Since her graduation last year, Emily Hathcock ‘23 has taken postgraduate life by the horns. Hathcock went on to pursue a career in public health at the University of North Carolina with a masters in public health (MPH). 

Hathcock came back to Spartanburg to give a talk on what going into the public health field after college truly looks like and what the University of North Carolina has to offer. Though she was all smiles about being a new Tarheel, she will always remain a Terrier first. 

“I was really able to prepare myself here (at Wofford) and I was given the opportunities to do the things that bring me joy,” Hathcock said. “That is huge and has been huge in pursuing my MPH.”

During her time at Wofford, Hathcock was involved in a number of things on campus. She was in a sorority and served on panhellenic; she was heavily involved in HOSA, an organization for future health professionals; and she advocated largely for a program called “Be the Match,” which helps with the donation of stem cells and bone marrow. 

“Becoming a stem cell donor was a once in a lifetime experience and being able to see the perspective of a patient from a different lens, which allowed me to fully realize immunology and oncology are huge passions of mine,” Hathcock said. 

“In addition, watching the surgeon general speak several times…inspired me to focus on multidisciplinary change within medicine. It piqued my passion in shifting the culture of care within the United States, which has carried into my graduate degree.”

Those who attended Hathcock’s presentation were from all majors and programs, who all had a common interest in public health. One listener was David Alvis, associate professor of government, who still encourages Hathcock to not attend medical school and instead stay in the public health sector to make a difference. Despite this, becoming a physician is still her plan.

“I knew from my first day at Wofford that I wanted to be a physician that did more than the nine to five. I always wanted to address the systemic issues within the US Healthcare system and knew I would burn out pretty quickly if I didn’t find a way to be a part of changing the societal norms in medicine, and public health was the avenue for me to do that,” Hathcock said.

Because of this, Hathcock knew that pursuing an MPH would always be in her plan. As far as what comes afterward, she still has some figuring out to do.

“I am keeping my options open right now, given the vast opportunities waiting in my MPH program,” Hathcock said. “I either plan to pursue an MD or a doctorate in public health.”

Though Hathcock just graduated in May, she felt the need to come back and share her experience for other students wanting to go into the public health field. 

“I really wanted to come back and connect with students who might be going through the same thing as I was this time last year,” Hathcock said. “I feel like my program has been so immersive and has taught me so much in such a short amount of time so I felt compelled to share that with other students interested in policy, healthcare/public health.”