Student Profiles
Full-time Students
Sabah Bari, MPH '26
Tell us about yourself!
I am a first-generation Bengali American raised on Long Island, NY. I graduated with a B.S. in Health Science with a concentration in Public Health from Stony Brook University in May 2024. I’m passionate about bridging the gap between clinical care and public health. My experiences range from leading advocacy initiatives and promoting diversity in healthcare to hands-on clinical work both in the U.S. and Bangladesh. Through my family charity, the Bari Charity Foundation, we support orphanages in villages across Bangladesh by providing education, food distribution, and clothing drives. Additionally, we volunteer in the greater NY region, supporting underserved communities with vaccination efforts, blood drives, and food donations. As the first woman in my family to pursue higher education, I carry the love and prayers of my family with me, which continues to inspire my commitment to making a meaningful impact in healthcare.How do you see Mailman, and specifically HPM, meeting with your academic and professional goals?
Mailman’s interdisciplinary approach and emphasis on real-world application are a perfect fit for my academic and professional goals. The HPM program offers a strong foundation in health systems management and policy analysis, while also emphasizing policy writing and professional development. These experiences are helping me build the skills and knowledge needed to navigate complex healthcare challenges. As Co-President of ENGAGE, an organization dedicated to bridging public health and clinical medicine, I’m passionate about fostering collaboration between these fields to improve patient outcomes. My summer APEx internship in the Emergency Department at Columbia NewYork-Presbyterian will further allow me to apply what I’m learning in a practical setting.What do you hope to gain from this experience?
During my time in graduate school, I hope to deepen my understanding of the U.S. healthcare system, particularly in healthcare policy implementation, while expanding my analytical and leadership skills. Collaborating with experienced faculty, healthcare professionals, and peers will provide valuable perspectives and insights. I’m excited to work on projects that address healthcare disparities and contribute to meaningful policy solutions. Coming from a family thathas always emphasized the importance of giving back, I’m passionate about using my education to be a part of building a more just and equitable healthcare system.
Victoria Rentrop, MPH '26
Tell us about yourself!
Originally from Germany, I turned my food blog into a business when I was 16 and saw the great impact that nutrition can have on people. Since then, all I wanted was to empower others to take ownership over their own health, which is for me most crucial to prioritize in developing countries. A fast forward 6 years, trips all around the globe, a degree in health sciences and technology management later, I moved to NYC! And honestly, I cannot put into words how much admiration I have for the city! Hot take: among all the cuisines I tried here, I think polish is the best! I am a foodie, love hosting dinner-parties, started running and recently ran the Brooklyn half marathon.How do you see Mailman, and specifically HPM, meeting with your academic and professional goals?
The Department offers exactly the blend of policy insight, quantitative skills, and real‑world engagement I need to turn my passion for health innovation into impact. Courses and faculty mentorship really deepen my understanding of implementation science and health‑tech strategy, while especially startup competitions and research opportunities let me test ideas in New York’s vibrant health‑care ecosystem. I’m also exploring a future PhD. Conversations with HPM professors have already clarified possible pathways here, which is so helpful to get started! As president of Columbia Healthcare Ventures (CHV), I’m excited to tap the department’s expertise and network to introduce more students to entrepreneurship and venture capital, which is another great aspect that the Department offers!What do you hope to gain from this experience?
I would love to look back at my time at Mailman and say that I seized every opportunity aligned with my purpose: from rigorous coursework and collaborative research to student‑led ventures and community service. I aim to stay in New York after graduation, and I expect that my work with CHV —and the connections I build through HPM—will anchor me even more firmly in the city’s entrepreneurial and public‑health communities! And of course: I have already gained so many new friendships and just purely magical dinners in the city that never sleeps!
Cassidy Stoddart, MPH '26
Tell us about yourself!
My name is Cassidy Stoddart, and I was raised in the town of Suwanee, Georgia, a suburban community in the Atlanta area. My passion for public health stemmed from my observations of the stark health disparities that I noticed as I would cross the railroad tracks where I became aware of the adverse health effects of gentrification on the minoritized populations. These disparities weigh heavily onto the morbidity rates in black communities which were larger impacted by the presence of specialty care providers and grocery stores along with the intensity of law enforcement of policing in politically targeted neighborhoods.My collection of observations sparked my interest to take my studies to the University of Alabama at Birmingham to study Medical Sociology. While there I constructed my academic foundation based on the upstream approach which considers the systemic factors that influence the quality of life among minorities in metropolitan areas. With this knowledge, I sought supplementary training through the UAB Heersink School of Medicine and Purdue University where I deepened my understanding of utilizing empirically based data to support and illustrate these social determinants through actionable policy.
