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Practicum experience enhances this MPH student’s research insights

Mary Cunningham — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 14:03:53 +0000

Practicum experience enhances this MPH student’s research insights Mary Cunningham Fri, 08/28/2026 - 10:03

Key Takeaways

George Mason MPH student Keya Chilka used her practicum at WRMA to expand her research skills and explore how business development and research work together to advance public health initiatives.
Through projects focused on older adults, child welfare, and the use of AI in adult protective services, Chilka contributed to research that addresses underserved populations and emerging public health challenges.
Chilka says her MPH coursework and practicum broadened her understanding of public health, showing how health outcomes are shaped by social systems such as child welfare, education, housing, and community support.

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MPH

Practicum

Learn more about the MPH.

Keya Chilka has always been drawn to work that improves the lives of vulnerable populations. Her experiences working at Ramapo for Children, a nonprofit that serves youth with social-emotional challenges and developmental disabilities, confirmed her commitment to supporting vulnerable populations and inspired her interest in improving the systems and services that support them.

Key Chilka, a Master of Public Health student at 91��. Photo provided.

To gain the skills needed to improve health and well-being, Chilka is in the Master of Public Health (MPH) program, concentrating in Health Equity and Social Justice at 91��.

"Seeing public health in action through my coursework and practicum has redefined my understanding of the field," said Chilka. "This broader perspective has helped me understand that improving health and well-being requires addressing the social systems that shape people's lives."

While pursuing her degree, Chilka works as a senior research associate at WRMA, a subsidiary of TriMetrix, Inc, which supports health and human service agencies. For her MPH practicum, she stepped into a different role at WRMA to explore how research and business development work together. The practicum provides students with the opportunity to practice and improve professional skills in a supervised setting.

Chilka shares how the flexibility of George Mason’s MPH program allowed her to learn more about the company she already worked for and how her practicum taught her how business development and research intersect in support of public health.

How was your practicum different from your regular work at WRMA?

Although I already worked at the company, my practicum allowed me to experience a different side of the organization. My day-to-day role focuses on direct project work in child welfare research, while my practicum placed me with WRMA's business development research work group.

The business development team focuses on building strategic partnerships, identifying new funding opportunities, and developing products that showcase WRMA's expertise and research capabilities. WRMA was extremely supportive in helping me reach my practicum objectives through this group’s work.

What did you learn from the experience?

One of the biggest things I learned during my practicum was how business development and research intersect. I learned how to identify emerging research areas and develop products that demonstrate an organization's expertise.

Overall, the practicum helped me become a more independent researcher while giving me a broader understanding of how research organizations balance scientific rigor with strategic growth.

What was your main practicum project?

My practicum explored older adults in health and human services research. Older adults are a rapidly growing population but are underrepresented in certain areas of health and human services research. Child abuse and neglect prevention is one of my chief research interests, so I was excited to explore a potential research gap with my supervisor. My major project was conducting a special analysis of older adult perpetrators of child maltreatment using Child Protective Services data from the public-use National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) dataset available through the National Data Archive on Child Abuse and Neglect (NDACAN). The analysis examined key characteristics of over 11,000 perpetrators aged 60 and older to help inform prevention and intervention strategies for child maltreatment. The project was designed to highlight WRMA's analytical capabilities while also contributing to a relatively understudied area of child welfare research.

In addition, I supported WRMA’s study examining adult protective services (APS) caseworkers’ perspectives on artificial intelligence (AI) use in APS work processes with a brief literature review. The review highlights characteristics of the older adult population served by APS, illustrates AI’s potential and limitations as a tool within case management, and identifies a clear gap by noting limited research on AI application within APS settings, including input from caseworkers. Research insights from the study will be translated into guidance for APS programs.

Has the MPH program changed how you think about public health?

Seeing public health in action through my coursework and practicum has redefined my understanding of the field. Before pursuing my MPH, I primarily associated public health with disease prevention and viewed my research interests as more closely aligned with social work.

Through my coursework and practicum, I have learned how deeply public health is connected to social systems, including child welfare, education, housing, and community support. This broader perspective has helped me understand that improving health and well-being requires addressing the environments, policies, and systems that shape people's lives.

What do you value about studying at George Mason?

One of the things I appreciate most about George Mason is its interdisciplinary approach. It's one of the few universities in the area with dedicated Master of Social Work and MPH programs, which creates unique opportunities for collaboration.

