Henry Nguyen is an accomplished Epidemiologist at Niagara Region Public Health (NRPH), where he supports the Clinical Services Division with data-driven insights for programs such as Infectious Disease, Sexual Health, and Vaccine Preventable Disease. His journey in public health began at Brock University, where he initially pursued Community Health in 2013 before switching to a Bachelor of Public Health in 2015, followed by a Master of Public Health (MPH) in 2017. This educational path reflects his growing passion for statistics and data analysis.

During his MPH program, Henry completed a pivotal five-month practicum with the Surveillance and Health Assessment and Research Evaluation (SHARE) Unit at NRPH, analyzing Canadian Community Health Survey data and compiling data summaries. This experience, combined with previous summer work at NRPH, paved the way for his professional career. In October 2018, immediately following his practicum, Henry was hired as a statistician with the SHARE Unit, marking the beginning of his impactful career at NRPH.

Throughout his tenure, Henry has made significant contributions to public health initiatives. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he played a crucial role in building and supporting Public Health’s reporting and data infrastructure, creating complex surveillance products and conducting specialized analyses to inform the local context in Niagara. He has also been instrumental in addressing the opioid crisis, working with community partners to develop a comprehensive strategy based on data insights. Additionally, Henry has collaborated with Niagara Emergency Medical Services to support community partners with their data needs.

Currently, much of Henry’s work focuses on leveraging business intelligence solutions to streamline workflows and improve operational efficiencies within the public health sector. Looking ahead, he aims to apply artificial intelligence and more advanced data science techniques to further understand and address the region’s public health challenges, demonstrating his commitment to innovation in public health practice.

As the son of Vietnamese immigrants, Henry brings a unique perspective to his work. Originally from Cambridge, Ontario, his background potentially contributes to a more inclusive and culturally sensitive approach to data analysis and interpretation in public health. Henry’s journey from a student considering dental hygiene to becoming a key player in public health epidemiology showcases his adaptability, growth, and dedication to improving community health through data-driven strategies.

Abigail is an alumni of the Brock MPH program. Since graduating in 2021, she has pursued her career and passion for public health. She currently works as a Health Promoter at Southwestern Public Health (SWPH). Her role is centred on harm reduction and working with community partners to reduce the harms associated with substance use. She is extremely passionate about her work and is continually learning as she grows in her career. She also has worked as a TA at Brock for the last 3 years in addition to her full-time role at SWPH. She currently is assisting with MPHA 5P01 Quality Health Systems through Collaboration and Partnership

Gagandeep Virdi believes in community engagement and strives to always work alongside affected populations as meaningful participants, valued leaders, and equal partners. She holds a Master’s in Public Health and an Honours Bachelors of Public Health with a minor in Adult Education from Brock University. Gagandeep has been employed with the Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) for over two years as a Health Planner for the Population Health Assessment Team, where she has also supervised MPH (co-op) students. Additionally, Gagandeep is currently a Guest Lecturer with Brock University for the Bachelor of Public Health Program. She loves to teach and give back to current students. She is passionate about teaching and enjoys mentoring and supporting current students.

A leader in health promotion, tobacco control, opioid prevention and youth engagement. Gagandeep has worked collaboratively to plan, implement and evaluate several innovative prevention initiatives that have become models for other jurisdictions. She is a sought-after trainer/facilitator and health promotion consultant with clients that include the Youth Advocacy Training Institute (YATI), CAMH, SOCH, Ontario Health, Lynwood Charlton Centre, and the Knowledge Institute on Child and Youth Mental Health and Addictions.

Shannon earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology in 2021, from McMaster University, where researched both neuromuscular disease and climate change impacts on fish. She completed her Master of Public Health at Brock University in 2022, including an independent research project on the usefulness of youth arts education for promoting planetary health. This work was recognized with awards including the NCCPH Knowledge Translation Graduate Student Award. Currently, Shannon works as a Community Health Promoter at the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit. She collaborates with school board staff and educators to create healthy learning environments through engaging programming and evidence-based policy. In addition to her work with schools, she co-chairs the Planetary Health Working Group and integrates sustainability into all aspects of Health Unit operations.

Prabhjot Kaur is a Service System and Performance Management Advisor within the Homelessness Services and Community Engagement Division. In this role, she focuses on building capacity within Niagara’s homeless service system through community engagement, system transformation, and the integration of service standards and best practices. Her role is responsible for establishing performance benchmarks and ensuring program effectiveness, while addressing system gaps and barriers to success.

Previously, Prabhjot served as an Integrated Planning and Policy Advisor within Community Services, where she provided strategic advice and managed key initiatives across various divisions. Prabhjot holds a Master’s in Public Health and a Bachelor’s in Health Sciences and Biology.

Mia Rogers is from a small town in Ontario. She holds a Bachelor of Health Science degree from Ontario Tech University and a Master of Public Health degree from Brock University. Currently, she works as a Junior Architect at the Canadian Institute for Health Information where she is involved in the Pan-Canadian Health Data Content Standard project. In her spare time, she enjoys walks with her dog, reading, and spending time with her nieces and nephews. Mia is also a former university varsity hockey player and a dedicated Toronto Maple Leafs fan.

