Peek Into an MPH Practicum: A Q&A with a Health Policy Track Student
By Kyra Letsinger
Since as early as the ninth grade, second-year Master of Public Health (MPH) student Ishan Basu Ray has been working toward a career in health care. While peers spent summers relaxing, Basu Ray researched and shadowed in labs at some of his hometown of New Orleans, Louisiana’s most renowned academic institutions, including Tulane and Louisiana State Health Sciences Center. With ample experience, Basu Ray began pursuing his Bachelor of Science in Health Studies from the University of Memphis. However, as he progressed through his undergraduate studies, he realized in his junior year that his original plan to become a doctor may not be the correct path for him to take in the healthcare field. Instead, he decided he wanted to improve health outcomes on a broader scale. It was then he realized a master’s in public health would be the perfect way to prepare him to make the systemic change he was interested in. Upon finding Vanderbilt’s MPH program, with its specialized Health Policy track and location in the healthcare stronghold of the Mid-South, he knew he had discovered the perfect place to further his passions.
In Vanderbilt University School of Medicine’s Master of Public Health program, instructional and hands-on learning are both believed to be pivotal in creating well-rounded public health professionals. The required public health practicum project champions both types of learning experiences, providing students the chance to use their classroom and experiential teachings in a real-world public health setting while supervised by field professionals. Over the last few months, Basu Ray completed his practicum experience with Horizon Government Affairs, a healthcare consultancy group based in Washington D.C. Through this experience, Basu Ray says he has better idea of the direction of his potential future career and new, valuable professional connections.
What organization are you working with for your practicum and where is your placement located?
I worked for Horizon Government Affairs, a healthcare consultancy based in Washington, D.C. Most of my work revolved around one of HGA’s many coalitions: the Health Innovation Alliance, a health IT group that aims to improve health outcomes, lower care costs, and accelerate the development speed of life-changing medical treatments.
What is your practicum and what made you choose this project?
I analyze cases of artificial intelligence (AI) use in healthcare. I’m tracking every way different actors in the healthcare space, like physicians, administrators, public health officials, pharmaceutical companies, and patients, use AI. I chose this project because AI is a burgeoning space. Its use is incredibly sensationalized. I wanted to participate in the space and understand its real impact in real-time.
What does the day to day look like with this placement?
The firm holds staff meetings on Monday mornings, followed by intern check-ins. At these check-ins, we are assigned weekly tasks like client news trackers or writeups for Senate hearings and markup committees individually. The rest of the time is spent working on individual projects, participating in client calls, attending webinars for future research/ contracts, and responding to government-side updates, amongst other things. Most of my work revolved around one of HGA’s many coalitions: the Health Innovation Alliance, a health IT group that aims to improve health outcomes, lower care costs, and accelerate the development speed of life-changing medical treatments, but no two days are the same.
How did you find out about this opportunity? Did the MPH team play a role?
I’m very grateful to Brad Hawkins for presenting me with this opportunity. He is incredibly generous with his time and directed me when I was lost trying to find a practicum site. I’m not exaggerating when I say he is the jewel of this program. All my colleagues would say the same.
How do you feel this experience has benefitted you as a public health professional in training?
This opportunity gave me direction and expanded my network. I’m grateful to have made relationships I aim to strengthen with time. It’s always exciting to work with people who have decades of experience under their belts. They can spot trends happening in real-time and are privy to information before the public is.
Now accepting applications for the Class of 2027 cohort, learn more about Vanderbilt’s Master of Public Health program and the Health Policy Track.