Jake Witherbee emphasizes the transformative power of connections in public health and how the DrPH program is empowering him to look beyond the lab, enhancing his critical and strategic thinking skills.
Name: Jake Witherbee
Hometown: Annandale, Minnesota
Undergraduate and master’s degrees and institutions:
I earned my undergraduate degree in Natural Science with a Biology concentration from St. John’s University. I earned my MPH at Georgia State’s School of Public Health.
Tell us about your current position and role in public health:
I’m currently a microbiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Along with my colleagues who launched the program more than a decade ago, I oversee the molecular diagnostics arm of the Child Health and Mortality Surveillance Program, which seeks to identify causes of death among children under age five in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. We currently support 10 laboratories across nine countries, focusing on the TaqMan Array Card molecular diagnostic platform.
What led you to choose the Georgia State School of Public Health’s DrPH program?
Georgia State’s generalist approach, combined with its strong commitment to health equity, diversity and inclusion, was a big reason. But the number one reason I chose GSU’s DrPH program is that I already knew how well the School of Public Health worked for me. I began at GSU in Spring 2022 with a Graduate Certificate in Public Health, followed immediately by my MPH. I loved the education, support and sense of community I found here. I knew the program’s flexibility would allow me to balance school with full-time work and two young children. The added bonus of being in Atlanta, a hub for public health, made GSU the clear choice.
Tell us about some of your most valuable experiences in the DrPH program.
The connections I’ve made have been invaluable. Meeting people outside my professional bubble has broadened my understanding of public health in ways I didn’t expect. The relationships and mentorship I’ve gained—both from fellow students and faculty—have been incredible, especially during a time when public health is fighting for its credibility and survival against bad-faith actors in positions of political power.
How is the DrPH program at Georgia State helping prepare you for leadership roles in public health?
I’ve been a laboratory scientist for my entire career, and the program is helping me understand public health outside of the lab. It’s strengthening my ability to think critically and strategically about how to make public health work equitably for everyone. From men to babies to seniors to pregnant persons—everyone deserves leaders who will fight for them.