Hi there.
My name’s Dawson.
I spend a little too much of my time picturing a perfect world and subsequently find myself dreaming of ways to get there.
I grew up in North Liberty, Indiana. Needless to say, after high school, my dream was to do something in a city. So, I attended Indiana University Indianapolis, where I ended up with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) and minors in epidemiology and informatics.
I credit my indecisiveness and endless interests for my eventual route to public health. The first two (2) years of my undergraduate studies were spent on informatics, then a year of epidemiology, and then I finally found my niche in community health. Public health influenced me to consider patient care/nursing. I spent three (3) years of my undergraduate nights at the bedside of patients admitted to Ascension (Saint Vincent) Hospital and Indiana University Health in Indianapolis, Indiana, where I served as a patient care technician/assistant.
In March of 2020, my best friend and I boarded a flight for a trip to Los Angeles, California, that we had dreamed about for the duration of our friendship. Much to our surprise, we landed and unlocked our phones only to learn that our concerts and reservations were cancelled due to the emerging coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Am I to say that working bedside during a pandemic and the simultaneous study of public health cultivated a purpose to contribute to the profession of public health in Indiana? Only time will tell.
During my final semester at Indiana University Indianapolis, I was presented with an internship opportunity to conduct expedited partner therapy (EPT) research. I was able to continue my work in an expanded, full-time role that began as I concluded my senior year in December of 2021.
In August of 2022, I began my graduate studies at the University of Indianapolis. Upon completion of my coursework in April of 2024, I was awarded the Master of Public Health (MPH) Award, which is presented to “an outstanding student who demonstrates superior leadership, service, and initiative—both inside and outside the classroom—and provides evidence of a promising career in health promotion.”
Welcome to my website. I’d love to hear from you sometime.
Cheers,
Dawson
