MPH Alumni Daniel Morales: Where Is He Now?

The Master of Public Health program’s series titled “Where Are They Now?” dives into each individual’s time as a student and how those experiences shaped their current professions. If you are interested in taking part in the series, please contact mph@ewu.edu. Catch up with Daniel Morales here!

Name: Daniel Morales

Graduation Year: May 2018

Job Title: Community Outreach and Development Manager

Organization: Martin Luther King Jr. Family Outreach Center

Describe your career path. Why public health?

I have held a number of positions related to community health. I started off as a missionary to Mexico, Haiti, India, and Peru. Then, I joined the Army as a medic and traveled to Korea and Iraq. Due to such a great need among English Language Learners, I chose to pursue a career path in communications and completed a degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences.  I have a passion for community, but community cannot happen without many different types of communication. Ultimately, communication led me to where I am today. Why public health? Public health can be everything around us but without communication, these ideas cannot be expressed. In this organization, I must understand a variety of cultures and modes of communication if we are to be effective at meeting our community’s needs.

What are you responsible for in your current position?

Community Outreach ensures that the community is aware of the resources that we offer, and that the community’s needs are being met. Program Development requires fundraising and networking to create sustainable programs that meet the community’s needs.

What is your favorite part about your job?

My favorite part about my job is developing new relationships with community members and seeing the power of community in action.

How did the MPH program prepare you for your current position?

I started at the Martin Luther King Jr. Family Outreach Center as an intern. I developed a Falls Prevention Health Promotion program that I continue to do as part of my job description.  Additionally, community assessments also fall under my job description. My last year of academia was strongly focused on assessing the community, program planning, and data analysis.

What was most memorable to you about your experiences in the MPH program?

Graduating! Completing 155 surveys for my capstone was pretty awesome. Presenting it in a logical and informed manner was the highlight.

What advice would you give to someone who is considering pursuing an MPH?

Keep your ideas broad and remain culturally sensitive. Each culture your encounter will require different accommodations.