Student Spotlight: Yi-Hsuan Lin

Meet Yi-Hsuan Lin 

• Degree Program: Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH)
• Area of Interest: Maternal, fetal, and perinatal health
• Program Entry year: 2023
• Hometown: Taiwan
• Previous Degree(s) Earned: Bachelor’s degree in public health, Taipei Medical University
• Fun fact: Despite my deep interest in the field of science, my parents are both artists: My mom is a painter, and my father is a photographer. Although they pursued a completely different path from mine, they have amazingly supportive parents.

What sparked your interest in public health?
My interest in public health was initially sparked by my broad interest in the medical field and deepened by my volunteering experience in college: Promoting health literacy among children in remote areas and contributing to local health promotion regulations reform showed me the power of public health initiatives. This experience made me appreciate the critical role of public health in improving people’s well-being and inspired me to pursue it as a career.

Why did you choose Bloomberg School of Public Health?
I chose the Bloomberg School because of its strong emphasis on protecting health and saving lives, which resonates deeply with my values and aspirations. Additionally, my program offers comprehensive courses on health policies, health promotion strategies, statistical methods, and various other subjects that I believe are crucial for my professional development. The thesis and field placement opportunities in our program provide hands-on experience and enhance my research capabilities, which are essential for equipping me to achieve my goal of improving maternal and fetal health.

What led you to join the Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health?
Besides my interest in this field, my experience working in a maternal and child health laboratory during college, where I worked closely with pregnant women in hospitals, significantly motivated me. Witnessing the mental and physical impacts of preeclampsia on pregnant women ignited my passion for studying how diseases and risk factors affect women's mental and physical health, and for finding ways to prevent illness in its early stages. 

I particularly appreciate the relatively smaller class sizes, which create an environment where students can form strong connections with both professors and classmates. 

What is one experience in PFRH that stands out as a favorite or most memorable? 
Our department's professors are incredibly skilled and are leading experts in their fields. I particularly appreciate the relatively smaller class sizes, which create an environment where students can form strong connections with both professors and classmates. This fosters a special atmosphere for learning and bonding. Additionally, our department organizes outings like attending baseball games, which is super cool. Even though I'm not a baseball fan, watching a game and having a pre-game gathering with classmates and faculty is absolutely an amazing experience.

Tell us about your field placement.
My field placement is with The Women's Fund Miami-Dade. My responsibilities include enhancing the accessibility and functionality of the service organization database, supporting advocacy efforts, and conducting targeted research on policies affecting women's well-being. Through these experiences, I develop practical skills in advocacy, policy analysis, and database management. I deeply believe that our efforts are making significant differences in promoting economic mobility, health and well-being, leadership, and freedom from violence.

What do you hope to do or accomplish after graduation?
I am greatly impressed by the public health environment in the United States, where many small issues like period poverty are addressed by dedicated individuals and organizations. Although maternal and child health may not appear to be the most urgent public health crisis, many voices from underserved areas need help but are not heard. After graduation, I hope to continue contributing to this field, striving to improve people's physical and mental health and giving back to society: “Protecting Health, Saving Lives—Millions at a Time.”