Through the Health Equity and Social Justice concentration, I've been able to learn from faculty across both disciplines and see how they complement one another. This is especially important for child welfare work, which is inherently connected to both social work and public health. I believe this interdisciplinary foundation will prepare me to better address emerging challenges.

From capstone to clinical operations: MHA alumna builds a career in health care operations

Mary Cunningham — Fri, 29 May 2026 15:02:04 +0000

From capstone to clinical operations: MHA alumna builds a career in health care operations Mary Cunningham Fri, 05/29/2026 - 11:02

Key Takeaways

Translating Theory into Practice: Core MHA coursework, such as quality measurement, healthcare data analytics, and health law, directly translates into real-world administrative success within major health systems.
The Power of an Impactful Capstone: George Mason's capstone projects allow students to solve real-world operational challenges, such as telehealth resiliency for community clinics, creating a powerful portfolio piece that bridges the gap between graduate school and career entry.
Building a Foundation for Leadership: George Mason's MHA program provides graduates with the technical foundation, compliance knowledge, and data-driven decision-making skills required to confidently step into critical healthcare operations and patient access roles upon graduation.

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Master of Health Administration

Learn more about the bachelor of science in community health.

Poojya Bommannan, MHA ’25, is applying the operational and analytical skills she developed in the Master of Health Administration program at 91�� in her current role as a Patient Services Coordinator at Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation in Texas.

Poojya Bommannan, MHA ’25. Photo provided.

In her role, Bommannan manages front-end operations and revenue cycle workflows in a high-volume rehabilitation setting. Her responsibilities include coordinating patient access processes, managing insurance authorizations and documentation workflows, and supporting communication between clinicians and patients to help ensure seamless care transitions.

“I act as the operational hub,” Bommannan said. “I make sure the administrative side of healthcare never hinders the patient’s recovery journey.”

Bommannan pursued a degree in healthcare administration to better understand how healthcare systems operate behind the scenes.

“I realized early on that while clinicians save lives, administrators save the systems that allow clinicians to do their work,” she said.

Why George Mason’s MHA was the right program

She chose George Mason’s MHA program because of its proximity to Washington, D.C., and its strong reputation for combining healthcare management, health informatics, finance, and policy into a well-rounded curriculum. Throughout the program, Bommannan said the coursework challenged her to think critically about health care systems, leadership, and data-driven decision-making.

Several courses and faculty mentors helped shape her professional perspective. She credits HAP 750 Legal Issues, taught by Adjunct Professor Brian Santo, with strengthening her understanding of ethical decision-making and risk mitigation. She also noted that HAP 698 Quality Measurement, taught by Adjunct Professor Keri Christensen, changed the way she approaches healthcare data and process improvement.

One of the most impactful experiences during her time in the program was completing her capstone project on telehealth and patient-access innovation. Her project developed a telehealth policy and workflow for College of Public Health’s MAP Clinics to help ensure continuity of care during weather-related clinic closures. Her work on the project earned her the department’s Innovation in Patient Access Award in May 2025, in recognition of her capstone executive brief and presentation.

“The inspiration came from a need for operational resiliency,” Bommannan said.

Her capstone introduced a virtual workflow model using Zoom breakout rooms, interpreter integration for bilingual accessibility, nursing student intake support, and standardized patient coordination procedures. Bommannan also collaborated with clinical leadership to identify operational barriers and develop recommendations for integrating telehealth processes into existing clinic workflows.

Prepared for the health care workforce

Through capstone work, applied coursework, and real-world problem solving, the program prepared Bommannan to navigate the operational realities of modern healthcare systems. She said the experience taught her how to identify operational bottlenecks and anticipate challenges before they affect patient care.

“The biggest takeaway was understanding patient coordination and waiting room management logic,” Bommannan said. “I still apply those principles every day.”

Since graduating in May 2025, Bommannan said she is most proud of successfully transitioning from graduate school into a major health system environment while maintaining the professional standards emphasized throughout the program.

“I’ve taken pride in being a guardian of compliance within my clinic,” Bommannan said. “The MHA program gave me the confidence and technical foundation to advocate for operational excellence.”

As she continues to build her career, Bommannan hopes to move into healthcare consulting or leadership roles in health system operations focused on improving patient access and operational efficiency, while remaining connected to the George Mason community through alumni engagement and student mentorship.