Altogether, these experiences motivated me to seek practical learning experiences. Mailman’s MPH program offers this opportunity through the Health Policy and Management department where I engage in problem identification through project mapping and policy creation.
How do you see Mailman, and specifically HPM, meeting with your academic and professional goals?
What brought me to the Mailman School of Public Health is that the school offers a holistic approach to identifying and approaching public health issues. This is evident in the CORE that we engaged in during our first semester. During this time, we were exposed to various factories of the public health field ranging from understanding the economics of health insurance to mapping globally based public health intervention programs. This program structure has assured my confidence in engaging in project management and discussion in interdisciplinary workspaces by working with other students based on other departments.The HPM department fosters a networking culture. This is evident through our professional communications course where we build our confidence through our student profiles for our fellow students and faculty to review and prepare us to enter our future profession. Additionally, the department host and promotes conferences and alumni mixers that promote early-career professional relationship building through the utilization of Columbia’s connections that are provided to us.
What do you hope to gain from this experience?
After graduation, I anticipate walking away from Columbia with heightened confidence in my public health leadership skills. Thus far, Columbia has been supportive in my aspirations beyond the classroom, through my on and off campus leadership experience in the Mailman Journalism Club, participation in Columbia's Healthcare Ventures program and in City Council campaigns.These opportunities have challenged my methods in solution building and becoming more receptive to alternative ways of critical thinking. Additionally, I hope to build meaningful relationships with students and faculty within Columbia’s campus along with professionals beyond the public health scope in NYC which altogether crafts a holistic profile for future employers and opportunities.
Salome (Sally) Margalitachvili, MHA '26
Tell us about yourself!
My passion for public health began at a young age through my annual trips to visit family in the Republic of Georgia. Initially focused on interacting with health and healthcare through dentistry, I became increasingly fascinated with public policy, economics, and sociology, leading me to my bachelor’s degree in public health from the University of Pittsburgh. Alongside my academic journey, I was deeply involved in addressing food insecurity in the Pittsburgh region, managing the Pitt Pantry, the on-campus food pantry. I was also fortunate to contribute to revising the Public Health Emergency Law Manual for the D.C. Department of Health. This opportunity helped me become well-versed in laws and regulations related to workplace and school vaccine mandates, as well as venue and store closures in D.C. and other U.S. states.However, it was my role as an administration intern at UPMC Kane, a critical access hospital, that steered me toward health administration. There, I witnessed the profound impact that a collaborative, accessible, and supportive administration can have on the quality of care medical staff provides. I also saw how well-intentioned health policies can sometimes harm the populations they are meant to help. This experience, combined with my desire to become proficient in strategic business management, led me to pursue an MHA degree at Mailman. Outside of academics and my professional life, I am an avid reader, and I enjoy attending workout classes as well as Broadway/ off-Broadway shows and plays.
How do you see Mailman, and specifically HPM, meeting with your academic and professional goals?
With my background in public health, I’ve always advocated for comprehensive and generous social safety nets, whether through federal programs or non-profits. To support these initiatives effectively, I need to develop the skills to create persuasive proposals for stakeholders and, more importantly, funders. Mailman has already helped me move closer to this goal through MHA courses such as accounting, finance, strategic management, and marketing. More importantly, I’ve gained confidence in my knowledge and skills through Mailman’s networking events and on-campus competitions, which foster innovation and leadership.What do you hope to gain from this experience?
I hope that my time at Mailman and the MHA degree will equip me with the essential knowledge and skills to begin my healthcare career and eventually make a meaningful impact by being an effective employee and a collaborative colleague.
EJ Kelley, MPH '26
Tell us about yourself!
I’m passionate about policy and technology innovations that can help improve health care outcomes, affordability, and abundance in the U.S. Drawing on my undergraduate background studying economic development, I view population health and health equity as among the most important priorities for national, state, and local policy. Prior to Mailman, I spent four years working in strategy and analytics roles across multiple health care contexts. I helped build and implement a national K-12 school COVID-19 testing program, developed modeling frameworks to evaluate the health impacts of climate change, and worked to improve and simplify digital health plan experiences for seniors. My work experience has helped hone my current focus on Medicare and Medicaid, and I am particularly excited about the potential for federal and state policies to increase investment in health-related social needs.How do you see Mailman, and specifically HPM, meeting with your academic and professional goals?
