Peer Support Team
Now serving students virtually!
The Peer Support Team members are advanced MPH students who are dedicated to helping their fellow students succeed academically. The team offers individual and group sessions to help students understand public health concepts and skills, and to assist with class assignments in a relaxed and supportive environment. Services are free of charge and available to all undergraduate and masters-level Public Health students, regardless of skill level or comfort with the material. From understanding basic content to more advanced support, visiting the Peer Support Team is a great way to increase your comfort and success in your academic work.
The Peer Support Team is comprised of 3 members: a Writing Specialist and two Quantitative Methods Specialists. The Writing Specialist provides assistance with all aspects of written assignments, including brainstorming paper topics, thesis development, paper organization, proofreading and citations. The Quantitative Methods Specialists review basic concepts and methods, review homework assignments, conduct exam review sessions, provide SAS assistance, and more. All three Specialists work with one another and in consultation with course instructors, TAs and ODI staff to ensure that students at SPH have the support they need to succeed in their coursework. Schedule an appointment with a member of the Peer Support Team today!
Peer Support Team Rules
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About the rules
- Be on time
- Try logging into video platforms ahead of time to address technical issues
- If you schedule a meeting and find yourself running late, please contact the person you scheduled a meeting with to let them know that you are running late
- If you are more than 15 minutes late, your appointment will be automatically canceled and your time slot will be given to another student
- Students are limited to two 45 minute scheduled Peer Support sessions per week. Feel free to reach out via email if you foresee needing further support
- Be prepared
- To makes best use of time, please come prepared with assignment prompts and drafted work before your session
- For Quantitative sessions, we recommend coming prepared with specific questions and sharing with the specialist what you have already tried
Please Note:
- The Peer Support Team strives to create an accessible and respectful environment; those who disrupt that environment will be asked to leave
- If you miss more than 3 scheduled sessions without advanced notice, your access to the Peer Support Team could be temporarily suspended. Please make sure to always contact the Peer Support Team when you foresee missing an appointment
- Be on time
Quantitative Methods Specialist
Maria Dionicio Bernabe, MPH Candidate
Epidemiology
Maria Dionicio Bernabe is a second year MPH student in Epidemiology. Her research interests are in vaccine-preventable diseases, STIs, and cancer epidemiology. Maria graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a B.S. in Biology with a minor in Psychology. Presently, she is interning with the Chicago Department of Public Health within the Division of HIV/STI. Additionally, she is a Research Assistant within the School of Public Health. Maria currently holds the position of APHA Liaison of the Public Health Student Association at the School of Public Health. She is excited to help students succeed in their quantitative course.
Quantitative Methods Specialist
Chibuzor Abasilim, PhD Candidate
Epidemiology/Biostatistics
Chibuzor Abasilim is a Doctoral student in the Epidemiology/Biostatistics Division. He holds a Master of Public Health degree from the UIC School of Public Health and a Physical Therapy degree from Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria. Over the past few months, Chibuzor has been working as an Injury Prevention Epidemiologist with the Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council to provide injury surveillance, technical assistance and implement interventions for tribal communities in Montana and Wyoming. Chibuzor’s research interests cover environmental and chronic disease epidemiology. Chibuzor looks forward to working with incoming MPH students to help them better understand the core of Epidemiology and Biostatistics. He looks forward to learning from them as well.
Writing Specialist
Anna Ahn, MPH & MBA Candidate
Health Policy and Administration
Anna Ahn is a second year MPH Health Policy and Administration student and is also a candidate for a Masters in Business Administration. Academically, she is interested in understanding and interpreting health inequities through social theories. At the School of Public Health, Anna’s is learning ways to integrate on the ground voices into strategic planning and decision making processes. Presently, Anna is an Infection Control Practitioner at Sinai Health System, where she participates in the surveillance and reporting of infectious disease. As a Care Coordinator at Lawndale Christian Health Center, Anna is involved in the follow of care for ER discharge patients and internal performance assessment of Better Birth Outcomes, a prenatal care program. Anna is also an intern at the Field Museum where she participates in Chicago Green Equity and the Roots & Routes initiative. Anna is the Writing Specialist for the Peer Support Team with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.