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Health Services Policy and Management (HSPM) is an interdisciplinary field concerned with the promotion of personal and public health through planning, organizing, directing, controlling, coordinating and evaluating health services.
September 3, 2024 | Erin Bluvas, bluvase@sc.edu
Ibitein Okeafor originally studied medicine at the University of Maiduguri in Nigeria, but her career soon began shifting towards public health. Working with the Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria Centre for Disease and Control, World Health Organization, and various tertiary institutions in her homeland, she was deeply influenced by the challenges and opportunities in improving health outcomes.
“I garnered a number of years of experience as an infectious disease field epidemiologist on the frontline in West Africa – successfully investigating and controlling novel disease outbreaks such as Ebola virus, Mpox virus and COVID-19,” she says. “This experience has shaped my commitment to public health and my dedication to improving health outcomes.”
After completing a Master of Public Health in Field Epidemiology at Ahmadu Bello University, Okeafor began looking into doctoral programs. She chose the Arnold School’s Ph.D. in Health Services Policy and Management (HSPM) program due to the department’s reputation for producing health policy leaders and the program’s focus on strengthening health care systems and providing personalized attention. She also valued the opportunity to pursue a Maternal and Child Health Certificate and collaborate with the USC Big Data Health Science Center.
“The HSPM department is well-regarded for its interdisciplinary approach and commitment to tackling real-world health services and policy challenges,” Okeafor says. “This aligns perfectly with my goal of improving health outcomes through effective health services delivery and informed policy development.”
During her program, the Norman J. Arnold Doctoral Fellow has taught Master of Health Administration courses as a graduate teaching assistant. She is also the recipient of the Graduate Teaching Assistant Teaching Resource Development Grant from the Center for Teaching Excellence to develop an innovative project to enhance digital learning.
Okeafor has gained research experience on projects related to COVID-19, tobacco control, pregnancy risk assessment and HPV vaccinations. Her own research has focused on critical public health challenges such as infectious diseases, maternal and child health, and mental health, and her dissertation project is aimed at improving HPV vaccination rates among adolescents.
“HPV is an infectious disease that is linked to nearly all cervical cancers and a significant percentage of other cancers,” she explains. “The highly effective HPV vaccine has the potential to nearly eliminate this disease. However, persistent low vaccination rates and health inequities pose a considerable public health challenge not only in the United States but also globally.”
During her program, Okeafor found mentors in her advisor, HSPM associate professor Nicole Hair, who has helped her think critically about the tangible impacts of her work on public health policy and practice, and epidemiology assistant professor Mufaro Kanyangarara, who helped her strengthen her skills and proficiency in maternal and child health research and practice.
As a Junior Scholar with the South Carolina SmartState Center for Healthcare Quality, Okeafor connected with HSPM associate professor Jan Ostermann and biostatistics professor Jiajia Zhang. Within the HSPM department, she credits chair Brad Wright with fostering a supportive and empowering environment that enables students to excel.
“The unwavering mentorship support and guidance have been instrumental in my growth and success, and I am deeply grateful for it,” Okeafor says.
Though she has a few years left to enjoy Columbia’s diverse and welcoming community, she’s already thinking about her post-graduation plans. Okeafor plans to lead groundbreaking research initiatives on a national and international scale.
“My goal is to spearhead efforts to address health disparities and shape public health policies related to combating infectious diseases, both in my home country and worldwide,” she says. “Alongside my research pursuits, I am deeply passionate about educating and mentoring students – making a mark in academia is a crucial part of my aspirations. This degree will provide me with the cutting-edge skills, connections, and guidance necessary to drive significant and positive change in the arena of public health, especially in settings with limited resources.”