Many public policy and health policy certificate students choose offerings in the La Follette School to complement their medical degrees, gaining a greater understanding of the healthcare system and the factors that shape health outcomes. These two La Follette alumni have used skills gained in the certificate programs in their health professional training—as one prepares for medical school and the other transitions to a career in health systems management.
Lauren Gadek
Lauren Gadek pursued a certificate in health policy, which she earned in 2023 along with a bachelor’s degree in biology, because she wanted to broaden her perspective as a student planning to pursue medical school. “I was interested in learning more about the systems in place that disadvantage certain populations, the ways we can restructure our healthcare system to better promote population health, and how my future work as a physician will fit into the greater U.S. healthcare system,” Gadek says. She feels that the system-based approach taught by the La Follette School has helped her significantly in her preparation for medical school. “It has helped me think critically about how to care for disadvantaged populations, how to improve the healthcare system, and how to identify shortcomings in our current healthcare models, ” she says. “It has made me more cognizant of the upstream factors that impact individual health and has taught me how health policies can interact with these factors.”
Gadek’s most memorable La Follette experience was the presentation of her health policy analysis report at the Wisconsin State Capitol for the Workshop in Health Policy. “It was incredible to be in the Capitol building and to be given the opportunity to present various policy options to legislators on their chosen topics,” she says. “It was amazing to receive critique and commentary from these professionals and receive an inside look into Wisconsin’s health policy discourse.”
During a gap year before medical school, Gadek is currently working as a research technologist in a reproductive biology lab at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. Her work involves exploring the ovarian microenvironment, and she works closely with the Fertility and Hormone Preservation and Restoration Program at Lurie Children’s. The lab’s work combines clinical and basic science, exploring various topics relating to fertility and hormone function in hopes of creating a bioengineered ovary. “It is incredibly powerful to see the impact of this basic research as it is translated back to patient care at Lurie Children’s,” she says.
Gadek is primarily interested in pediatrics but is excited to explore a wide variety of topics as she begins medical school in the 2024-25 academic year.
Myesha Williams
Myesha Williams was drawn to health policy in hopes of addressing some of the inefficiencies and injustices that she sees in the healthcare system. After completing her bachelor’s degree in global health with a public policy certificate, Williams is now pursuing a master’s degree in health systems management at Rush University in Chicago to dive deeper into health policy. Alongside her studies she works as an administrative project assistant, which allows her to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world health challenges. “I am particularly interested in exploring innovative strategies to improve healthcare delivery, enhance patient experience, and promote health equity within diverse communities,” she says. Williams says that the skills she acquired at the La Follette School have been invaluable in her career transition into health systems management.
“During my time at La Follette, I gained a better understanding of the implications of health policy on access, equity, and quality of care,” Williams says. “I believe my time in the program provided me with the necessary tools and knowledge to contribute to the healthcare field and address pressing public health challenges.”
Williams’ favorite part about working in the health professional training field is the opportunity to make a tangible impact on healthcare systems and the lives of individuals. In the future, she envisions herself playing a pivotal role in shaping policies and practices that promote the well-being of individuals and communities.
– Story by Clare Brogan