life.