ALUMNI PROFILES
Steve Griesenbeck MPH (Graduated in May 2006)
Environmental Health Officer in the Medical Service Corps of the U.S. Navy
My name is Steve Griesenbeck and I am an environmental health officer in the Medical Service Corps of the U.S. Navy. I started my career as an enlisted mortarman in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1988 immediately after graduating from high school. I earned my undergraduate degree in Clinical Laboratory Science from Northeast Louisiana University (University of Louisiana at Monroe). I completed a Master of Science degree from Stephen F. Austin State University in 
Environmental Science and commissioned as an officer in the Navy in 2000. I completed my MPH in Public Health Practice from UMASS in 2006.
The UMASS program was unique in several respects and my decision to complete my MPH was based on its design. The flexibility it afforded me (and many working professionals) was extremely attractive, but the main reason I chose the UMASS program was the quality of the education. In fact, I am currently completing my Doctoral degree in Public Health (DrPH-Epidemiology and Environmental Health) at the Texas A&M Health Science Center School of Rural Public Health in College Station, TX. Additionally, I recently passed the CPH exam (certified in public health) after receiving my MPH from UMASS.
Delivering Polio Vaccines at a clinic in the Horn of Africa
The benefits of the distance learning program at UMASS were numerous. The education, while firmly rooted in the principles of public health, was skillfully delivered through real world scenarios, experiences, and with a “hands-on” approach. I was able to immediately utilize the tools I received from UMASS into my daily operations. I have been to many areas of the world where the fundamentals of public health can literally mean the difference between life and death; knowing how to translate the concepts into practice is an essential skill. The program at UMASS did an excellent job preparing me for such challenges. One instance that comes to mind was the polio epidemic in the Horn of Africa in 2005. I had the privilege of assisting in the planning and implementation of the vaccination campaign for the region. This was a very rewarding experience for me personally with a lasting positive impact for the population. There have been many other circumstances like this one and each time I felt both prepared and confident.
I am married with four children and was able to complete the program while maintaining my parental, spousal, and professional obligations. This was no easy task; anyone with toddlers knows that there must only be about 16 hours in the day and that the 24-hour claim is definitely “false advertising”. The key point is it is achievable. The instructors and staff are extremely professi
onal and allow flexibility without sacrificing quality. Likewise, the ability to learn and share with your working peers is an invaluable part of the educational process.
Assessing local disaster response capabilities
