DrPH Spotlights
STUDENTS
Tosan Tutse-Tonwe
Cohort: 2024
What is your title and the name of the organization where you currently work? Records Management, Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services
What initially attracted you to the DrPH program or what do you enjoy most about the UIC DrPH program? I truly enjoy that the program has assembled an exceptional group of professionals with a wealth of experiences.
What makes you proud to be part of the UIC DrPH Community? The commitment to improving public health practice
What was your first job? After college, Research Associate-Immunology and Assay Development
What is a fun fact about yourself? My children (5 and 8) and I make maple syrup every year.
Where did you grow up? Cleveland, OH
What are your hobbies or interests outside of school or work? Rugby Coach and Player, Club Track and Field Coach (Shot Put and Discus)
If you were given 20 minutes uninterrupted to speak about a public health or leadership topic, what would you talk about? Records and Information Management
What is the best advice you have ever been given? A lot of what you want in life is on the other side of fear.
What’s an accomplishment you are most proud of? Leading the vaccination sites of behalf my county’s COVID-19 public health emergency response. Over 120,000 people received vaccines via my sites.
What advice would you give to a new UIC/SPH/DrPH student? Embrace every opportunity to learn, grow, and improve. Discomfort is normal.
How do you live out your leadership principles in everyday life? Continuous Improvement as a way of life.
Lauren Dorsett
Cohort: 2021
What is your title and the name of the organization where you currently work? Assistant Director – Texas A&M University
What initially attracted you to the DrPH program, or what do you enjoy most about the UIC DrPH program? The focus on public health from a leadership perspective is what drew me to the program initially: how to lead, foster, and strengthen change.
Share a shout-out to a fellow DrPH alumnus, student, faculty, or staff member: Shout out to Glenn, Susan, and Kelly (The OGs!) – that first learning community set the stage for an amazing group of colleagues!
What is the best thing you ever ate? Chocolate Strawberry Tart from a little restaurant in College Station. It is by far my FAVORITE dessert, and I cried when they closed down. BUT on Wednesdays, you can get the tart at a sister restaurant, if you’re one of the lucky few who get one before they sell out!
What was your first job? A Subway Sandwich Artist!
Where have your work travels and personal interests intersected? Whenever I go to a conference where there is a Flute Center location, I always stop by to pick up a new piece of music!
What are your hobbies or interests outside of school or work? I have been playing flute/piccolo for 26 years.
If you were given 20 minutes uninterrupted to speak about a public health or leadership topic, what would you talk about? how important a settings approach to health promotion can broaden the scope of wellbeing on a college campus
What’s an accomplishment you are most proud of? I am so proud of my journey in this program. I have been challenged, and while it certainly has been one of the most difficult journeys, it has by far been the most impactful.
What advice would you give to a new student at UIC/SPH/DrPH? View every assignment, lecture, discussion post, and writing as the preamble to your dissertation. Every second of the program is useful if you go in with the mindset that you can learn and grow along the way.
FACULTY
Victory Osezua
What is your title and the name of the organization where you currently work?
Assistant Professor, Gwynedd Mercy University
What initially attracted you to the DrPH program or what do you enjoy most about the UIC DrPH program?
What drew me to the program was its focus on antiracism and equity. I was—and still am—excited to find a community doing work I once thought was only a dream. I truly appreciate the camaraderie and empathy shared by everyone in the program.
Share a shout-out to a fellow DrPH alumnus, student, faculty, or staff member
I want to give a shout-out to Dr. Elizabeth Jarpe-Raptner. Dr. EJR is that girl! I admire the way she leads with empathy and the passion she brings to teaching, mentoring, and advocacy.
What makes you proud to be part of the UIC DrPH Community?
I am very proud to be a part of a community that’s always thinking of ways to make positive impacts in our communities, questioning the status quo. The UIC DrPH community fosters a space where we unlearn and relearn ways to think about equity, embracing transformative change through systematic reflection. Honestly, this community restores my hope in humanity, especially during times when it feels like the world has lost its way.
Where have your work travels and personal interests intersected?
I was in Louisville, Kentucky, during a heroin epidemic that led to a high incidence of HIV and Hepatitis C. My work focused on public health responses to the crisis through supporting communities and building partnerships with local organizations. While I was there, I learned more about the needs of urban/rural communities in Kentucky and southern Indiana. I also had the chance to advocate with policymakers for harm reduction strategies. This experience reminded me why I do public health work—to help communities achieve equitable health outcomes and make sure no one is left behind.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I was left-handed at birth, but am now right-handed.
What advice would you give to a new UIC/SPH/DrPH student?
You are exactly where you’re meant to be—you belong here, and this community is here to support you. There may be moments when you question your place or purpose for being here, but always remember: you are here for a reason.
Tiosha Bailey
Cohort
DrPH Alumni- Cohort 2015, Graduation 2019
What is your title and the name of the organization where you currently work?
Principal Consultant, T. Bailey Consulting Firm and Adjunct Faculty at UIC SPH
What initially attracted you to the DrPH program or what do you enjoy most about the UIC DrPH program?
I went to SPH for my MPH and loved the cohort model and knew after graduating that I would return for my DrPH. I found the faculty to be highly knowledgeable and personable; my cohort mates felt like family from day one.
Share a shout-out to a fellow DrPH alumnus, student, faculty, or staff member
Dr. Tinesha Banks, Dr. Cindy Bigley, and Dr. Amanda McWhorter! Shout out to all of the 2015 cohort, Sophie, and current faculty.
What makes you proud to be part of the UIC DrPH Community?
I am proud to be surrounded by the most dedicated and profoundly talented individuals I have ever had the opportunity to connect with.
What was your first job?
Cashier at McDonalds, all you can eat fries and cheese danishes
Where did you grow up?
Oak Park, IL
What are your hobbies or interests outside of school or work?
Reading, crocheting (dog sweaters, hats, gloves, and slippers to name a few), and traveling
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
My job is figure out what gift(s) I possess and then share with the world