Building Bridges in Public Health:
How Brock’s MPH Connects People, Places, and Perspectives

Graduate programs often conjure to mind a sacrifice: stepping away from work, uprooting life, or moving across the country. Brock’s Master of Public Health (MPH) program turns that idea on its head.

This program isn’t about pulling students out of their world. It’s about helping them stay connected to a number of priorities, including their careers, their families, and a nationwide community of learners.

Take one recent graduate’s experience. After completing a degree in Chemical Biology at McMaster, Colin Stark set his long-term goal on medicine. But he also wanted something broader: an understanding of the systems, communities, and policies that shape health outcomes. Brock’s one-year, online MPH offered the perfect bridge.

From day one, Colin and his cohort weren’t just studying public health—they were learning with and from classmates across Canada. Alberta, BC, Nova Scotia: every group project carried a cross-country perspective. “There’s no geographical sense of limitation,” he explained. In fact, it mirrored a real public health workforce. “Regardless of timezones or schedules, an inter-provincial cohort allowed us to learn from different voices and different lived experiences, all working together.”

This bridge extended into the practicum. Choosing an infectious diseases elective led to a placement at the National Collaborating Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCCID). There, Colin gained insight into health monitoring systems and notifiable disease databases, which is work that connects research, policy, and practice on a national scale.

The faculty, too, were part of this bridge-building. Responsive, supportive, and deeply engaged, they helped students tailor electives and practicums to personal passions, whether in Indigenous health, health promotion, disease control, and beyond.

The result? For this Colin, Brock’s MPH became more than preparation for medical school. It became a way to weave public health into his future clinical career. It’s a bridge between macro- and micro-level views of health.

And that’s the real story: Brock’s MPH isn’t just flexible in format. It’s connective in spirit. It brings together disciplines, geographies, and people in ways that enrich every student and, by extension, every community they’ll serve.

“This isn’t just a program for aspiring doctors. Brock’s MPH provides experiences to benefit many health carers, regardless of which path you take.”

Whether you’re starting your career, re-entering the workforce, or making a pivot, Brock’s MPH builds the bridges that help you move forward, without leaving your world behind.

Learning Without Relocating

When Domenic Alaimo chose Brock University’s Master of Public Health, flexibility was key.

“I really liked how it was an online model and I could work while I was doing my studies,” he explains. “There wasn’t any set scheduled class time, which made it really helpful because I could go through all the content at my own pace without having to move to a different city or quit my job.”

While working at McMaster Children’s Hospital, Domenic balanced shifts with coursework, even completing assignments during his breaks. That accessibility allowed him to grow academically while continuing to build valuable professional experience.

The program offered more than just flexibility. Through a practicum with the Hamilton Regional Cancer Program, Domenic gained hands-on experience in prevention and early detection initiatives—work that led directly to a full-time position after graduation.

“It was a door open to a career,” he reflects.

Now a third-year medical student at Western University, Domenic finds himself continually drawing on his public health training. “Medical school is very good at teaching you how to diagnose and treat. But my MPH taught me to look at the bigger picture of people’s lives— their social circumstances, their access to care, the environments they live in. That perspective has been invaluable.”

Advancing Public Health, Fast and Close to Home

When Alexandre Petiquan, a physician training in Public Health and Preventive Medicine, began searching for a master’s program, he needed something that could keep pace with his residency.

“Scouring the country, there were very limited programs that offered the same timeline. Most were two years and in person, whereas Brock’s 12-month online MPH was really attractive for someone with a busy residency and a whole life where they already are.”

Brock’s accelerated, asynchronous format meant he could complete his academic requirements in just one year without uprooting his life or leaving his work behind.

“It’s very challenging to uproot for two years when you’re already in residency. The flexibility of Brock’s program made it possible.”

Grounded in Community

A proud member of his treaty territory in northwestern Ontario, Alexandre Petiquan used his MPH coursework to strengthen Indigenous data governance.

“I did the Health Information Management specialization, and it was very useful for my work as a technical advisor for my treaty territory.”

“Being able to study remotely meant I could stay connected to that work while learning to serve my community better.”

Learning, Leadership, and Connection

During the program, he balanced full-time medical training with community leadership; even organizing a biostatistics study group that drew more than 30 learners.

“Helping others learn helped me too. It reinforced the concepts and built friendships at the same time.”

His practicum with the Public Health Agency of Canada connected theory to national policy, driving reconciliation-focused initiatives within public health.

“What surprised me most was how small the public health world really is—and how connected everyone is.”

Advice for Future Students

“My advice is not to wait for opportunities to come to you. See the need, act on it, and build your own path. That’s how you shape your career.”

“This program is perfect for medical residents. It’s one of the only programs in Canada that meets our requirements and can actually fit our schedules.”

Fast, Flexible, and Impactful

Alexandre Petiquan continues his residency in Ottawa while contributing to health governance and policy across his Treaty territory. He’s setting the example of how Brock’s MPH lets professionals grow without slowing down.

“The program is self-directed and flexible, but that means you have to be accountable to yourself. You really get out what you put in.”