Haley Maxwell’s interest in public health began when she served as a scribe for a urogynecologist who had a public health degree in addition to a medical one.

“I loved the way she practiced medicine because she treated each person individually, according to their conditions,” said Maxwell, who graduated USF’s College of Public Health (COPH) in 2021 with an MPH. “Whenever patients with complex medical issues came into the office, she kept a positive attitude and was committed to providing the best care that she could. During my time as a scribe, I decided to investigate MPH programs. On my first day of classes at the COPH, I knew this program was exactly what I needed. Public health is committed to understanding the reason behind health issues and how to prevent them from happening in the future.”

While it was a doctor who inspired Maxwell to pursue her MPH, it was a documentary about medical procedures performed on enslaved African women that got her interested in her concentration—maternal and child health.

“The practices that were performed still have underlying medical consequences for African American women today, especially in regard to the maternal mortality rate,” said Maxwell, who graduated Virginia Commonwealth University in 2018 with a B.S. in health sciences and a minor in chemistry. “I was completely shocked by this information. I felt the need to make a difference.”

Maxwell said she decided on the COPH because of its solid reputation and its maternal and child health concentration. She said that from the get-go she was inspired by the COPH faculty, particularly Assistant Professor Dr. Ronee Wilson.

“I remember meeting her during orientation and learning that her research correlated with my interest in African American maternal mortality,” Maxwell commented. “Also, I was fortunate enough to have her as my mentor during the Maternal and Child Health Scholar Program from 2020-2021. It was so inspiring to have my check-ins with her because she remained professional, positive and attentive toward our work together.”

While a student at the college, Maxwell served as a graduate research assistant, a maternal and child health scholar and president of the Public Health Student Association. In 2021, USF Health named Maxwell Student Leader of the Year. “I can confidently say that I am so glad I chose USF because it challenged and prepared me for the profession,” she said.

Like many public health students graduating in the midst of the pandemic, Maxwell’s first public health job was investigating COVID-19 cases, recording symptoms, exposures, close contacts, etc.

From there, she pursued her maternal child health passion, recently completing a prestigious Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) fellowship with the federal government’s Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program, working on fatherhood initiatives.

“The ORISE fellowship gave me a wider perspective about MIECHV programs around the United States,” she said. “I was able to review awardee reports and developed a fatherhood analysis about the MIECHV programs with fatherhood initiatives.”

Maxwell is currently seeking an MS in medical sciences at Morehouse School of Medicine with plans to enter medical school in 2024.

“The COPH has an amazing program that prepared me for the public health profession,” she said. “Thanks to the coursework, volunteering, research and leadership roles, I have a greater understanding of the public health field. I can combine my research and public health foundational skills to analyze and evaluate public health issues. The COPH is an environment filled with opportunity, collaboration and faculty who want to see you succeed!”

Alumni Fast Five

What did you dream of becoming when you were young?

A physician

Where would we find you on the weekend?

I am either trying out a new restaurant or in the comfort of my own apartment.

What is the last book you read?

“Medical Apartheid,” by Harriet A. Washington

What superpower would you like to have?

Invisibility

What’s your all-time favorite movie?

“Friday After Next”

Story by Donna Campisano, USF College of Public Health