Catherine Rischar, BSPH, graduated in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree with a minor in psychology from the Kent State University’s College of Public Health. During her undergraduate studies, Rischar represented the college on the 2021 Kent State Homecoming Court, made the Dean’s and/or President’s list every semester, served as secretary for the Public Health Student Alliance and graduated with Honors - Delta Omega Society.
Utilizing the skills gained through her education, experiences, and activities, she now serves as health educator and district 1 Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) coordinator at Richland Public Health in Mansfield, Ohio. PREP is an evidence-based program that aims to provide a comprehensive, medically accurate sexual health education, including adulthood preparatory subjects to youth in northwest Ohio.
Tell us about what a typical day may look like in your current role.
I manage a federally funded grant program called PREP, in which I cover the 20 northwest counties of Ohio. I also work to recruit new youth serving agencies to facilitate this curriculum with their youth, train them on the contents of the curriculum, provide adults with supplemental continuing education workshops, run quarterly coalition meetings, maintain the integrity of the grant by managing youth cohorts at active PREP agencies, work with the Ohio Department of Youth Services to uphold the duties of this grant, as well as an abundant amount of community outreach not only for the PREP program, but for Richland Public Health as well.
Tell us your favorite story about how your public health career impacted an individual or a community.
Health disparities was one of my favorite courses that I took while completing my degree. I now work on a program that is primarily geared towards serving the at-risk youth population and seeing firsthand the lack of sexual health education has been truly eye-opening. I now find passion in providing that important education to those youth and building relationships with them has been truly rewarding. Their feedback has shown me how much they have learned, how kindness and compassion have impacted them, and how much they appreciated the education that will lead them down a successful path ahead. If I had not been a public health student and taken the health disparities course, I wouldn’t have realized how I could help serve those populations.
How do you feel the College of Public Health prepared you for your career?
The College of Public Health had prepared me tremendously for the career that I am in now. I received an education that stretched across the entire public health platform, in which I had been educated on almost every primary topic that is relevant to public health work. I was provided with an abundant amount of networking opportunities, and even a job for the college, which allowed me to form connections and relationships with the honorable faculty that surpassed that which I had solely in the classroom. The college also provided me with a well-rounded and encompassing education, with the proper tools in my toolbelt to step into the real world of public health, along with a team of highly respected supporters behind me that never led me astray even after graduation.
Did you earn any additional certificates? If so, what certificates?
I received a Question. Persuade. Refer. (QPR) Suicide Prevention Certification, Mental Health First Aid Certification, Awareness. Interaction. Direction. (AID) Certification, and CPR Certification.
Was there someone in the college that had an impact on you?
Many members of the college have impacted my collegiate experience, but one staff member stands out: Kimberly Yodice. From day one, she supported me with unwavering kindness, compassion, and guidance, helping me discover opportunities I would not have found on my own. During my college career, I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn’s Disease, and Pilonidal Disease while working for the college, and Yodice supported me through my diagnosis, health challenges, and academics. She helped me succeed as a student and employee, build meaningful connections, and become deeply involved in the college. Because of her support, I secured my first post-graduation role at University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center in the Clinical Trials Unit, working in gastrointestinal oncology research. Even now, she continues to check in on me, invites me back for events, and keeps me connected to the College of Public Health. Her impact extends beyond my education: she has profoundly shaped my personal growth and the person I am today.
What are your professional goals?
I would like to earn my master’s in public health and complete my Certified Health Education Specialist exam in order to grow professionally in the field of public health.
What would you say to a high school student considering public health for their degree program?
I would encourage high school students who are interested in working in healthcare to look into the field of public health. It is such a vast field that is exceptionally dynamic that encompasses numerous different routes and avenues within the field. From environmental health work, to nursing, research and clinical trials, infectious and zoonotic diseases, to public health policy and/or healthcare administration, just to name a few. One can truly do so much unique and important work in the field of public health that it is certainly worth exploring.
How do you see AI positively impacting public health?
As we are becoming more aware of AI’s presence and capabilities, we can safely assume that it is going to become more prominent in the field of public health as it continues to advance. I personally think that AI is going to result in more accurate disease surveillance, assist with predicting and monitoring potential outbreaks, as well as help with patient assistance in the healthcare setting. AI is growing, evolving and becoming more advanced daily, so it will be very interesting to watch it continue to make modern advancements in the field of public health in the years to come.
Is there any additional information you’d like to share?
I would just like to add that I had the most wonderful experience at Kent State University, and I am exceptionally grateful that I decided to enter the field of public health. This university, and more specifically, the experience at the College of Public Health, truly shaped me into the public health professional I am today.