PPHI Alumni

Madeline Baker
Madeline Baker worked as an AmeriCorps service member from October 2020 to October 2021.

Briefly describe your duties while at PPHI.
“It’s difficult to describe all of my duties, as I worked on multiple teams throughout the week, including the nutrition team, VIP/SPARKK, IRISE, Reach Out and Read, Parent Partners, Flint Youth Justice League, etc. I would say that generally, my duty was to support existing PPHI staff and to connect with the Flint community regarding resources distribution to improve the health of Flint Kids.”

How did your experience at PPHI influence your current employment and /or studies and your future career?
“As a result of my experience at PPHI, I decided to pursue a Master's in public health. I am also currently applying to dental school and hope that my continued education and experience in the field of public health will lead me to be a healthcare provider that fights for equitable access to dental care.”

Currently Madeline is attending an MPH program and working full-time as a dental assistant, where she is “Assisting a dentist with procedures, sterilization of instruments and rooms, maintenance of inventory, scheduling of appointments, use of intraoral scanner for appliances, etc.”

Kahlil Calvin
Kahlil Calvin worked from April 2020 to June 2022 as a professional aide.

Briefly describe your duties while at PPHI.
“I was a part of the Referral Team, which verified participant information and sent referrals out to service providers that could best address the participants needs.”

How did your experience at PPHI influence your current employment and /or studies and your future career?
“Currently a med student, having a background in public health has provided insight into how we address the needs of patients directly and indirectly”

Currently he is enrolled in the Morehouse School of Medicines MD Program.

Adam Flood
Adam Flood worked from 12/26/2018 - 03/06/2020 as the research process coordinator

Briefly describe your duties while at PPHI.
“While at PPHI I worked for the Exposure Assessment team on the IRISE research study. IRISE: Impact of Resilience, Interventions, Stress and Environmental Exposure measured primary and secondary factors affecting the overall negative impact of lead exposure experienced by infants living in Flint, MI during the time of the Flint Water Crisis. In my position I assisted in the development of recruitment strategy of mothers and children for IRISE and helped in the recruitment of over 150 mothers and children via phone screens and mailings for the study. In addition to the recruitment and screening efforts, I also assisted in interviewing mothers, child tooth collection, and any additional follow-up communication that was required for the IRISE study.”

How did your experience at PPHI influence your current employment and /or studies and your future career?
“The experiences I had while working at PPHI significantly impacted both my respective academic and career trajectories. PPHI provided an ideal setting that allowed me to gain valuable skills though the participation of meaningful public health research while also allowing me to make a positive impact throughout the Flint community. During my time at PPHI I was compelled to pursue further education in the field of public health and eventually matriculated into a Master of Public Health program while continuing my role within PPHI. Having since obtained my MPH, my experiences at PPHI have only continued to influence my career path, as I recently began my PhD candidacy at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, where I hope to continue to solidify my public health skillset that PPHI helped to build.”

He has continued his education at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor and earned Master of Public Health and Master of Public Policy. He currently attends George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health working to earn a Doctor of Philosophy in Social and Behavioral Sciences in Public Health. He is not currently working.

Kadira Sahic
Kadira Sahic worked as a Flint Recovery Corps member serving at PPHI from January 2018 - July 2018.

Briefly describe your duties while at PPHI.
“Assisting with IRISE research study, distributing information & resources to Flint families, enrolling families in Double Up Food Bucks and Imagination Library programs, helping families shop at the Food Farmacy.”

How did your experience at PPHI influence your current employment and /or studies and your future career?
“PPHI renewed my passion for working with, and advocating for, children. I enrolled back in college after a 10-year hiatus, in pursuit of an elementary education degree. I am currently a junior and have maintained a 4.0 for the past two years. PPHI changed everything for me!”

Kadira is currently pursuing a bachelors in elementary education at Cleveland State University and works part-time as a manager at McDonald’s.