The Public Health Student Association (PHSA) has been established as an organization dedicated to facilitating community service and opportunity for students at the University of Florida. PHSA will strive to enrich the University of Florida and Gainesville communities through widespread promotion of public health to promote interest, awareness, and understanding of the public health profession.
Who can join PHSA
Membership in this organization is open to all enrolled students at the University of Florida. Non-enrolled students, spouses, faculty, and staff may be associate members; however, they may not vote or hold office.
How to join PHSA
Please attend a General Body Meeting to receive more information. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, October 14, 2025 from 5-6 p.m. ET
2025 Executive Board
President
Tony El-Rady
Tony is an MPH student with a concentration in Epidemiology. His public health interests include infection disease, health disparities, and disease control & prevention.
The individual in this role will organize and preside over PHSA meetings, develop semester-specific strategic plans, and appoint committee chairpersons in collaboration with the Vice President. They will also have the authority to appoint ad-hoc committees and serve as an ex-officio member on all committees. Monthly meetings with the PHSA advisor and MPH program director will also be conducted to ensure effective communication and alignment with broader program objectives.
Vice President
Jesse Meyer
Jesse is an MPH student with a concentration in Social and Behavioral Sciences concentration. Her public health interests include health equity, harm reduction, prevention, mental health, and substance abuse.
The Vice President’s role is to oversee the update of PHSA’s official documents, including appointing committee chairpersons in collaboration with the President. Additionally, the incumbent will supervise all standing PHSA committees and act as a crucial liaison between PHSA and the American Public Health Association. Regular meetings with the PHSA advisor will be conducted to ensure effective coordination and communication.
Treasurer
James VanSickle
James is an MPH student concentrating in Epidemiology. He is pre-med and is applying for med school this cycle. His public health interests include health equity, infectious disease and vaccine compliance.
The Treasurer will manage the PHSA funding account, which is exclusively allocated to PHSA funds and maintained in a readily accessible savings account. Attendance at the Board of College Councils budget training is essential to ensure proficiency in financial matters. Acting as a liaison between the College Council and PHSA, the incumbent will facilitate effective communication. Detailed and accurate records of all monetary transactions involving PHSA and its committees will be meticulously maintained. Collaborating with the President, the individual will play a key role in preparing annual and semester budgets for PHSA.
Secretary
Santiago Ojeda
Santiago is a MPH student concentrating in Social and behavioral sciences. His public health interests include neuroepidemiology, substance use, and mental health.
The Secretary is tasked with diligently taking minutes at general meetings and preparing them for distribution and approval at the subsequent meeting. Maintaining an accurate record of general meeting attendance and implementing a point system for eligibility is also within their purview. In collaboration with the President, the individual is responsible for preparing a written meeting agenda. Furthermore, they coordinate, collect, and compile committee reports. Regular bi-weekly updates to all Public Health graduate students will be disseminated under their direction. Additionally, close collaboration with the PHSA Historian is expected to create publicity for PHSA events and maintain the Department Calendar.
Historian
Amy Dukeshire
Amy is a MPH student in the Social and Behavioral Sciences. Her public health interests include promoting health equity, sexual and reproductive health, community-based participatory research, mental health, and substance use.
The Historian is responsible for maintaining and maintaining the PHSA Instagram ensuring that it accurately reflects the organization’s activities and initiatives. Collaboration with the PHSA secretary is crucial for creating effective publicity for PHSA events and maintaining the Department Calendar. Additionally, the individual will oversee the maintenance of the PHSA bulletin board, strategically located adjacent to the Public Health student lounge in the HPNP building.
Combined Degree Representative
Nicolas Rosado
Nicolas is a third-year undergraduate Biochemistry major planning to start a combined MPH degree in Summer 2025. Their public health interests include viral epidemics, harm reduction, and health disparities amongst members of the LGBTQ+ and Latina/o communities.
The primary responsibility of the combined degree student is to act as a liaison between fellow combined degree students and the MPH program, advocating for the specific needs and concerns unique to this demographic. Despite being MPH students, it is acknowledged that those concurrently pursuing other degrees have distinct requirements. In close collaboration with the advisor and President, the combined degree student plays a crucial role in ensuring that the voices and concerns of their peers in the combined degree programs are effectively communicated and addressed within the broader MPH program.
Social Chair
Katie Grissett
Katie is an MPH student concentrating in Epidemiology. Her public health interests include infection control and prevention.
A Social Chair is responsible for planning and organizing events that foster engagement, connection, and community within an organization. They coordinate social gatherings, promote participation, and ensure events align with the group’s mission and interests. Their role helps strengthen relationships, enhance morale, and create a welcoming environment for members.
Service Chair
Melissa Lewis
Melissa is an MPH student concentrating in Social and Behavioral Sciences. Her public health interests focus on the intersection of public health and law, specifically exploring how public policy affects those with lower SES.
A Service Chair organizes and oversees volunteer and community service initiatives, ensuring the organization contributes meaningfully to its community. They coordinate service projects, encourage member participation, and build partnerships with local organizations. Their role helps foster a culture of giving back and strengthens the organization’s impact.
College Calendar
Upcoming Events
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Jan 21
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MPH Campus and Online Concentrations Panel
2:00pm to 3:00pm
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Jan 29
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Traditional Master of Public Health (MPH) Program Information Session
12:00pm to 1:00pm
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Apr 01
PHSA GBM
Come Meet your NEW 2026 E-Board
January – TBD
