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Sam Fahmy
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School of Public Health
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When Taylor Jones first enrolled at Georgia State University as an undergraduate student majoring in chemistry, she envisioned a future in medicine. What she did not expect was that a single course would introduce her to a field that would fundamentally shape her career—and help pave the way to medical school.
Today, Jones is preparing to begin her studies at Morehouse School of Medicine, bringing with her years of public health experience that have deepened her understanding of the factors that influence health and well-being.
“Until taking ‘Microbiology and Public Health,’ I had never even thought about public health or knew about careers in public health,” she said. “That class opened my eyes to how health is shaped by much more than what happens in a doctor’s office.”
After earning her bachelor’s degree in chemistry with a concentration in biochemistry in 2019, Jones returned to Georgia State to pursue a Master of Public Health degree with a concentration in epidemiology. Attracted by the School of Public Health’s strong reputation and its connections to the range of public health agencies, nonprofits and health care organizations that are based in Atlanta, she found an academic home that would provide both mentorship and practical experience.
Discovering a Passion for Public Health Research
One of the most influential experiences of her MPH program came through her work as a graduate research assistant for Professor Christine Stauber. Jones contributed to a research project examining the relationships between socioeconomic conditions and health outcomes in the central Savannah River area. The experience introduced her to public health research on a deeper level and challenged her to step outside her comfort zone.
“I was able to present our findings at the Georgia Public Health Association conference, and that was life-changing for me,” Jones said. “I never imagined myself presenting research in front of people, but it helped me discover a new confidence.”
While pursuing her MPH, Jones balanced a demanding schedule that included full-time employment, graduate coursework, research responsibilities and internships. She completed her Applied Practice Experience with the Atlanta-based international nonprofit CARE, where she developed country-specific communications and materials related to vaccine delivery initiatives.
Those experiences helped launch a public health career that has spanned nonprofit organizations, federal agencies and local government.
Building a Career Through Service and Experience
After graduating in 2022, Jones joined the CDC Foundation as a COVID-19 case investigator supporting schools during the pandemic. Through an ORISE Fellowship with the CDC’s National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis STD, and Tuberculosis Prevention, she conducted data analyses that put her epidemiology knowledge into practice.
She later joined the Fulton County Department for HIV Elimination, where she evaluated programs funded through the federal Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative and helped monitor progress toward critical HIV-related health outcomes.
Throughout these roles, Jones deepened her expertise in epidemiology, biostatistics and program evaluation while gaining firsthand insight into the social and environmental factors that influence health. Those experiences, she said, ultimately reinforced her desire to pursue medicine.
Bringing a Public Health Perspective to Medicine
Jones said her public health training will help her become a more effective and compassionate physician by encouraging her to consider the broader challenges patients may face, including food insecurity, transportation barriers and lack of access to care.
“Public health helped me understand the bigger picture,” she explained. “As a physician, I’ll be able to see not only the diagnosis in front of me but also the circumstances affecting that person’s health.”
Her long-term goal is to become an obstetrician-gynecologist, motivated in part by concerns about maternal health outcomes and health disparities affecting Black women.
“Georgia has some of the worst maternal health outcomes in the country,” Jones said. “I want to be part of improving that. Public health has taught me to think holistically and to make sure patients have the resources they need, not just medical treatment.”
When asked why she chose to enroll at Morehouse School of Medicine, she didn’t hesitate: “Their commitment to serving the underserved, for sure,” she said. “I feel like that’s my mission, too, so I wanted to go to a school that aligns with that. Sometimes people tell you that you should apply to 25 or 30 medical schools, and that was never going to be me.”
Looking back, she credits Georgia State’s School of Public Health with helping her build the skills, experiences and professional network that made her success possible. For current students, her advice is simple: seek out opportunities, volunteer and make connections.
“Networking has helped me tremendously,” Jones said. “A lot of opportunities came from reaching out to people, staying connected and being willing to step outside my comfort zone.”
For students considering medical school, she emphasized that grades matter, but they are only one part of your story. “Get involved in work that genuinely reflects your interests and values, whether that’s research, volunteering, advocacy, mentorship or community service,” she said.
As she prepares to begin medical school this summer, Jones carries with her a foundation built on public health, research and service. She said the experiences and perspectives she has gained will allow her to make a meaningful difference—both in the clinic and in the communities she serves.
“I’m excited to take what I’ve learned and use it to care for patients, advocate for communities and keep growing into the kind of physician I’ve always hoped to become,” Jones said.