Kayla Lin

Ensuring Equitable Access

In August 2023, Kayla Lin moved from California to Baltimore to pursue her MSPH degree—a two-year program for students who may not have work experience—in Population, Family, and Reproductive Health. Lin was passionate about medicine and dreamed of working as a pediatrician. The MSPH program was one step toward her goal. 

During the program, Lin worked at the Maryland Department of Health in the Office of Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs, as well as a research assistant for the Striving To Reach Optimal Nutrition and Growth (STRONG) Research Group, a child life volunteer within the Hopkins Children’s Center, and a volunteer with the Inclusion, Diversity, Anti-Racism, and Equity (IDARE) committee—all to gain experience and promote health equity.

“It’s mind-blowing. The network available here is so powerful,” Lin said. 

Lin grew up in Palo Alto, California, and attended Occidental College in Los Angeles, where she majored in biology and was a dual-athlete in women’s swimming and diving, and water polo. Lin had always loved athletics and, as a child, along with swimming, pursued Kendo and wrestling.

While she had always been interested in health care and medicine, Lin became interested in public health when she began an equity position within the athletics department, which focused on assisting underrepresented students within sports.   

“The overlap between athletics and the world of public health opened my eyes to a lot of things,” Lin said. “It helped broach my own insecurities of being an Asian American and gain more perspective within historically underrepresented minority groups. The representation in sports can very easily be seen in society.” 

"The network available here is so powerful" 

Lin wanted a program of study that highlighted equity work and supported her goal to become a pediatrician. She found her match with the MSPH program with a concentration in Maternal, Fetal, and Perinatal Health. The GRE was optional for her concentration, and the MSPH offered field placements in her chosen field of study. 

“I almost did not apply to Hopkins, because it's a very prestigious school. My GPA wasn't the highest, and I wasn’t planning on taking the GRE,” Lin said. “But I had all of these lived experiences and avenues of equity work that really showcased that public health is my passion.”

After her graduation, Lin began pursuing medical school with a focus on pediatrics and reproductive health, and plans to work as a primary care pediatrician supporting historically underrepresented minorities. She is currently attending Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine at the Great Falls, Montana campus and pursuing a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree.

"I want to focus and hone in on the disparities within health care and help build trust between the medical community and underserved populations"

“I want to focus and hone in on the disparities within health care and help build trust between the medical community and underserved populations,” Lin said.

The Bloomberg School is proud to accept students from all backgrounds who are passionate about public health issues. Whether you’re considering a career change or seeking to deepen your expertise in an area you’re already working in, we can help match you to a program to help you reach your goals. Fill out the form above to start receiving emails today, or check out our academic program finder to start researching which degree program is right for you.