April 27, 2022 | Erin Bluvas, bluvase@sc.edu
As a ballet dancer who spent several hours training each week and performed in multiple professional productions each year, Annalee Brody was no stranger to injury while growing up. Whether they were her colleagues’ or her own, these injuries often sidelined the dancers and led Brody to become more conscious of health and wellness.
When looking for a college to explore her interests further, a UofSC alumnus/family friend encouraged the New Jersey native to check out his alma mater.
“He had nothing but positive things to say about the school – which was rare compared to students from other schools who often added a ‘but’ after listing their favorite things about their universities,” Brody says. “When I came to visit UofSC, I knew he was right. Everyone was so enthusiastic about the school and wanted to share their experiences. It made me really excited about college, and I knew immediately Columbia was the place I had to be.”
I learned how I could make an impact on a larger level and how each of these levels intertwine into the healthcare system we know today.
-Annalee Brody, B.S. in Public Health 2022
That first campus visit, which took place during Brody’s senior year of high school, was also instrumental to helping her select a major. She says that Arnold School students clearly had a stronger passion and enthusiasm for their education and experiences.
“Once in school, my decision was affirmed,” Brody says. “I learned how I could make an impact on a larger level and how each of these levels intertwine into the healthcare system we know today. And most importantly, what opportunities there were for its improvement – a mission I knew I wanted to be a part of as I pursued my future career.”
During her program, the Capstone Fellow connected with advisor Morgan Collins, who helped Brody navigate her college experience and always provided support and career advice. She also found a mentor in clinical associate professor Charlotte Galloway, who smoothed out the bumpy road presented by the COVID-19 pandemic and helped Brody recognize and focus on her strengths.
After helping Brody identify her passion for health policy, Galloway introduced her to Arnold School alumna Katie Zenger (MPH 2011). Brody gained hands-on experience working with Zenger at her Columbia-based consulting firm (Zenger Strategies) and with the UofSC Connect Lab to increase physical activity among children.
From the implementation of new technology to the emphasis on health equity, I want to be a part of the changemakers who see a brighter, healthier future for all.
-Annalee Brody, B.S. in Public Health 2022
Last summer, Brody completed a health research training program with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and has since served as a research intern for the agency. One of the projects, which assessed services and supports for residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities, helped Brody develop an interest in healthcare management and the application of emerging technologies. The team discovered opportunities and gaps that could be addressed through the adoption of new technologies, such as video conferencing and telehealth software.
“I am very interested in what developments lie ahead and how we can go about bringing cutting-edge technology, such as virtual and augmented reality, into the healthcare scene and using them to increase accessibility to populations who do not have many care options,” says Brody, who will return to NYC after graduation to join the health solutions division at Aon. “From the implementation of new technology to the emphasis on health equity, I want to be a part of the changemakers who see a brighter, healthier future for all.”