Advice for MHA students

For current or prospective MHA students, she encourages them to approach internships, capstones, and early career opportunities with professionalism and integrity.

“Pick a capstone topic that solves a real problem,” Bommannan said. “It becomes one of the strongest portfolio pieces you’ll have.”

A future doctor finds a wider path with public health

Mary Cunningham — Mon, 11 May 2026 17:52:05 +0000

A future doctor finds a wider path with public health Mary Cunningham Mon, 05/11/2026 - 13:52

Emaan Emir, Bachelor of Science in Community Health graduate in May '26. Photo provided.

Emaan Amir started at George Mason on a straightforward trajectory toward medical school, studying forensic science. Within weeks, she knew she wanted to expand that path, turning to public health to better understand the forces that influence care.

“I realized early on that medicine extends far beyond the clinical setting,” she said. “So many structural factors affect health. I really appreciated how the College of Public Health helped me better understand how policy, access to care, and broader social factors shape health outcomes and patient experiences.”

Her early shift set the tone for her four years. An Honors College student, Amir majored in community health, pairing it with a clinical science concentration that keeps her on track for medical school while also honing experience in research and clinical settings.

She’s working toward a career that knits all these pieces together, in the clinic and beyond.

Public health, applied

One experience in particular was a turning point: her work with George Mason’s Learning Lab for Community Health through Mason and Partners Clinics' Empowered Communities.

The project began as a case challenge focused on chronic absenteeism in Virginia schools. Amir and her team were tasked with designing a solution with a hypothetical $1 million budget, presenting it to a panel of community leaders.

Their concept won.

“I think our team stood out because we approached the issue from a more holistic perspective,” Amir said. “We didn’t view physical health, mental health, and social support as separate issues.”

That project also led to an atypical opportunity for an undergraduate. Amir contacted her mentor in the case challenge, Lisa Gring-Pemble, associate professor in the Costello College of Business, about a graduate research assistant role connected to the Learning Lab, and Gring-Pemble welcomed Amir into the role.

Amir has worked on a case study examining Afghan refugees’ access to health care and services in Northern Virginia. The project identified gaps in insurance, housing, employment, and legal support, then translated that into a practical resource toolkit.

“One of the most meaningful aspects of the project was turning research into something practical and community-centered,” Emaan said. “We wanted the final product to be actionable and informed directly by the needs we identified through interviews with health providers and community organizations.”

Holistic prep for medical school

Alongside her pre-med requirements in biology and chemistry, Amir rounded out her public health education with classes that examine how social and historical forces shape medical care.

Outside the classroom, she’s gained hands-on experience through volunteering with pediatric patients and working as a medical assistant in urgent care settings.

The clinical work has affirmed what she sees in her research. “Seeing firsthand how financial and insurance limitations impact patients’ ability to access basic care has reinforced many of the inequities I studied in public health,” she said.

Looking ahead

This summer, Amir heads to the Mayo Clinic Summer Research Program, where she’ll study how voice-based artificial intelligence can be used to detect reflux disease.

Building on that line of interest, she next plans to complete the graduate certificate in AI and health care at George Mason while applying for medical schools.

The throughline is consistent: Amir is not choosing between public health and medicine, but blending the two.

“I hope to contribute not only through patient care, but also through research, policy, and innovation that improve health outcomes on a broader scale,” she said.

Key Takeaways

• Graduating senior Emaan Amir combined a pre-med track with public health to better understand how policy, access, and social conditions impact patient care.

• Through George Mason’s Learning Lab for Community Health, Amir worked on projects involving chronic absenteeism in Virginia schools and barriers facing Afghan refugees.

• Amir will join the Mayo Clinic to study artificial intelligence tools for detecting disease before pursuing graduate training in AI and health care and applying to medical school.

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bachelor of science in community health

Artificial Intelligence

From practicum to profession: MSW program skills helped this student turn her internship into a full-time role

Taylor Thomas — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 16:32:45 +0000

From practicum to profession: MSW program skills helped this student turn her internship into a full-time role Taylor Thomas Mon, 03/23/2026 - 12:32

91�� Master of Social Work (MSW) student Heather Apostol is the model of translating academic-experiential learning into professional skills, thanks to her practicum at True Ground Housing Partners. Her program implementation abilities led to her promotion from MSW Resident Services Intern to a full-time position as Resident Services Coordinator.

