Kennedy Boyd has dedicated her career to youth health education and program planning, with a focus on sexual health and healthy relationships. Guided by her belief in the power of human connection to spark healthy behavior change, she has worked directly with young people while also facilitating adult training programs to strengthen community-wide health education efforts. Through her MPH program, she hopes to deepen her expertise in program development and curriculum facilitation. |
Danielle Bus discovered her passion for public health through the challenges of working as a nurse during the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting as a med-surg nurse, she quickly took on the critical role of managing a COVID-19 testing site and contact tracing program. These experiences highlighted the importance of clear communication and evidence-based strategies in protecting public health. Danielle is particularly driven by the need to address disparities in healthcare access and outcomes, and to ensure that underserved communities receive support. Now, as a Master’s in Public Health student, she aims to foster collaboration and create systemic change to enhance community wellbeing. |
Nicholas Gerard is one of our own Puget Sound alumni! He has long been interested in the many ways systems shape opportunity. His education at Puget Sound and work in database management have revealed how the structures in which we operate can both obscure and reveal the complex realities of human experience. His goal in the MPH program is to develop public health solutions that are evidence-based, equity-driven, and responsive to community needs. |
Briana Healy is focused on vector-borne diseases, infection-associated chronic illnesses (IACIs), and health systems, with an emphasis on One Health perspectives. Considering how chronic stressors (such as cumulative pathogenic burden and environmental changes) affect health over time, she seeks to optimize outcomes and healthspan for populations affected by complex conditions. Her interest in complex care models includes how health-system structures, data systems, and communication in clinical settings shape trust, diagnostic accuracy, institutional recognition, research prioritization, and access for patients. Briana draws on a prior design career and 20+ years of clinical experience as an acupuncturist, bringing a pattern-oriented analytical approach and a compassionate lens to public health work. |
| Deborah Platt joins the MPH program with a strong foundation in clinical research, having contributed to multiple Phase 2 and 3 studies across respiratory, infectious, and chronic disease conditions. With a B.S. in General Biology from UC San Diego and hands-on experience as both a medical assistant and research assistant, she brings a keen interest in data analysis, clinical outcomes, and evidence-based practice. She looks forward to strengthening her skills in population-level research and contributing to work that advances accessible, equitable healthcare. |
Mackenzie Searles’ interest with reproductive health and the human body stems from early exposure to healthcare and personal experiences. She’s constructed a hands-on approach to learning and teaching through experiential programs. In the MPH program, she seeks to design interventions that connect what she loves: education, equity, and access to health resources. |