MPH Alumni Harry Daniels-Schatz: 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 Harry Daniels-Schatz here!

Name: Harry Daniels-Schatz

Graduation Year: May 2016

Job Title: Medevac Pilot

Organization: CSI Aviation

Describe your career path. Why public health?

I chose to pursue a career in public health because I was working on my PhD in Leadership with an emphasis on public health issues such as homelessness. Public health provided me with the opportunity to gain understanding, knowledge, and expertise in my area of study. Since leaving the MPH program, I worked at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as an epidemiologist trainee and also with the Yavapai Medical Reserve Corps in Prescott, Arizona responding to emergencies and doing community health education programs.

What are you responsible for in your current position?

As a Medevac Pilot at CSI Aviation, I safely operate aircrafts transporting patients for treatment across the United States. I am also responsible for the comfort of patients during airborne operations.

What is your favorite part about your job?

I enjoy seeing patients go where they need to go to get the treatment they need and providing them with a good experience on the airplane.

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

The MPH program allowed me to explore the different avenues of patient care and how to be a part of the healing process. The MPH program also helped me understand patient needs and how to tend to their needs. Part of my job also includes education, which the MPH program prepared me for in a variety of ways.

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

My favorite part of the MPH program was the diversity of thought and experiences that my classmates and our instructors brought into the classroom, which was essential for our growth and education.

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

There are many career paths within the public health field. Do not just focus on local health or health in the United States only. Public health professionals are needed all across the globe. Go where you can gain experience and serve with passion. What we do is important and it matters.