The HPM Department at Mailman has been instrumental in providing me with the new skills and relationships I need to achieve the impact I want. In my career, I want to help create and implement health policies that move the needle on our biggest challenges in health care. This requires me to develop a deeper understanding of all aspects of the health care landscape, to build out my policy analysis and political strategy toolkits, and to broaden my network of relationships in the health care world. The amazing community and resources at Mailman have helped me work toward these goals so I am prepared to accelerate my impact when I return to the workforce.What do you hope to gain from this experience?
To me, the biggest perk of graduate school is that learning has become my new full-time job. I knew HPM would give me the opportunity to learn more about the parts of the health care system that have long interested me but that I haven’t always had the time to explore in depth. This learning has come through classes and lectures, through personal reading and research, and perhaps most of all, through conversations where I’ve been able to learn from incredible Mailman alumni working across the health care world.
Joseph Jun, MPH '26
Tell us about yourself!
I am from Birmingham, Alabama and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania focusing on Neuroscience and Healthcare Management, but entrepreneurship has always been my passion. As a founder, I’ve been fortunate to combine my love for meeting new people with problem-solving by exploring the issues of integrated safety devices and caregiver reimbursements. Building communities of empathy and bold ideas is one of my central pillars, so I am currently volunteering to help build the United Korean Founders nonprofit to create an entrepreneurial ecosystem that stretches across the Pacific. Otherwise, I balance my life with art history and ultimate frisbee.How do you see Mailman, and specifically HPM, meeting with your academic and professional goals?
Mailman is the perfect launchpad for what I aim to do: bridge innovation and public policy. I previously cofounded a safety device startup to protect students but had to revise my perception of policy after discovering that many campuses outlaw such safety measures. My experience as Chair of External Partnerships at Columbia Healthcare Ventures has taught me the importance of interoperability in policy and innovation. The HPM department provides a unique opportunity to learn from alumni who have pursued healthcare entrepreneurship. I am most excited to learn from the acclaimed faculty and the diverse experiences of my fellow peers.What do you hope to gain from this experience?
I would like to explore the increased Artificial Intelligence burden on water scarcity and climate security. I hope to leave Mailman with sharper analytical skills, a deeper understanding of health systems and justice, and a network of peers and mentors who challenge me to think differently. The Mailman experience is a springboard, and I hope to use it to grow as a public health professional.
Kyle Hamilton, MHA ' 26
Tell us about yourself!
Hello, my name is Kyle Hamilton and I am a full-time Master’s of Health Administration candidate in the Mailman School of Public Health. I was born and raised in Plant City, FL–a small town outside Tampa, FL. Before starting at Mailman, I graduated from the University of Florida, in May of 2024, with a dual degree in Public Health and Women’s Studies, with a concentration in Health Equity and Social Justice. When I started undergrad, I bounced around to several disciplines of study before realizing the professional path I wanted to take. I like to joke that I went from Pre-Med to Pre-Law, to Pre-nothing. Though I was always unsure what the future would bring, I knew one thing for sure: I wanted to help people. With the help of great mentors and professors, I learned that I could pursue a healthcare career and still uplift marginalized communities without being a practicing clinician. This thinking eventually led me to apply to Health Administration programs as I found it to be the best use of my leadership skills and interest in public health. Outside of my time as a graduate student, I enjoy trips to Manhattan’s local museums, traveling with friends, and discovering new music.How do you see Mailman, and specifically HPM, meeting with your academic and professional goals?
Though I am only halfway through my program, Mailman has acted as a catalyst for my professional career. When I was considering graduate programs, I knew that I wanted to be challenged as a student and a leader. Upon starting the FT MHA program, I have had the chance to grow through the challenges of graduate school. Looking at my professional career, the professors and faculty at Mailman, specifically the HPM Department, have continuously pushed me to be better. Each course has widely expanded my knowledge of the healthcare sector whilst encouraging independent critical thinking–core skills I hoped to gain when starting at Columbia. The professors here are truly some of the most inspiring and talented individuals I have ever encountered and working with them has curated the healthcare leader that I aspire to be. I also strongly believe that the Alumni network associated with the Health Policy & Management Department is unbeatable. After countless coffee chats and professional development opportunities, I can wholeheartedly say that the network here is one that perpetually seeks to help others.What do you hope to gain from this experience?
