The Wisconsin Population Health Service Fellowship

2024-2026 cohort

Kayla is from Waukee, IA. She received her B.S. in Community Health Education with a minor in Business Administration from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and recently received her Master of Public Health Degree with a concentration in Policy from the University of Iowa. During her graduate career, she had the opportunity to improve her policy analysis skills as a graduate research assistant for the Rural Policy Research Institute, where she wrote comment letters to federal agencies in response to proposed rules impacting rural health. She also gained community engagement and health equity experience while working with Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield as a community health research intern. During her applied practice experience with the Iowa Public Health Association, she wrote policy briefs and engaged in public health advocacy. Kayla is passionate about improving population health through systemic change and upstream initiatives. She aims to become a successful health equity advocate by addressing the social determinants of health and using evidence-based policy. In her free time, she enjoys swimming, hiking, reading, and watching Iowa Hawkeye sports. 

Kayla will complete her fellowship with Clean Wisconsin.

Berrit earned a Master of Public Health and Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Washington University in St. Louis. Her experience includes a practicum in public health with the Oasis Institute in St. Louis, with projects focused on falls prevention among older adults.  She has worked as an occupational therapist since 2018, providing direct patient care across a variety of clinical settings in Washington, Idaho, and Wisconsin. Berrit’s professional interests include improving health equity and promoting greater healthcare access. She is excited to join the public health workforce in Wisconsin to further explore these interests in the Milwaukee community. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, cooking, crafting, and exploring the Milwaukee area.

Berrit will be placed with the Milwaukee Health Department and with Milwaukee Health Care Partnership.

Joanna is from Madison, WI. She received a Bachelor’s of Individualized Studies in Life Sciences, Psychology, and Family Social Science from the University of Minnesota- Twin Cities. She was the first student at the U of M to ever create and graduate with that degree. Upon graduation, Joanna served with the HealthCorps branch of AmeriCorps at a free clinic in Janesville, WI. Post-AmeriCorps, she attended and recently graduated from the University of Wisconsin- Madison with a Master of Public Health degree. Joanna also received a certificate in Prevention and Intervention Science and was a member of the Interprofessional Practice and Education Path of Distinction. During her graduate time, Joanna was a project assistant with the UW-Madison Prevention Research Center. At the PRC, Joanna strengthened her skills related to grant writing, community engagement, and strategic planning. Joanna also completed her practicum with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services Department of Maternal and Child Health wherein she helped to strengthen emergency preparedness and response efforts for Wisconsin’s MCH populations.

Joanna is passionate about the use of an interdisciplinary, cross-sectoral lens to broaden public health reach, effectiveness, and equity. Although her main area of focus is maternal and child health, she is also passionate about mitigating the physiological effects of environmental health threats. In her free time, Joanna likes to bake, read, hike, and get out on the water.

Joanna will be placed with Public Health Madison Dane County in their Maternal and Child Health section.

Katherine is from Romeoville, Illinois. She received a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from the University of South Carolina. After completing her honors college senior thesis on the impacts of COVID-19 on social amenities in assisted living facilities, Katherine decided to pursue a Master of Public Health from Emory University with a concentration in epidemiology. Throughout her education, Katherine developed a deep interest for addressing health disparities. She completed a certificate in social determinants of health during her MPH, and worked in the Healthy Mind, Healthy Heart lab at the Emory School of Medicine. There, she served as an assistant study coordinator for multiple studies aimed at preventing cognitive decline among older adults. Katherine has a deep desire to promote health equity among marginalized and underserved communities, particularly those experiencing homelessness. During her free time, Katherine likes reading and going on walks with her cat, Louie.

Katherine will be placed with Eau Claire City-County Health Department.

Yosef is from Milwaukee, WI. He received a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and received his Master of Public Health with a concentration in Public Health Policy from UW-Milwaukee's Joseph J. Zilber College of Public Health. He is the first student to graduate from the Accelerated Master’s program at Zilber College in the Public Health Policy track. Yosef interned with the City of Wauwatosa Health Department during his field experience, where he researched and designed policy for the licensing and regulation of short-term rentals. For his capstone, he contributed to the formation of the City of Wauwatosa’s comprehensive plan with an in-depth policy analysis of the equity and health implications of the plan. Yosef is interested in continuing to learn about how to craft and implement policy to improve health equity for large populations. In his spare time, Yosef enjoys cooking, long bicycle rides, and exploring the local public parks.   

Yosef will be placed with the Milwaukee Health Department.

Brianna grew up in Northern Wisconsin. They received their Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition & Dietetics with a certificate in Global Health from UW-Madison which sparked their interest in improving food systems. After getting her undergraduate degree, Brianna did a year as an AmeriCorps Service Member at Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers in Milwaukee, WI. As an AmeriCorps member, Brianna conducted community engagement for health promotion for residents of Milwaukee’s Southside community. She lead community education classes, coordinated walking clubs, and worked with a group of community leaders training to promote healthy lifestyles in their community. Brianna then received their MPH in Public Health Policy and Administration at UW-Milwaukee’s Zilber School of Public Health. Her coursework and research focused on improving health equity at the systems level, policymaking, program planning, and community assessment, specifically aimed at improving access to nutritious food. Their passions lie in ensuring healthy food for all, and she is excited to be working toward that in her home state of Wisconsin. In her spare time, Brianna enjoys nature walks, deep diving into their favorite music, cooking with loved ones, and working toward her black belt in martial arts.

Brianna will be placed with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services - Chronic Disease Prevention Program.