Rural health Epidemiology, with Krysta "McKenna" Luzynski

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In this episode, Sujani sits down with Krysta McKenna Luzynski, a district epidemiologist at the Virginia Department of Health. They discuss gaining perspectives on different healthcare systems around the world, the responsibilities of a rural epidemiologist, and McKenna’s experience working through the COVID-19 pandemic. 

You’ll Learn

• How McKenna found her way into public health through a youth leadership camp and an interest in healthcare
• How the pandemic has altered the public perception of public health
• Why McKenna chose to pursue higher education abroad to gain new perspectives on public health
  • How her experiences abroad impacted her career opportunities back home
  • A brief overview of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine’s MSc in Public Health program
• What a day in the life of a rural epidemiologist looks like
  • How working in a rural setting differs from urban settings and what unique challenges may arise
  • McKenna’s experience working through the COVID-19 pandemic and what she has learned from it
• What skills are essential to succeed in applied epidemiology
• McKenna’s goals and where she hopes to take her career in the future

Today’s Guest

A native of Roanoke, VA, McKenna Luzynski is a magna cum laude graduate of Furman University with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health and Spanish and a minor in Latin American Studies. She attended the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine for her Master of Science in Public Health. McKenna has been employed by the Virginia Department of Health as the Senior District Epidemiologist for Southside Health District since October of 2019. Additionally, she serves on the Board of Directors for VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital. McKenna resides in South Hill, VA.

Resources

• Follow McKenna on LinkedIn 
• Learn more about the National Youth Leadership Forum: Medicine program 
• Learn more about London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine's MSc in Public Health program 

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