Montclair State University - Department of Public Health

05/19/2026

We are proud to highlight our Public Health Alumna, Emily Vignola, MPH!

Emily’s passion for public health began after taking a population health course that changed the way she viewed healthcare and health education. She was drawn to the broader impact public health can have on communities and ensuring people have access to accurate and reliable health information.

Today, she continues that work through digital media and community-focused education initiatives.

We are incredibly proud of our alumni who are making a difference and supporting their communities every day.

If you are an alum of the public health program at Montclair State University and wish to be part of our spotlight series, send an email to mailto:[email protected] for more information!

05/11/2026

05/05/2026

We are proud to highlight our Public Health Alumna, Julie Attys, MPH!

Julie’s interest in public health comes from her passion for understanding how larger systems shape health outcomes and impact communities differently. She was especially drawn to addressing inequities and being part of solutions that create more equitable and accessible care.

Her work continues to reflect that purpose, focusing on making a meaningful impact at both the community and systems level.

We are incredibly proud of our alumni who are making a difference and supporting their communities every day.

If you are an alum of the public health program at Montclair State University and wish to be part of our spotlight series, send an email to [email protected] for more information!

05/02/2026

And that’s a wrap! The four winning tickets from our National Public Health Week giveaway have been called and prizes have been claimed! A big congrats to our winners. Thanks to all who stopped by our table to chat with us and to enter the giveaway. See you all again next year at NPHW!

04/30/2026

Dr. Melanie Shefchik and Dr. Stephanie Navarro Silvera attended the Partnership for Maternal and Child Health for Northern NJ Annual Spring Soiree. This event celebrated the hard work and accomplishments of the organization and its partners in advancing the health of women and children and reducing inequities in adverse outcomes in maternal and child health.

04/30/2026

‼️‼️The Department of Public Health is very proud and honored to announce our 2026 Student Award winners! Job well done!!!! 👏👏
All recipients were nominated and selected by Public Health Faculty. Congratulations to these outstanding recipients!

📍Laura Hyppolite- Academic Excellence Award in Public Health (Grad)
📍Steven Vidal- Public Health Award (Undergrad)
📍Cecilia Downey- Public Health Leadership Award (Grad)
📍Kananelo Mokati- Dept. of Public Health Outstanding Achievement Award (Grad)
📍Cara Larkin- Academic Excellence Award in Public Health (Grad)
📍Sophia Aivazis- Academic Excellence Award in Public Health (Undergrad).

04/14/2026

We are proud to highlight our Public Health Alumna, Layal Helwani, MPH ’23, MCHES!

Layal’s journey into public health began with an initial interest in healthcare, but she quickly realized that public health offered a broader and more impactful way to help others. She became especially passionate about prevention and improving health outcomes at the community level, recognizing the importance of addressing issues before they begin.

Today, she continues that work by supporting and strengthening the health of her community through education and prevention efforts.

We are incredibly proud of our alumni who are making a difference and supporting their communities every day.

- If you are an alum of the public health program at Montclair State University and wish to be part of our spotlight series, send an email to [email protected] for more information!

04/10/2026

Garden State Equality Trans Resiliency Project Manager Aisling MacDonald visited MPH Students in Dr Lieberman's Health Policy and Politics class -- sharing insights, wisdom, and perspectives on advocacy, lobbying, and how public health initiatives require storytelling and relationship building to maximize our impact. .

04/09/2026

And here we are again!! Today is the last day that we will have our table in the student center for National Public Health Week (until 2pm today!) If you haven’t stopped by yet, don’t miss out on this chance to learn a little bit about how important and necessasary public health is! Remember, it’s always all around us, each and every day!
You will also have an opportunity to enter a Montclair swag giveaway and receive a very cool Montclair public health fidget spinner (while supplies last)!! Hope to see you there!

04/09/2026

Another great upcoming event:
Join LASO, in collaboration with PHAM and Daughta Speaks, for the "Her Voice, Our Future: Women in Public Health Panel." This session will feature various women professionals who will speak about their personal experiences, challenges, growth, and impact that they have encountered while working in the field of public health. Don't miss out on attending this engaging and powerful panelist event!

🗓 April 13
⏰ 6:30–9:30 PM
📍 STCT (Student Center) 411–414

04/09/2026

National Public Health Week continues! On Monday night, Dr. Birnbaum was a panelist at the "Leading with Care: Mental Health Through a Professional Lens" panelist event led by the Bonner Leader Program. The panelists, speaking from their professional and personal experiences, responded to questions about the intersection of leadership and mental health. A wonderful job by all! is Public Health