Student Spotlight: Sachi Takeuchi

Meet Sachi Takeuchi

• Degree Program: MSPH
• Area of Interest: Child and Adolescent Health
• Hometown: Wakayama, Japan
• Previous Degrees Earned: BSN and MSN from Osaka University, Japan
• Fun fact:  I enjoy playing the clarinet and piano

What sparked your interest in public health?
My interest in public health was sparked by witnessing, both as a clinician and a researcher, the inadequacies of the health system in supporting children’s abilities and potential. I believe that public health offers me the opportunity to engage directly in strengthening the health system to support children’s health and well-being across their life course, leveraging their abilities and potential.

I began my career as a registered nurse in the Pediatric Surgery Unit at Osaka University Hospital. There, I was deeply moved by the abilities and potential within children who dramatically improved both physically and developmentally shortly after undergoing major surgeries, including brain, heart, organ transplant, and general pediatric surgeries. At the same time, I also witnessed the disparities within the health system and the fragmented care they received. Later, as a public health nurse and school nurse, I worked with children and families in homes, schools, and clinics, where I observed similar phenomena. The existing health system was often inadequate in supporting them across their life course.

Why did you choose Bloomberg School of Public Health?
I chose Bloomberg School because it is ranked number one in the world for public health programs. 

What led you to join the Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health?
I chose the Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health for its focus on the life course perspective, which deeply fascinates me. I aim to integrate this perspective into my professional endeavors. 

What is one experience in PFRH that stands out as a favorite or most memorable? 
If I had to choose one, it would be the course "Life Course Perspectives on Health" taught by Dr. Cynthia S. Minkovitz and Dr. M. E. Hughes. Dr. Minkovitz covered the early childhood stage, Dr. Hughes covered the rationale and foundations of the life course perspective on health, and other topics were taught by experts in each field. I loved all the language used in the course and have cited it numerous times as a reference in subsequent coursework. Additionally, this course sparked a strong curiosity in me about the high-quality early childhood programs, early investments in maternal and child health, structures of opportunity that nations present, preventive medicine, and disease epidemiology. It deepened my interest in understanding which interventions during early childhood promote health outcomes and developmental results, what factors of early childhood interventions function effectively when children face diseases later in life, what structures of opportunity can maintain the benefits of early childhood investments or reverse poor health trajectories, and how to pursue equity within all these areas. These are topics I wish to pursue further in my future career.

Tell us about your field placement.
I’m working on a scoping review for the Jackie Walorski Center for Evidence-Based Case Management in the Early Childhood Services Research Program. My first year in the MSPH program emphasized the importance of high-quality early childhood programs and home visiting services. The various evidence-based early childhood home visiting service delivery models at the federal level, along with the precision research and evaluation that have been ongoing for over ten years, are integral to what I wish to learn more about here. Additionally, the PI, Dr. Allison West, holds an MSW, and this is my first time working with a scholar with an MSW in research. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with experts in life course perspectives, early childhood, and home visiting, to learn from them, and to grow. 

What do you hope to do or accomplish after graduation?
My overall objective is to propose equitable recommendations to strengthen health systems based on a better understanding of child development, health, and pathophysiology. I plan to pursue a PhD to improve health systems for maternal, infant, early childhood, and young people. In the long term, I want to become a faculty member holding a consultancy position at the United Nations, in order to contribute to body of knowledge, the development of future experts and leaders, and the reform of global guidelines, thereby promoting health equity and well-being for children and their families across all levels.

What are some of your favorite places or aspects of living in Baltimore?
There are several places that add a touch of richness to daily life. For example, I love waterfront cafés, delicious and charming French patisseries, and spaces where I can play the piano or clarinet.

What advice do you have for prospective students interested in joining the PFRH community? 
I recommend attending the PFRH Wednesday seminars, where you can gain valuable insights from lectures delivered by prominent leaders of both domestic and international projects and institutions.