Allenie Andrea Arnedo, MPH
As an international student, Allenie Andrea Arnedo had become familiar with many health systems around the world, including those in Thailand, the Philippines, and the United States. This led to an interest in pharmaceutical manufacturing, and she decided to get an undergraduate degree in Biochemistry and Data Analytics. Several years later, she would enroll in the Master of Public Health (MPH) program at the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where, for her applied practicum experience, she had the opportunity to become a Global Health Fellow.
In June 2024, Ms. Arnedo received an MPH degree in Global Health. In the following Q&A, she reveals how her experience at Mount Sinai is helping to shape her career.
Why an MPH?
When the COVID-19 pandemic occurred, it shed light on systemic barriers for equitable vaccine access. As I saw family and friends had difficulty obtaining vaccines across Asia, I felt a strong desire to understand and uncover the underlying reasons why. My interests in universal health coverage and access to medicines drew me to the field of public health.
Being named a Global Health Fellow sounds exciting. What did that involve?
This was an opportunity provided to us through the Global Health Summer program at Icahn Mount Sinai. For my placement, I assisted with a grant proposal at NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, which is part of the nation’s largest municipal health care delivery system. With my mentor, Carlos Salama, MD, Professor of Medicine, and the Immigrant Health Working Group, the grant was successfully awarded. This experience exposed me to stakeholder engagement with community-based organizations and advocacy groups.
What were some of your other accomplishments?
I had the honor of being inducted into the Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health and receiving a commencement award for Excellence in Public Health Leadership and Service. I am so grateful to Public Health leadership, and look forward to growing more as a global health professional.
Why Mount Sinai?
When I was initially searching for public health programs, I felt drawn to the Mount Sinai’s world-class researchers, personalized mentorship, and welcoming students. The variety of tracks offered for my program was valuable for me because I was just embarking on my career path in public health.
The diversity of the student body is also one of the greatest assets of Icahn Mount Sinai as they represent a variety of interests, cultures, issues, and more. During my time at Mount Sinai, I was able to serve as a member of an E-board for the New York State Science Technology and Policy group and shadow the Mount Sinai Human Rights Program.
What’s next?
I am looking for roles in community capacity building, community health research, health policy, and health care financing. My next steps are to embrace the realm of possibilities that a public health degree has to offer across interdisciplinary sectors and fields.
I am grateful to have had my perspective on the role of policy in health systems, barriers to care, and equitable health access broadened by so many amazing faculty and mentors. They include: Dr Salama, who is also Director of Global Health at NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst; Elizabeth K. Singer, MD, MPH, Director of the Mount Sinai Human Rights Program; Arthur A. Gianelli, FACHE, Chief Transformation Officer for the Mount Sinai Health System; Alexander Preker, MD, PhD, Executive Scholar at Icahn Mount Sinai; and Nils Hennig, MD, PhD, MPH, Director of the MPH program.
What are your career goals?
I want to contribute to inclusive and accessible research and facilitate community partnerships by working as a researcher or program assistant at a think tank, research institute, or human rights organization. As I progress in my career, I hope to continue to be guided by the values I hold closely to help with the expansion of health care access.