#2020Trojan: Meet Anju Franklin Kane, Master of Public Health online program graduate

Anju Franklin Kane earns her Master of Public Health with a concentration in global health leadership.

Why did you choose to pursue your degree?

I chose to pursue an MPH because I’ve always felt like public health was the perfect integration of health and science and social justice. Public health gives me the platform to address health inequities at both a community and global level and allows me to be an advocate for issues that I am most passionate about – such as maternal and infant mortality, and matters related to sexual and reproductive health and rights.

What has been your biggest accomplishment during your studies?

My biggest accomplishment while pursuing this degree was my internship with Luke International Norway. During my internship I worked on the Kuunika Project in Lilongwe, Malawi and created a standardized patient referral process for Malawi’s health system in efforts to improve care coordination. My model placed emphasis on primary level care and community health and directly aligned with Malawi’s National Community Health Strategy 2017 – 2022. My proposed model was submitted to Malawi’s Ministry of Health.

What’s an important lesson you learned?

During this program I learned how important it is to be a global citizen. We are all connected to one another and the choices that are made in one place have the ability to significantly impact the health and well-being of people in another. In global health I learned just how important global cooperation and communication is.

What’s one of your favorite memories from your program?

One of my favorite memories from the program was attending the 71st World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, Switzerland as a student delegate. During the WHA I had the opportunity to participate in a World Health Organization Young Health Professionals Consultation organized by the WHO Department of Reproductive Health and Research – still one of the best experiences I have ever had!

What will you miss most and why?

I think I’m going to miss being a student in general. Learning and being in a classroom setting gives me a sense of empowerment.

What are you doing after you graduate?

I currently supervise a California Department of Public Health program that strives to reduce infant and maternal mortality in Los Angeles. I hope to continue doing this impactful work and to eventually move into similar work with an international organization/agency.

What do you look forward to in your career path?

I look forward to being a global advocate for universal access to equitable health care!

What advice do you have for future grads?

My advice to future grads would be to build relationships with classmates and professors. The USC community has so much to offer!