SPH Alumni | SDSU School of Public Health

Alumni Board Accomplishments/Update, 2016-2017– posted 6/5/2017
SPH Alumni Sue Royappa Featured in CHHS Aztecs on the Frontline and local CBS article

Events

Current SPH Alumni Board Members

Barb Robinette, MPH (HMP)
Chair

Barb graduated with an MPH from the school in 1989, with an emphasis in Health Services Administration – now better known as HMP. She is the Vice President of Marketing for the Coventry Workers’ Comp Services division of Aetna. Barb is a strategic marketing leader with 25+ years of experience leading high-growth initiatives in B2B health care and insurance markets through the development of first-ever integrated marketing strategies. She has responsibility for a nearly $1 billion insurance division, building and leading teams in overall marketing practices, marketing organization/leadership, business development, market positioning, multi-channel advertising, social engagement, customer database, digital and traditional marketing initiatives, and e-commerce. She has expertise in B2B Marketing, Product Development, Marketing Strategy and Operations in Healthcare, Insurance, Workers’ Compensation and Managed Care.

Michael Bloom, MPH (EH)

Michael graduated from the school with an MPH in 1995 with an emphasis in Environmental Health. He has worked as a Physical Scientist for the Navy at Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest since 1993. He has managed and worked on numerous environmental restoration projects on many Navy facilities in California. These projects include both soil and groundwater studies and remediation. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with family, travel, running, and thoroughbred racing.

Kelley Axelson, MPH (HPBS)

Kelley Axelson graduated from the school with a Master of Public Health with emphasis in Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences and from Western Washington University with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sport Science with emphasis in Fitness Science. Mrs. Axelson currently works for UC San Diego Center for Community Health as Senior Manager for the Live Well @ Work initiative.

Linda Salgin, MPH (HPBS), CPH

Linda received her MPH with an emphasis in Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences. During this time, she was awarded with the Diversity, Inclusion, and Social Justice Award for her work on the efficacy of nutrition programs taught in elementary schools – providing best practices to the Department of Agriculture in improving their tools to meet the needs of both teachers and students. Additionally, she worked at the Center for Research on Sexuality and Sexual Health where her and her colleagues research in comprehensive sexual health was recently published in the Journal of School Health. Currently, Ms. Salgin works at San Ysidro Health Center as a Program Supervisor overseeing a 5 year CDC-funded grant focusing on HIV prevention in the South San Diego Region.

Michael Carey, MPH (EH)

Michael Carey moved from his hometown of Columbia, South Carolina to San Diego in 2007. He has a passion in the promotion of environmental education to the public and ensuring the proper disposal of hazardous materials to limit anthropogenic impacts to the environment. His other interests include football, basketball, snowboarding, yoga, and surfing. Currently Michael is a Program Manager at a biotech company where he manages their Hazardous Waste Program.

Natasha Bliss, MPH (EPI)

Natasha spent eight years working for internationally focused organizations before entering the MPH program in 2011. Through these work experiences, she saw first-hand the devastation that infectious diseases cause for individuals and families in the developing world. This, coupled with a personal passion for physical activity and health, was the impetus for her to join the program. Natasha graduated in 2014 with a concentration in Epidemiology, and currently works for San Diego State University as a fundraiser. In her spare time, she moonlights in the field of public health by assisting with journal publications and is currently training for the Boston Marathon.

Anita K. Walia, MPH (HPBS)

Anita graduated with an MPH from the school in 2013 with an emphasis in Health Promotion and Behavioral Science. While in the program, she interned with Palomar Health’s Community Outreach Team and went on to work as a graduate student worker with the County of San Diego, Health and Human Services Agency’s Community Health Promotion Team in North County. Since graduating, Anita has been working full time with the team as a Community Health Promotion Specialist, focusing on obesity prevention through active transportation, built environment and policy. In early 2016, Anita will transition to the County’s ConnectWellSD Program which aims move the County towards a better person-centered service delivery model through a new electronic information exchange system. In her spare time, Anita enjoys cooking, hiking and exploring the restaurant scene in San Diego.

Brynn Viale, MPH (HPBS)

Brynn Viale received her Master’s in Public Health from San Diego State University in 2010. She is currently a Community Health Promotion Specialist with the County of San Diego focusing on infusing intergenerational approaches into regional public health efforts. Brynn’s passions have allowed her to explore several avenues of public health; her previous experience has included roles within university-level health promotion, national research studies, and local non-profit organizations. Her interests in active communities, access to healthy foods, and effective communication guide her in supporting creative and innovative programs that truly make a difference.

Richard Hunt, MPH (EH)

Richard is a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and a Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM) with over 15 years experience in Environmental Health and Safety. He graduated from the school in 2009, with an emphasis in Environmental Health. His thesis investigated the concentration of toxic compounds in house dust of homes exposed to environmental tobacco smoke. Prior to his study at SDSU, he served in the Marine Corps and undergrad in Environmental Sciences at U.C. Berkeley. Currently Richard consults for the Federal Government on environmental compliance matters associated with hazardous waste disposal. His success has been made possible by the love and support of his wife Jessica and daughter Madison. Interests outside of work include mountain biking (downhill, enduro & cross country), bmx biking (racing & dirt jump), road biking and occasionally running.

last updated: 10/9/2017