Date September 11, 2023
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Ten on the 10s: Allegra Scharff MPH '17

In celebration of Brown SPH's 10th Anniversary, we're featuring an alum on the 10th of each month who is advancing public health right here in Rhode Island. Allegra Scharff, a 2017 Brown MPH graduate, is Chief of Healthcare Equity at the RI Department of Health, where she leads community health, education and DEI initiatives. We asked Allegra how her Brown experience has shape her public health career.

How does your Brown training impact your work as Chief of Healthcare Equity at the Rhode Island Department of Health?

Before coming to Brown I had been working in health equity for years without knowing the name for it. At Brown, I learned that this was an emerging field and that Rhode Island was at the forefront. I also learned that there were lots of opportunities to support this work in meaningful ways as a public health practitioner.

In my studies, I was able to look deeply into place as a driver of health through courses with Professors Dulin, Brockman and Braun. And I was exposed to the Health Equity Zones (HEZ) initiative through a presentation by the former Directors of RIDOH and HEZ community-level leaders. My exposure to this course work and to local initiatives shaped my professional trajectory.

“ I am encouraged by how intentionally and deeply SPH has expanded their health equity work within the curriculum and in practice through school policies. ”

Allegra Scharff MPH'17

You arrived at Brown when the School was very new. What are your thoughts about the School of Public Health at its 10-year anniversary?

Since graduating from Brown I have continued to stay involved through the MPH curriculum committee and working with MPH students as research assistants. I am encouraged by how intentionally and deeply SPH has expanded their health equity work within the curriculum and in practice through school policies. When we posted our latest research assistantship opportunity we received over ten applications from first year MPH students, many of whom were Health Equity Scholars. This is a program that didn’t exist when I was at Brown and I applaud its addition and its impact on engaging students who want to be in this area of the public health profession. It is also encouraging that Brown is working to increase accessibility by offering an online option.

What’s your best advice for aspiring public health professionals?

I meet with a lot of public health students and young professionals who are about to kick off their public health career and get asked the same question: ‘How do I get to your position at the Rhode Island Department of Health?’ My response is always that my work with the community is a big reason why I am in public service right now. You learn a tremendous amount being in the thick of where public health matters most—in neighborhoods, schools—and I would recommend starting there, in the community, before becoming a public servant.

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10 Year Stories Community engagement Alumni News

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