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SPHIS Student Spotlight: Erin Baughman
Name: Erin Baughman
Degree Program: MS in Health Administration (MSHA)
Expected Graduation Date: December 2023
SPHIS graduate student Erin Baughman exemplifies how SPHIS students find creative ways to share their public health knowledge and passion. Baughman recently competed in the Miss Kentucky pageant, a non-profit foundation devoted to empowering the women of Kentucky to achieve their personal and professional goals. Despite being relatively new to the pageant scene, Baughman was a semi-finalist and was awarded Kentucky’s Choice Award at the Miss Kentucky pageant.
In addition to the scholarship potential, Baughman saw the pageant as an opportunity to share her personal journey with cervical cancer and to advocate for cervical cancer awareness, prevention, and screening. She currently volunteers and assists with outreach, research, and education development with the organization Cervical Cancer Awareness and Prevention (CCAP) Across The Map. “If one person heard my story and scheduled a screening that saved their life, my participation [in the Miss Kentucky pageant] was worth the time and effort,” Baughman said.
When not competing or in class, Baughman works for the University of Louisville Kentucky Care Coordination Program in the Division of Infectious Disease working with individuals living with HIV/AIDS in Kentucky. She wants to use her experience and education to work on targeted gynecologic cancer and HIV/AIDS prevention campaigns at the federal level.
In describing her experience as an MSHA student, Baughman said, “Our faculty genuinely go above and beyond to ensure that we are comprehending the competencies necessary to be successful leaders who make a difference.”
To get the most from their graduate studies, she advises future public heath students to “soak up as much information as possible and volunteer with an organization that will help you practice the skills you are learning in your classes…the hands-on experience is invaluable.”
Although Baughman is wrapping up her journey as an MSHA student, she intends to stay connected to SPHIS. Her plan right now is to return next fall to obtain the Public Health Training Certificate.
Connect with Baughman via LinkedIn.
