Meet the students from the College of Public Health and Health Professions, a diverse group dedicated to improving health and well-being in communities around the world. These students come from various backgrounds, united by their passion for health and their commitment to making a positive impact. They bring unique perspectives and experiences to their studies, preparing to become the next generation of health professionals who will address pressing health challenges and advance their field.
Meet: Justine Torres
Program: BHS/MPH Combined Degree
Expected Graduation: Spring 2025 (BHS) and Spring 2026 (MPH)
Why did you decide to join the BHS and MPH programs?
At the beginning of my undergraduate journey at the University of Florida, I promised myself that—despite my aspirations to become a physician—I would be intentional about pursuing my interests, even if they weren’t “typical” for a pre-medical student. While I am passionate about both the hard sciences and the humanities, I don’t feel that I fully align with either discipline. Instead, I feel most at home exploring the nuances of the social sciences. Conducting research in Dr. Erin Westgate’s Social Cognition and Emotion Lab deepened my understanding of how intrinsic motivation and external factors, such as social determinants, shape our behaviors, which in turn shape our identities.
Moreover, a core theme in my health science curriculum is that terms like “healthy” and “sick” are rooted in subjectivity. My coursework within the College of Public Health and Health Professions has solidified my desire to practice medicine while considering the contextual inequities that shape one’s manifestation of health and wellness. These factors naturally led me to pursue a Master of Public Health degree through PHHP’s BHS/MPH program, with a concentration in social and behavioral sciences.
What have been some of your favorite moments in your programs?
I wholeheartedly believe that PHHP is the most welcoming college on campus! As a health science major, I have enjoyed the collaborative aspect of my undergraduate courses, which has allowed me to develop strong friendships with like-minded peers. Moreover, the PHHP faculty is truly unparalleled—I can’t even begin to count the ways my advisors, TAs, and professors have supported and inspired me throughout my academic career.
What do you plan to do with your degrees?
Closely related to the subjectivity of health and sickness is the understanding that medical intervention is only effective if those who need it most can easily access it. This concept has been reinforced through my interactions with patients as a hospice volunteer. As I travel throughout Gainesville and greater Alachua to conduct social and relief visits for homebound patients, I see firsthand how factors like geography and socioeconomic status are intimately linked to health outcomes. I recognize the importance of practicing medicine through a public health model—one that acknowledges the influence of socioeconomic factors on health and seeks to serve vulnerable populations.
My ultimate goal is to be a doctor who understands that while social determinants of health may set the context of a person’s life, their health outcomes are not necessarily set in stone. By pursuing my Master of Public Health degree at the University of Florida, I hope to gain a more comprehensive understanding of how to help shape my future patients’ lives on a systemic level while practicing medicine on an individual scale.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I am an avid reader and baker! You can often find me baking bread or a tasty dessert while listening to an audiobook or a random video essay.
What would you like to share with others who may be considering the same program?
Public health lies at the intersection of every discipline! What I love most about PHHP’s combination degree program is that it allows me to engage in the public health sphere and take advantage of the resources and opportunities offered to graduate students sooner than I would as a traditional student. If you’re an undergraduate interested in pursuing your Master of Public Health through the combination degree program, I highly recommend reaching out to advisors or students already in the program to gain a comprehensive perspective on all its benefits.
Want to learn more?
If you’d like to learn more about PHHP’s combined degree offerings, visit our website by clicking here.
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