Earning my degree opened up so many doors for me in the field of public health.
I decided to study health services administration at D'Youville College because I felt it would be useful in achieving my career goal, which was to work in HIV/AIDS arena. I really enjoyed the variety of coursework examining at all aspects of healthcare, including ethics, policy, administration and research.
I was first exposed to the concept of needle exchange and harm reduction while writing a paper for Dr. Donald Sabo's epidemiology class. I went on to do my practicum at the needle exchange program at Buffalo Columbus Hospital. For my thesis, I conducted qualitative research focusing on the perceptions and needs of minority women in a needle exchange/harm reduction setting in Philadelphia.
After graduation, I went on to work for Pennsylvania Department of Health, HIV/AIDS Division. Today, I'm a project officer for the HIV/AIDS Bureau at the Health Resources and Services Administration of the US Dept. of Health and Human Services. We administer the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program funding, which provides care and treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS who are uninsured or underinsured.
I apply so much of what I studied in the HSA program to my work on a daily basis. Earning my degree opened up so many doors for me in the public health field.
Helen Rovito, MS '00
Alumna
Health Services Administration (MS)