True Ground Housing Partners is one of the country’s leading nonprofit affordable housing developers, providing housing to thousands in the Washington, D.C., area. As an intern, Apostol supported residents across multiple affordable housing communities through case management, housing stabilization efforts, and community programming. After interning during the fall 2025 semester, the transition was seamless.

Heather Apostol. Photo provided.

Apostol now coordinates rental assistance efforts, collaborates with county agencies and property management, and connects residents to community-based resources. Additionally, she develops and facilitates programming focused on youth empowerment, financial literacy, culture and community, and more.

“I immediately felt connected with the work. I was very excited to be entered into the Resident Services Coordinator role,” said Apostol, MSW '26, who began her full-time position in January 2026. "Because I was already familiar with the residents, staff, and some of the operations, it felt like a natural next step and allowed me to continue building relationships while expanding my responsibilities."

Apostol’s supervisor, Dannette Lawrence, speaks highly of Apostol’s aptitude, ability to be transparent, reflective, and consistent during her internship.

“Heather demonstrated professionalism, empathy, and initiative early on, approaching her work with curiosity and accountability while building meaningful connections with residents and colleagues and thoughtfully applying her academic training to real-world practice. I am truly grateful to have had the opportunity to witness Heather’s growth from a social work student into a thoughtful, dedicated changemaker committed to serving the community as a Resident Services Coordinator at True Ground Housing,” said Lawrence, associate director of True Ground Housing.

The MSW at George Mason’s College of Public Health provides a strong foundation in trauma-informed care, ecological systems theory, policy analysis, and ethical decision-making. Apostol says these frameworks directly inform her daily practice in affordable housing settings.

“George Mason’s program emphasized evidence-based interventions and reflective practice, which strengthened my assessment skills, professional documentation, and confidence in interdisciplinary collaboration. I feel well-prepared to navigate both individual-level case management and systems-level advocacy,” said Apostol.

Influenced by culture, leading with care

Apostol cites her cultural heritage in shaping her commitment to serving others. As a Filipino social worker, the Filipino value of bayanihan—the spirit of community cooperation and helping one another—deeply influences her approach to supporting individuals and families.

“This cultural foundation reminds me that caring for others is not just a profession, but a shared responsibility rooted in empathy, humility, and service. Being Filipino allows me to bring cultural awareness, resilience, and a strong sense of community into my practice as a social worker,” said Apostol, who proudly shares she is the first in her family to receive a master’s degree.

Key Takeaways:

Master of Social Work student Heather Apostol’s practicum at True Ground Housing Partners has led to a full-time position as Resident Services Coordinator.
The Master of Social Work at George Mason’s College of Public Health prepares future professionals through evidence-based social work frameworks and experiential learning.
Apostol credits her Filipino heritage for instilling in her the values of compassion, humility, service, and community-building.

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master of social work

Practicum

experiential learning

Graduation

Congratulations to all 3MT winners!

Public health doctoral candidate’s dissertation awarded in university-wide Three Minute Thesis competition

Taylor Thomas — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 14:56:30 +0000

Public health doctoral candidate’s dissertation awarded in university-wide Three Minute Thesis competition Taylor Thomas Mon, 12/08/2025 - 09:56

Rooshna Mohsin, a PhD in public health student, was this year’s third-place winner in 91��’s annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition, a research communication competition for PhD candidates across the university. Competitors are judged on their ability to present the significance of their dissertation or thesis research using a single slide and within a strict three-minute time limit.

Rooshna Mohsin. Photo provided.

Mohsin offered a compelling presentation on dietary and social exposure to PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), commonly known as forever chemicals, among Hispanic children.

“I found that animal-based foods were associated with higher levels of some PFAS, while taking part in free/reduced school-based meal programs were associated with lower levels. When analyzing associations between PFAS and vitamin D, we found some PFAS were associated with higher levels of vitamin D, which may imply interference of PFAS in vitamin D metabolism in the body,” Mohsin explained of her research’s key findings.

Her full work is entitled Balancing the Risks: Dietary and Social Predictors of PFAS Exposure and Associated Health Outcomes in Hispanic Children.

Mohsin intends to build upon her findings next steps by evaluating the associations between PFAS and cardio metabolic measures (blood pressure and cholesterol) in Hispanic children, which are pediatric measures of heart disease later in life.

