From the Northeast to the Midwest: Public Health Education

Posted on: July 27, 2017Chicago

My name is Devon Martinez, and I am more than excited to serve with National Health Corps Chicago! I am from Buffalo, NY (Go Bills!). I graduated from The George Washington University in 2016 with a degree in Organizational Sciences and Public Health. I am passionate about bringing awareness to public health in underserved communities, specifically sexual reproductive health in urban public high schools. After NHC, I hope to pursue a career in the non-profit public sector working with sexual reproductive health relating to HIV/AIDS, public health education, and accessible resources for affordable healthcare.

This past year, I served with AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps Southwest. Through NCCC I was able to travel throughout the southwest U.S. with a diverse team of 12 young adults completing team-based national service work ranging from youth development, food security, and disaster relief. While serving with AmeriCorps NCCC, I was able to experience firsthand the absence of reproductive health education in America's public schools. Given my opportunity with NHC, I am committed to developing Chicago's reproductive health education system. I have a deep passion for national service and could not be more thrilled to spend another year in national service with AmeriCorps through National Health Corps Chicago.

Outside of service, I enjoy playing volleyball, reading, eating my weight in ramen, and anything having to do with the outdoors. With the approaching year, I am looking forward to immersing myself in all things public health, while adventuring through Chicago. I am eager to serve Chicago's diverse and culturally-rich communities with Erie Family Health Center—Lakeview through educational programs dedicated to sexual reproductive health. Although I am grateful to have travelled extensively with NCCC, I am thrilled to plant roots in Chicago and explore everything this wonderful Midwest city has to offer!


This blog post was written by NHC Chicago 2017-18 member Devon Martinez.

Devon will be a Health Educator at Erie Family Health Center- Lakeview.