Unbeknownst to me, my Biology undergraduate senior capstone project at the University of Tampa was my introduction to public health. I researched the difference in microbiota (gut) composition of babies that are born by vaginal birth versus cesarean section. Not only did my research highlight how poorly the United States did compared to other developed countries when it came to maternal mortality, but also that the U.S. maternal mortality rate has more than doubled since 2000 - with more than half of these deaths being preventable.

 

Since then I have gone on to pursue my Master of Public Health and learned the importance of public health, particularly the social determinants of health and equity to prevent diseases, thereby empowering communities to improve overall health and well-being. With that said, I am excited to work with Push to drive the necessary work that will support and empower healthier mothers, children, and families. I have found it is our duty as public health professionals to take the small steps today to fix the big problems tomorrow.

 

Professional Experience:

Omari Richins is a passionate and entrepreneurial public health professional who grew up in Trinidad and Tobago and completed high school in Oman. After graduating with his Master of Public Health degree in the concentration of Health Management and Policy from the University of Florida (UF) in May of 2019, he relocated to the other side of the country where he currently works as a Community Health Fellow at the Mat-Su Health Foundation in Wasilla, Alaska. Omari has been a leader among his peers at UF, being inducted into Delta Omega Honorary Public Health Society upon graduating as well as being the President of the Public

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Health Student Association during his MPH program. He has also orally presented at the 2020 Alaska Public Health Summit as well as the 2019 Florida Rural Health Conference. Wanting to share answers to questions he wished he had during his Master of Public Health journey Omari began his website in July 2019, The Public Health Millennial (thePHmillennial.com), to give advice and build community with public health students and professionals alike. An offshoot of this, launched May 2020, was the birth of his podcast: ‘The Public Health Millennial Career Stories Podcast’. Omari’s podcast shares useful information through career stories of individuals currently working in public health or those wanting to pursue a profession in public health.