ALUMNI PROFILES
Saleem Islam MPH (Graduated in September 2006)
Pediatric Surgeon and Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Florida College of Medicine.
I am a pediatric surgeon and have been in academic practice for the past
six years. I obtained my MD from the Aga Khan University in Karachi, Pakistan and then trained in general surgery at UMass Worcester, and in pediatric surgery at University of Michigan. I received my MPH from UMass in September of 2006. Currently, I am an Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Florida College of Medicine.
I wanted to obtain a MPH as soon as I finished my training in 2003, and enrolled in the UMass program after looking all around the country for a compatible one. As a practicing clinician, the program had to be mostly if not completely online, and to have a good reputation. I wanted to earn my MPH in order to gain more experience in being able to handle outcomes-based research and to have a broader understanding of the health care situation in the U.S.
The courses that I took during my two years or so were very useful and really helped me in broadening my horizons and understanding in depth the issues that I face on a daily basis. They were very convenient to do after hours, around my work schedule or on the weekends when I had time. I found the teachers and students to be very helpful and interactive. MaryBeth was extremely helpful every step of the way and always went the extra mile to make things work.
Earning my MPH degree improved my job opportunities because I was able to offer more to a department, so when I left my position in 2007, I was able to start as an Associate Professor. I have also been able to conduct a number of trials and projects that would not have been easy without my training. I have been able to use Minitab as a statistical program and do all my own stats – which is great!! I have been able to collaborate across disciplines and help others with their research as well, which has been very gratifying.
I would do this again in a heartbeat and would recommend this to any of my colleagues. Thanks!!
