Elisabeth Emerson

Retired Border Health Program Officer,
World Health Organization, Ministry of Health

Degree: MPP/Master of Public Health, 1987
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

Elizabeth Emerson grew up on a farm in southeastern Minnesota, where her parents instilled in her the importance of taking care of one’s health. Since then, Emerson has worked in such far-flung destinations as Bosnia-Herzegovina, Myanmar, and Mozambique helping to reduce preventable public health problems.

What led you to a career in public health?
Even as a child I could see how good health is fundamental to an enjoyable and productive life. As I grew older, I became more aware of the needless mortality and morbidity and subsequent economic burdens and lost productivity from preventable illnesses and injuries. I wanted to contribute to the reduction of those unnecessary public health problems, and I have been fortunate to be able to work in the public health sector in Minnesota and around the world.

How did your Humphrey experience help prepare you for your career?
I earned a joint degree in public health and planning, which prepared me very well for my future work. While the education at the School of Public Health made me more aware of the interrelationships of micro and macro health problems that needed to be addressed, the Humphrey School honed my skills so that I am able to successfully mediate and negotiate for changes in the public realm to try to solve those problems. Combined, it was an excellent preparation for my career.

What has been your career path?
So after graduation, I began working at the Minnesota Department of Health as a policy analyst and planner. It was “hands on” work that exposed me to the difficulties and the benefits of integrated health delivery. Little did I know how well that comprehensive grasp of public health and policy would prepare me for my next job with the World Health Organization (WHO).

I worked within the humanitarian assistance unit of the WHO and remained in that area for my 10 years with the organization. Over the years, I worked in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kuwait, Mozambique, Indonesia, East Timor, and New York. My last five years were in Thailand as the Thailand/Myanmar Border Health Program Officer. I have since volunteered on humanitarian missions to Pakistan and the Sudan.

What do you like best about your field?
I like the incredible challenge of the work and the tremendous satisfaction, when one is successful. I love the ability to interact with people at all levels, including the Ministers of Health, refugees, migrants, UN agency representatives, and NGOs. I love pulling people and organizations together, supporting the effective coordination of activities to improve the health of the world’s most vulnerable.

The World Health Organization works in close collaboration with public health officials within each country. My offices often were within the host country’s Ministry of Health. In Indonesia, I was one of three westerners working in a 3,000-person health ministry. I love this close collaboration and continue friendships with many of the people from other countries. For example, fourteen years after working in Indonesia I actively serve on the International Editorial Advisory Board of the Health Science Journal of Indonesia.

 

May, 2013