Being a Florida native, it was always a dream to move to New York City, especially for a school like Columbia. When coming here, I wanted to gain a stronger understanding of the healthcare world as well as develop myself into a qualified candidate for the workforce. However, one of the most important things I hope to gain is a strong sense of community. Though the ‘hard skills’ of graduate school are important, I have found that making meaningful connections with people is just as important, if not more, important than developing ‘hard skills.’ Since starting my program, I have had the opportunity to find a strong LGBTQ+ community that has welcomed me as I am and it has been so validating. By connecting with other queer leaders/mentors in healthcare, I have been able to develop a strong sense of self that has allowed me to flourish at Mailman.
Part-time MHA Students
Michael Henne, PT MHA '26
Tell us about yourself!
I’m a born and raised New Yorker, growing up and spending a majority of my life on Long Island. I graduated with my B.S. in Athletic Training from Stony Brook University in 2013 and joined the Columbia family with the Department of Orthopedic Surgery in the summer of 2015, working under William N. Levine, MD, Frank Stinchfield Professor and Chair. In 2020, I was nominated to be the Young Professional Committee Chair for the New York State Athletic Trainers’ Association, helping newly certified ATs find their way in the profession and make meaningful connections to advance their careers, while maintaining engagement & involvement within the profession. When not at work, you can usually find me running, swimming, cooking, traveling with my wife and twin boys, and spending time with family and friends.How do you see Mailman, and specifically HPM, meeting with your academic and professional goals?
I've always valued connections and believed that it's all about who you know. Mailman has an incredible network of professors and alumni, doing incredible things in the world of healthcare, both public and private. Because the coursework is both challenging and thought provoking, it helps to push the envelope of what one can accomplish. Also, the people here, especially those in my cohort, are incredible and I really couldn't do any of this without them.What do you look forward to in the part-time program?
Being a lifelong clinician, I'm hoping that my time at Mailman helps me to bridge the gap between clinicians and administration, benefiting not only patients but the providers that serve them. I know the people I've met along the way will not only help me reach those goals but excel in them.
Raj Islam, MHA '26
Tell us about yourself!
I’m a lifelong New Yorker, born and raised in the Bronx! My love for healthcare came at an early age, when I received a toy stethoscope and white coat for my fifth birthday. Fast forward to today, I see myself making my greatest contribution to health care not as a doctor, but as a public health professional. I currently work as a finance and grants specialist to help researchers acquire funding for population health studies and clinical trials. Over the past three years, my role has taught me how vast our healthcare system is, and the importance of being detail-oriented. As someone who loves to learn and enjoys new challenges, I knew Columbia’s MHA program would allow me to continue in my healthcare journey.How do you see Mailman, and specifically HPM, meeting with your academic and professional goals?
As I plan to work in healthcare consulting, I am working to hone my leadership and managerial skills, sharpen my quantitative and qualitative aptitude, and undergo specialized training for working with health systems. I believe that the Mailman faculty will provide the support and lessons I need to accomplish this. The Mailman School is full of highly experienced individuals who have and continue to fight for health equity, conduct professional research and analysis for improving responses to different healthcare issues, and lead initiatives for high quality care in the community.What do you look forward to in the part-time program?
In addition to better understanding the healthcare system and the ways in which we can affect public health, I hope to be a part of a community that will leave a lasting footprint on the state of public health in America. While my colleagues and I are “just students” and “employees”, many of us share a vision of improving the status quo in healthcare.
Executive Students
Jay Hayes, EXEC '26
Tell us about yourself!
I am the lead for Health and Life Science Innovation out of Accenture’s New York Innovation Hub. Originally from Illinois, I have lived in New York City for the last 16 years. I attended New York University’s Stern School of Business for my undergraduate degree and have been at Accenture for the last 13 years serving in a variety of different consulting practices from technology implementation to innovation strategy. I spend 6-8 hours a week volunteering with SAGE’s (Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders) Friendly Visitor program. I'm motivated by solving the “unsolvable” and advocating for underserved patient and community populations.How do you see Mailman, and specifically HPM, meeting with your academic and professional goals?
As a lifelong learner, I'm passionate about taking new learnings and applying them to current projects and initiatives I am involved in. The Exec MPH program in HPM helps me not only learn about long standing systemic structures and processes in Healthcare, but also about current events and trends in Health Policy and Management that is relevant to my team and clients at work.What do you hope to gain from this experience?
I hope to gain new learnings and insights about effective and innovative healthcare leadership, but I'm also excited about different methods and frameworks for continuous learning. HPM does a good job and teaching their students not just what to learn but how best to learn it. Finally, the best part of this program is the friends I have made with the Exec cohorts and our professors. We all bring the best out in each other!
