208: Leading Population Health Initiatives to Social Justice with Shanaz Chery, MS, CHES

Interview with Shanaz Chery, MS, CHES

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Highlights from this episode:

Empowering communities is essential in public health, and their needs and perspectives should be incorporated into interventions.
Clear, concise, and consistent messaging is crucial in public health communication.
Internship experiences and hands-on community work can provide valuable insights and shape career paths in public health.
Take time to work in the field before pursuing a master’s degree to gain experience and figure out your career path.
Building relationships and connections is crucial in the field of public health.

Episode 208 of Public Health Careers

Shanaz is Director, Population Health at Greater New York Hospital Association where she leads various population health initiatives.

She has spent almost a decade working on issues like health communication, social drivers of health, disparities, equity, technology, and social justice. And she is driven by a commitment to making a positive impact on public health and advocating for healthier communities.

Shanaz began her academic journey at Borough of Manhattan Community Colloege before transferring to Brooklyn College where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Health. During her undergraduate studies, she gained experience as a Research Associate intern at Brooklyn College.

After completing her bachelor’s degree, she pursued a Master of Science in Public Health Communication for Social Change at CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy. While pursuing her master’s, Shanaz interned with the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene as a HOPE Team Outreach Worker and later worked as a Research Assistant for the World Trade Center Health Registry. She also chaired the HepFree NYC Communications Committee during this period.

After her graduate studies, Shanaz’s professional roles included serving as a Helpline Specialist at the American Liver Foundation and an Intern Supervisor at the NYC Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit. She also became a mentor for the New York State Department of Health. Her career continued to advance at the Greater New York Hospital Association, where she progressed from Program Manager to Senior Program Manager, and eventually Director of the Health Information Tool for Empowerment (HITE). Currently, she serves as the Director of Population Health at the same organization.