College of Public Health seniors find purpose, community and impact through public health

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 7, 2025) — Graduating seniors Sami Jones and Emma Grace Hague didn’t start their college careers in public health, but their experiences at the University of Kentucky led them to discover a passion for the field — and a deep commitment to improving community health, a fundamental principle of public health.

Observed April 7-13, National Public Health Week emphasizes how individual actions can create a collective impact. For Jones and Hague, who are also students in Lewis Honors College, discovering public health was a turning point that deepened their understanding of health care and community well-being. Through research, leadership and hands-on experiences, they have embraced the power of public health to drive change — demonstrating that making a difference begins with the decision to get involved.

For Jones, the journey to public health was guided by family ties. Growing up just outside Charlotte, North Carolina, Jones was introduced to UK by an older cousin, a UK College of Public Health alum. Frequent family visits to Lexington fostered a positive impression of the university, leading Jones to book a campus tour during her junior year of high school.

“The moment I stepped on campus, I felt an immediate connection — UK just felt special to me,” she said.

Initially drawn to the premedicine track as a biology major, Jones soon realized that the large class sizes lacked the sense of community she desired. Her cousin steered her toward the College of Public Health, and after learning about its programs, Jones knew she had found her niche.

“Since then, I have truly thrived within CPH and couldn’t imagine being anywhere else,” she said.

Hague arrived at UK from Louisville with a long-standing interest in health care. Originally a biology major with a political science minor, Hague’s intention was to pursue medical school while gaining a policy background. A pivotal conversation with her advisor illuminated public health as the ideal field to integrate these interests.

“I explained it to my advisor, and they said what I was describing was public health,” she said. “My advisor said I needed to check it out and thought it would be a great fit for me.”

This realization led Hague to the Bachelor of Public Health (BPH) program, a decision she is thankful for.

“I would not change it for the world,” she said. “Being in public health has really defined my college career by having such a tight-knit support system full of people who really want to see me succeed.”

Both Jones and Hague found the sense of community within the College of Public Health to be a defining aspect of their UK experience.

“I’ve had the opportunity to get to know the dean, multiple faculty and staff members, and almost every graduating senior in my cohort,” Jones said. “I find that incredibly special. The relationships I’ve built here have shaped my academic and professional journey in ways I never expected, and the support system within CPH is something I will always be grateful for.”

Hague echoes this sentiment, highlighting the sense of belonging she found within the college despite the vastness of the university.

“You have a community full of people who want to see you succeed and also want to learn and grow with you,” she said.

Another significant aspect of both students’ experiences has been their involvement in research.

Jones participated in a College of Public Health Research fellowship with the CARE2HOPE and KyOSK Projects in Eastern Kentucky, in which she studied health disparities and harm reduction in underserved communities. This hands-on experience profoundly impacted her understanding of public health’s reach.

“Before this experience, I hadn’t realized just how many ways public health can impact a population,” she said. “It’s one thing to study health disparities in the classroom, but being on the ground and witnessing the challenges firsthand gave me a new perspective on public health’s role in improving lives.”

Hague also actively engaged in research within the college, working with faculty members such as Rachel Hogg-Graham, D.P.H., and Margaret McGladrey, Ph.D. Her research focused on maternal and child health outcomes and public health data, aligning with her aspirations in obstetrics and gynecology.

“Through those research opportunities, I was able to take my undergraduate education and align that with my long-term career goals, which has been really cool,” Hague said.

Both Jones and Hague have actively immersed themselves in the opportunities offered by the College of Public Health and UK, taking on leadership roles and engaging in service.

Jones has been a Public Health student ambassador and held leadership roles in the UK Student Public Health Association.

Hague has been involved in the UK Student Activities Board and has also been a Public Health student ambassador.

“These experiences have helped shape my leadership skills and deepened my passion for public health,” Jones said.

Hague added, “I’ve been able to do a lot of different and really amazing things.”

As they prepare to graduate, both Jones and Hague are eager to apply their public health knowledge and experiences to their future endeavors.

After completing her BPH, Jones plans to finish the University Scholars Program, where she will earn her Master of Public Health with a concentration in health management and policy. She plans to attend medical school to specialize in pediatric asthma and allergy. Jones’ goal is to integrate health management skills with a public health lens to provide comprehensive care.

Hague plans to attend medical school in Kentucky with the aim of practicing as an OB/GYN in the state. She believes her BPH education, customized to Kentucky’s unique health landscape, has prepared her exceptionally well to serve the community.

“Getting that tailored experience is a big thing for me because Kentucky’s health landscape and the state’s public health landscape are so unique,” she said. “My education has been very tailored to Kentucky, and as a result, I think I’m well prepared to serve the community of Kentucky as a whole. I think that has really allowed me to be ready for my career and hopefully be able to be a successful and effective physician one day.”

Jones added that it’s been inspiring to see public health initiatives directly improving communities, especially in Kentucky.

“Through my research and experiences, I’ve witnessed the impact of harm reduction programs, substance use interventions and community outreach efforts — particularly in response to the ongoing opioid epidemic,” she said. “Public health isn’t just theory; it’s action. Being part of this field has shown me how much work goes into improving health outcomes and addressing disparities, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see the difference it makes.”

As National Public Health Week approaches, Jones and Hague’s journeys highlight how discovering public health can be a transformative experience — one that fosters knowledge, inspires action and empowers individuals to create meaningful change in their communities.

The UK College of Public Health is hosting several events for National Public Health Week, which are open to all. A partial schedule is below. For more information and a full schedule, which includes online National Public Health Week events, check the Public Health website.

• Kickoff Forum – Celebrating 30 Years of National Public Health Week online webinar, Monday, April 7, 2-3:30 p.m. ET.
• National Public Health Week Parade, Tuesday, April 8, noon-1 p.m. The parade begins and ends at Research Facility 1 on Washington Avenue in Lexington.
• Wellness Wednesday, Wednesday, April 9, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. , Research Facility 1. Public health faculty and staff will be hosting different activity stations throughout the building.
• National Public Health Week Lecture by Mark Birdwhistell, Thursday, April 10, noon-1 p.m. eastern, W.T. Young Library, Multipurpose Room B-108C. Birdwhistell is the senior vice president for health and public policy for the University of Kentucky. In this capacity, he leads all government relations for the university in the Office of Government Relations and Public Policy.
• First Pitch at UK Baseball, Saturday, April 12, noon. Wrap up National Public Health Week and cheer on UK Public Health Dean Heather Bush as she throws out the first pitch at the UK-Texas baseball game.