Throughout my youth the military has been an ever growing part of my life and future.

I grew up
in a military family were it was not just my mother and my father but extended family, so at an
early age I experienced the effects of military healthcare. My family members would enlist with
perfect health but separated with a disability rating. As I matured and began to understand the
cause and effect of the events that led to a change in health, the desire to make a difference
within the military healthcare system originated.
As of current my focus has been placed on military and veteran healthcare and the ever growing
concern of quality. As a Health Administration major I plan to climb the professional ladder to
reach a point to were my impact will effect not just a mere few but will hopefully enhance the
overall health of the military and veteran community.
My interest in public health spawned when I began to realize there is more to health than
medication and doctor visits. Public health protects the health of individuals and communities by
encouraging preventative care and establishing programs to promote wellness. Implementing
public health concepts within the administrative aspect will allow for more all-encompassing
programs.
My main interest lies with community relations which incorporates aspects from both health
administration and public health to aid in a communitys needs. A hospitals community relations
department promotes communications between the medical facility and the neighboring
community. The purpose of the department is to create and support initiatives that improve the
well-being of the community. The program concepts developed can range from preventative care
measures, such as vaccination or sun protection, to employing safety measures to protect the
individuals within the community. By having an understanding of public health theories I will be
able to develop appropriate health incentive concepts for the community and have the
administrative knowledge to implement the programs. Health Administration and Public Health
degrees overlap within certain areas of the curriculum yet are diverse in set subject parts
allowing for a well-rounded field of knowledge.
Beginning this summer I will be starting my program internship at Flagler Hospital in St.
Augustine, Florida. I will be working in the Oncology support and education center while taking
excerpts from the department to work in other divisions of the hospital that interrelate with my
assigned department, such as community relations and human resources. This internship is under
the Health Administration field but I chose an internship that allowed me to work within
departments that include areas of public health to allow myself to have a more inclusive
experience. I believe this decision to incorporate my two interests into one internship will give
me an idea of what direction I want to take in the professional world.
My early career goals as of now are focused on the military. Becoming an Officer in the United
States Air Force has been an ever-growing desire as a career path. I want to be able to take the
knowledge I have gained through my degree and internship experience and apply it to serve our
country. I am also planning on pursing my Masters degree shortly after the completion of my
Bachelors degree. Areas I am considering focusing on for my upper graduate degree include
programs such as public and community relations, public health, and health administration.