Student Spotlight: Improving Quality & Connection

The first involves designing and implementing surveys to gather feedback on PACE-RI’s transportation services. The second, focuses on improving the PACE-RI internship experience for graduate and undergraduate students from local universities, including Brown, to maximize mutual benefits from the program.

“I’m personally taking surveys, meeting patients and talking to them to understand their perspectives,” Nickpour said. “It's more than just filling out a paper; it’s about making sure they're heard.”

We spoke with Nickpour about her Online MPH Practicum experience.

How did you get involved with PACE-RI?

I got this internship through the SPH Office of Community Engagement, for which I’m eternally grateful. They created this opportunity for me, someone without a public health background. I applied for many internships, but most required public health work experience, which I didn't have. This opportunity allowed me to use my skills, even though my background was owning a salon, which is largely about customer service.

Just last week at PACE, I spoke with a patient. Before she completed her survey, I asked her what she wanted to happen and how we could help improve services. Her response was, “I want to talk to you more. I want you to be here more.” In her survey, she wrote a heartfelt thank you. These are the moments that matter most. My ultimate goal is to be a voice for those who feel unheard.

What motivated you to pursue public health training?

I'm originally from Iran, and I had my daughter at a very young age. In order to ensure that my daughter had opportunities to thrive, I decided to pack a suitcase and immigrate to the United States. My daughter has been very successful in her career in finance. Once she was established, I could focus on myself and my education.

I decided to go back to school and started my academic journey at UMass Dartmouth with a degree in Leadership and Management. I was inspired by one of my elective courses, which was on the effects of socioeconomic status on overall health. I live in North Andover, which is near Lawrence, Massachusetts, one of the lowest-income cities in the state, with a high ratio of immigrants.

I started researching the disparities between these two neighboring towns. In Lawrence, the amount spent per meal is much lower than in Andover, and rates of obesity and hypertension are much higher. These health issues are closely linked to socioeconomic status, and many problems arise not by choice, but because of how the system is designed.

For example, undocumented immigrants are unable to get a driver’s license, which makes it impossible for them to access the free healthy food provided by social services located miles away. Low-income communities are filled with fast-food restaurants and convenience stores, but you rarely see major grocery chains or healthy food stores.

This lack of access is not a choice, but a systemic issue. Language barriers, lack of awareness of available resources and health illiteracy all contribute to the problem. It’s easy to blame undocumented immigrants for driving up health care costs, but there are systemic patterns that lead to these issues.

What is your academic focus at Brown?

I was attracted to Brown’s Online MPH degree program because it allows for a broad range of studies. The interconnectedness of different areas, like the social determinants of health, is something I’m very passionate about.

What really interests me is food. Everything we eat carries information and affects our bodies. Healthy food shouldn’t be a privilege. Many people don’t cook or understand the value of food. It’s not just about filling your stomach; it's about fueling your body properly. It’s like putting the right kind of fuel in a car.

Our bodies need good food and ingredients, but much of what we eat is filled with chemicals and pesticides. Processed food and alcohol are considered carcinogens by the World Health Organization, yet they’re commonly consumed here.

I’m passionate about teaching people about food and cooking, starting at a young age. We can’t feed our children chicken nuggets and sugary drinks, then expect them to grow into healthy adults. The current system treats illness after it occurs, but we need to address health at its source. It’s often too late when someone is an adult facing health challenges. 

Do you think you’ll still feel like a public health outsider once you graduate from the MPH program?

I hope not—I really hope that changes. While many people are anxious to graduate, I’m anxious knowing I only have one more year left. I feel like I need to pack as many tools into my toolbox as I can. It’s almost like I never want to leave Brown because there’s so much to learn. The more you learn, the more you realize how little you know.

I’m trying to be involved in as much as possible. I apply to every internship and opportunity I see to gain more experience and knowledge. I just want to learn. Even if it’s something I don't end up agreeing with, it’s still valuable to understand it and make an informed decision. Education and information are everything, and being in a setting like Brown ensures the information I receive is reliable and unbiased.

It sounds like PACE-RI is very glad that Sarah Bouchard from SPH’s Office of Community Engagement was able to connect you to their internship.

When we last met, I ended up crying, which is unusual for me. I’m not one to cry over problems; I usually just power through. But Sarah has touched my life in a way that made me feel truly seen and included. It’s clear that, as humans, we all want to be acknowledged and feel part of something. Sarah has made me feel genuinely included in this community, which is incredibly important to me.

It’s not just about what we give to these organizations; it’s also about what we receive in return. Sarah’s approach has been lovely and impactful. During our meetings, she has an amazing ability to summarize everything succinctly, showing that she listens carefully to every word. I hope her contributions are recognized because she has made a significant difference for me.

I bring a lot of experience to the table, and my journey has been quite unique. Unlike most people, I started by getting married and raising a child before going back to education. This unconventional path has given me a different perspective. For me, pursuing education is about being impactful and acquiring the tools needed to make a difference, even if it’s incremental.