Jeannine Ho
MPH in Health Sciences
Having completed a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences (Life Sciences concentration) with Honours, Jeannine owes her love for research and academia to the many unique opportunities offered in the Faculty of Health Sciences. A combination of research, advocacy, mentorship from professors, and leadership experiences inspired her to pursue a Master of Public Health.
Jeannine鈥檚 experience as a Research Assistant and transition into Research Manager on a CIHR-funded global mental health RCT was a pivotal moment in her academic and professional growth. Working alongside leaders in global health, government stakeholders, and faculty members from SFU, UBC, and University of Melbourne, Jeannine developed and led the scale-up of a community-based mental health intervention in Vietnam. Her work contributed to critical knowledge translation efforts, including qualitative data analysis, scale-up protocols, and stakeholder coordination across provinces in Vietnam. In doing so, she helped ensure the intervention could be sustainably implemented at the national scale鈥攃ontributing to improved mental health access for patients and low- and middle- income countries.
鈥淲e need to place health interventions beyond the healthcare setting, and instead situate them within social, political, and historical contexts if we want them to actually succeed,鈥� she explains. 鈥淚 never would have gotten this opportunity of making real-world changes at the policy level if it weren鈥檛 for my connections at SFU. The researchers here in the Faculty of Health Sciences are doing remarkable work challenging the status quo across all domains of health, and I鈥檓 truly grateful to represent SFU in a high-profile international research collaboration to improve global health equity.鈥�
Alongside her research, Jeannine has served as President of the Blood, Organ, and Stem Cell Club with Canadian Blood Services for nearly 5 years. From coordinating campus-wide blood donation clinics, national campaigns, and donor recruitment events that address racial disparities in blood donation and stem cell registries, these experiences have given her insight on the importance of culturally responsive outreach and community engagement and solidified her desire to pursue an MPH, where she could learn tools for systemic change to health inequities. Recently, Jeannine also founded the SFU chapter of Partners In Health, where she brings together students to devise solutions for global health inequities and advocate for increased accessibility to healthcare. These leadership roles reflect her long-standing dedication to equity for marginalized communities and low resource settings.
鈥淟eading these clubs have taught me that health equity is an iterative process that requires critical self-reflection, acknowledging power dynamics and privilege, and commitment to learning from past mistakes. As public health practitioners, we must remain aware to the fact that our work has potential to also do harm. In this way, advancing health equity is not a static goal, but a lifelong practice that requires developing trust and partnership with communities鈥�
Jeannine has supported students as a Teaching Assistant and peer mentor. She is passionate about helping students navigate their academic pathways and explore career opportunities. Recognized for her academic excellence and community engagement, she has received numerous scholarships and awards throughout her time at SFU.
Now nearing the end of her MPH, Jeannine credits the program for equipping her with the analytical skills, policy frameworks, and real-world opportunities to take her next steps in public health. For future students, she offers a piece of advice she鈥檚 followed herself:
鈥淪ay YES to the opportunities that scare you the most. Put yourself out there and feel resilience when told no鈥攚hich you will inevitably hear many times. This is where all of your growth happens. Lean into this discomfort. Take advantage of all the endless opportunities that SFU has to offer, and you will get exactly where you are meant to be.鈥