DrPH student Sika Dedo says she has applied the knowledge, skills and tools gained from the program in her work with local and global colleagues and stakeholders as they respond to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Name: Sika Dedo
Hometown: Lomé, Togo (West Africa) and Shaker Heights, Ohio
Undergraduate and master’s degrees and institutions:
I earned a Bachelor of Arts in French and a Bachelor of Science in health sciences with a minor in public health from The Ohio State University. I received a Master of Public Health from George Washington University.
Tell us about your current position and role in public health:
I am a Public Health Advisor with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). I support the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
What led you to choose the Georgia State School of Public Health’s DrPH program?
My interest in earning a DrPH from the Georgia State School of Public Health stems from the robust curriculum. Georgia State’s DrPH program provided me with skills to develop my leadership competencies while advancing my knowledge in numerous disciplines, such as health equity, public health ethics and policy analysis.
Tell us about some of your most valuable experiences in the DrPH program.
One of the most valuable experiences from the DrPH program is the friendships formed with classmates, which developed from class discussions, working on group projects and engaging in activities with the cohort outside of school. My cohort has become family. We plan baby showers, bridal showers and other events for one another. Another valuable experience I’ve had was engaging with students in the global health field. I have worked in the public health field for over 14 years; however, my paid work experience in the global health field began in December 2021. I have received guidance and mentorship from seasoned global health professionals from various DrPH cohorts.
How is the DrPH program at Georgia State helping prepare you for leadership roles in public health?
The DrPH program at Georgia State has supported my preparation for leadership roles in public health because of the knowledge, skills and tools learned in classes. This preparation includes discussions with guest speakers, professors, students and assignments. Professionally, I have applied the knowledge, skills and tools gained from the DrPH program as I collaborate with colleagues, partners and stakeholders in Atlanta and PEPFAR-supported countries to respond to the global HIV/AIDS epidemic.