Jennifer Zhang (she/her) is an MPH student at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health studying Healthcare Management. She has experience working in a large, integrated health system and with academic, non-profit, and pharmaceutical institutions. In her future career, she hopes to use research and cross-sectoral collaboration to eliminate health inequities through targeting social determinants of health.

We asked Jennifer:

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself. 

I am currently pursuing a Master’s of Public Health in Health Management at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. I am interested in working in community health and combatting health disparities and inequities. Before coming back to school, I worked in healthcare research on improving community health through emergency medicine and services. In my free time, I enjoy musical activities, creating art, playing video games, and consuming sweet treats. 

2. What is one thing you are taking away from your time as a summer scholar at LZC? 

One thing I am taking away from my time as a summer scholar at LZC is that public health problems will not be solved by just public health-trained professionals. Cross-sectoral approaches are so important and necessary to come up with holistic and sustainable solutions to public health crises. 

3. Based on the research you did this summer, what do you want Massachusetts and national leaders (advocates, policymakers, researchers, and clinicians) to know about immigrant health? 

Based on the research I did this summer, I want Mass and national leaders to know that while immigrants may seem to have unique mental health needs from the existing in population, their needs simply reflect the already-diverse population that’s established here. Through improving mental health policy, structure, and diversity, we can improve the mental well-being of everyone in the population, not just immigrants. 

4. What does “impact” look like to you, and how can LZC increase our impact?    

To me, “impact” looks like the inspiring and uplifting quotes that I see from those that we’re helping—to me, that is proof that we are changing lives for the better. LZC can improve our impact by working more with those we want to impact, continuing to uplift and highlight the voices of those that we aim to serve, and letting the public and policymakers know that what we are doing matters.   One great example I can think of is the inspiring Consumer Advisory Board that the Boston Healthcare for the Homeless Program has.