Philosophy Statement

Brooke Burkhart
During my first semester at the University of North Florida I was unsure of what course
of study I should pursue. I determined emergency medicine was my passion when I witnessed
someone being airlifted via trauma one helicopter following a traumatic accident. I knew from
that moment on I wanted to devote my life to helping others. The following summer I was
accepted into an Emergency Medical Technician Program and completed that program while
also attending the University of North Florida. After becoming an EMT I was eager to further
my education in healthcare. Now as a public health student and future healthcare professional my
ultimate goal is to serve the traumatically injured population. I want to improve the outcome of
traumatic injuries and reduce the risk of being involved in a traumatic accident. This includes
events such as a car accident, occupational injury or traumatic household injury. A positive way
to reduce risk could be done by offering informative sessions on proper helmet fittings for
motorcycle drivers, how to prevent slip and fall injuries in the workplace and injuries that are
common in household areas such as bathrooms and stairs. Majoring in public health has prepared
me for success in any realm of healthcare whether it involves research, clinical treatment, or
prevention.
Public health is the most beneficial degree to earn in my opinion. The program has taught
me that changing societys health and preventing injuries begins with properly educating our
community. I recognize that public health has offered me substantial knowledge, experience and
background to pursue any aspect of healthcare. Planning programs, evaluating populations,
assessing population needs, and implementing beneficial programs will offer me the public
health background needed to help our community in crucial health areas. I have always felt as if I
had a duty to help people in their most critical time. In Article 2 of the Code of Ethics for The
Health Education Profession it talks about having a responsibility to the profession. It states,
Health educators are responsible for their professional behavior, for the reputation of their
profession, and for promoting ethical conduct among other colleagues. I had a responsibility to
maintain a professional demeanor even in times of tragedy while working as an EMT. I am
confident that my background in emergency medicine and public health will provide me a wellrounded perspective on societys health needs.
My experiences in the healthcare field include my emergency medical training. The EMT
program entailed clinical work at UF Health in Jacksonville, Florida with time spent in the
emergency department, recess department, trauma one, intensive care unit, pediatric intensive
care unit and psychiatric unit. I also completed hours on a rescue unit with the Jacksonville Fire
and Rescue Department. I plan on further developing my experience in public health by joining
the honors group Eta Sigma Gamma, on campus. Currently, I am setting up shadowing sessions
with a local Physicians Assistant here in Jacksonville, Florida. After I complete my degree in
public health I plan on attending Physicians Assistant School. My ultimate goal is to help people
in the emergency department and eventually progress into epidemiologic research.