ALUMNI PROFILES
Richard Zoraster MPH (Graduated in February 2008)
Currently practicing part time as an Emergency Physician, and part time in the Disaster Division of Los Angeles County Emergency Medical Services Agency
My name is Richard Zoraster, and I currently practice part time as an E
mergency Physician, and part time in the Disaster Division of Los Angeles County Emergency Medical Services Agency. These two jobs have allowed me the flexibility to take on short term projects internationally, including Medial Missions in Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Jordan and China.
I received my Bachelors and M.D. degrees from U.C.L.A., and after a little time practicing in West Virginia and Delaware, landed back in Los Angeles, where I work in relatively large and busy (58 beds, 70,000 annual visits) Emergency Department. For several years I was the Director of our group, but never found the politics and personnel issues pleasant. A previous administrator from my ER approached me about working in the Disaster Division, and my original role was mostly as a technocrat – looking at medication stockpiles, considering how to expand isolation capacity, discussing the biology of Influenza.
Very rapidly it was obvious that I had tremendous gaps in my kno
wledge base. While I knew the technical definitions of many epidemiological and ethical terms, it was also apparent that I had little understanding or feeling for them. When developing projects I often found that I had significant limits on my ability to analyze study designs and limits. At the same time, I was able to see opportunities that required these very same skills. As I looked to expand my capacity, an M.P.H. seemed a perfect fit.
Finding a program that fit my needs was not easy. I probably have some amount of Adult Attention Deficit Disorder, and sitting in classrooms usually drives me nuts. Also, I am a bit “older”, and was somewhat intimidated by the prospect of taking online courses via a computer. To complicate my search for a program, I travel a lot, have a work requ
irements that sometimes are overwhelming, and, most importantly, have a wife and three children.
The University of Massachusetts, Amherst Online MPH program fit my needs perfectly. First off, there was the opportunity to test the waters first by taking several classes without formally entering the program. The faculty has been consistently understanding and supportive when I had scheduling difficulties or needed to be out of touch. Often my class projects were developed while sitting with my lap top on an airplane, and then emailed in from over seas. A particularly positive aspect of the program is that many of the courses ask you to develop projects based of your interests. I used the course on Research Methodology to thoroughly review the Psychobiology and treatment of Traumatic Stress in Children. My work in the ethics courses was used to study the ethics of Triage, something I have subsequently lectured on and published. My Capstone has also been used for lectures, and was just accepted for Publication in PreHospital and Disaster Medicine!
Since graduation I have recurrently referred back to concepts and t
heories learned during my course work. Last month I had discussions with the administration at International University in Phnom Penh on collaborating with their School of Medicine and School of Public Health. There are two research projects that may take off with the Military. The OnLine MPH has grown myknowledge base tremendously, expanded my perspectives, and also created multiple opportunities for me.
Urumqui China
Tsunami Relief
Banda Aceh
2005
Tsunami Relief