The competition took place on November 7, 2025, and was organized by the Graduate Division of the Provost’s Office. PhD students from the College of Education and Human Development, College of Engineering and Computing, College of Humanities and Social Science, College of Public Health, and College of Science participated. A panel of eight judges evaluated the presentations on a diverse range of topics, including the integration of Gen-AI in K-12 classrooms and novel approaches to combating bacteria and biofilms.

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PhD in Public Health

Practicum opens new doors to clinical research and data analysis

Mary Cunningham — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 14:55:18 +0000

Practicum opens new doors to clinical research and data analysis Mary Cunningham Mon, 07/14/2025 - 10:55

For 91�� master of public health student Olivia Thornton, completing a practicum at the Inova Fairfax Department of Community Health was an opportunity to step into the field and explore public health in action. Thornton is on track to graduate in Fall 2025.

Oliva Thornton presents her research at the College of Public Health's Celebration of Scholarship. Photo provided.

With responsibilities that included promoting participation in the Community Health Needs Assessment at local events, attending stakeholder meetings, and conducting qualitative data analysis on community feedback, Thornton was immersed in the essential work of community engagement from day one.

One of the most valuable takeaways? “I learned how crucial it is to engage directly with the community,” she said. “It’s one thing to study public health strategies in class—it's another to see how those strategies are shaped by real voices and lived experiences.”

The practicum also strengthened her confidence in two key areas: data collection and participant recruitment—both of which are foundational for Thornton’s intended career in clinical research or data analysis. “Before this experience, I wasn’t as confident in those skills. Now, I feel much more prepared to take them into my future work.”

Equally important was the chance to collaborate with diverse stakeholders and community organizations, gaining a better understanding of how partnerships help drive meaningful change in public health.

When asked what advice she would give to other students preparing for their internships, her message was simple: Keep an open mind. “Don’t overlook an opportunity just because it doesn’t perfectly match your original plan," she said. "Some of the most valuable experiences come from stepping outside of your comfort zone. Look for roles that challenge you and offer a variety of responsibilities—you’ll be surprised by how much you grow.”

Through meaningful engagement, new skills, and real-world collaboration, this practicum gave Thornton a clearer vision of where they’re headed—and the confidence to get there.

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Health administration major navigates the intersection of business and health

Taylor Thomas — Thu, 01 May 2025 15:13:54 +0000

Health administration major navigates the intersection of business and health Taylor Thomas Thu, 05/01/2025 - 11:13

Growing up, Claire Leonard got a glimpse of what health care could look like beyond hospital walls. Her aunt, a former nurse, had risen to a leadership role at UNC Health, managing systems and people instead of patients.

Claire Leonard. Photo provided.

“It showed me there are ways to make a difference without being on the clinical side,” says Leonard, now a senior at 91��’s College of Public Health.

Leonard describes her Bachelor of Science in Health Administration major as “kind of a business degree, but with a health focus,” with coursework spanning finance, strategic planning, and leadership, alongside a deep dive into U.S. health care systems. Through her studies—and electives in statistical tools R and SAS—she’s discovered a knack for working with health data.

“I realized I’m good on the data side, and working with coding tools,” she says. “It made me see that’s the direction I want to go next.”

Raised in Raleigh, North Carolina, Leonard chose George Mason for the strength of its health programs as well as its proximity to Washington, D.C. “I wanted to spread my wings and exist outside of where I grew up,” she says.

After graduating in December 2025, she plans to pursue a master’s in health informatics. “It’s about making sure technology like electronic health records systems work smoothly—and using their information to actually improve patient care,” she says.

Currently Leonard serves as a research assistant on two research projects focused on aging populations, helping College of Public Health faculty draft literature reviews and discussion sections. “Working on new research has only deepened my interest in pursuing graduate education and learning as much as I can to add value to health care systems and add perspective to areas of health care where change is needed,” she says.

Leonard also works for the Office of Student Creative Activities and Research (OSCAR), filming and editing videos that celebrate student research across campus. The experience helped her land an internship last summer with Riverside Health System’s philanthropic foundation, where she worked on social media strategy. Leonard also currently works part-time at a chiropractic office handling insurance and patient records.

“The jobs I’ve had, and the people I’ve met through them, have helped shape my experience,” Leonard says. “Each one has helped me understand another layer of how health care works.”

Learn more about George Mason’s BS in Health Administration program.

Learn more about George Mason’s MS in Health Informatics program.

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CPH - Health Administration and Policy

Health Administration