Like mother, like daughter. Meet Christine Woo, Ph.D, and Nathalie Nicol, BSPH – mother and daughter - both graduates of the þҹӰԺѹۿ College of Public Health. While Woo was completing her doctorate in 2022, Nicol was just starting her journey at þҹӰԺѹۿ State. “Our time together at þҹӰԺѹۿ State overlapped just at the very end, as mom was finishing up her Ph.D and I was a freshman just getting started in public health,” says Nicol.
Woo grew up in Montreal, Quebec, and earned her bachelor’s degree at the University of Waterloo, near Toronto, Ontario. She then received her master’s degree from Case Western Reserve and the University of Minnesota. “It was during my 20-year career at the VA in hospital operations, that Jonathan VanGeest, Ph.D., professor in health policy management at the College of Public Health, encouraged me to pursue my doctorate. He gave me practical reasons why I should earn the degree and guided me through the process,” says Woo. “As a non-traditional student, I chose þҹӰԺѹۿ State because of the incredible dean and faculty. They were so supportive and helped me navigate my studies and career and allowed tremendous flexibility. They also gave personal advice based on my situation,” Woo adds.
Woo now holds a federal position working at the Cleveland field office of the United States Civil Rights Office for Immigration. Her daughter, Nathalie, just earned her bachelor’s degree from þҹӰԺѹۿ State’s College of Public Health with a pre-medicine concentration.
“As long as I can remember, I always wanted to be a family doctor, a general practitioner. Biological sciences are very important, but I knew there had to be even more. My mom opened my eyes to the importance of public health and how concentrating on that field could help as many people as possible,” says Nicol.
“My mom has always influenced me. I’ve always admired how she was a working woman and was able to balance everything to be successful. She was a first-generation student and guided me to explore the field of public health and helped reinforce my decision to become a medical doctor and care for underserved individuals,” Nicol adds.
Nicol has been tentatively accepted at NEOMED and will start medical school in 2026. She credits associate professor Abbey Eng Ph.D., for encouraging her through her public health journey. “She was incredibly helpful and supportive. We taught Flashes 101 together and I quickly learned from her that everything can be a learning experience,” says Nichol. “If you think there are societal factors that go into a person’s public health, then this degree is for you. It challenges you to always think and realize that a person’s health is shaped by both personal behaviors and outside factors. Public health is positive change on a large scale. School is hard and there can be many distractions, but college is the perfect time to explore yourself and your long-term goals,” she adds.
As she prepares for medical school, Nicol now works part-time for North Coast Community Homes, a non-profit organization that provides housing for individuals living with developmental disabilities and mental health challenges. In her role, she assists four residential services liaisons and helps with events. Nicol also recently accepted an additional part-time position with Town Hall II in þҹӰԺѹۿ, an agency that offers residential aid as well as substance abuse and recovery programs.
“The coursework and programs offered by the College of Public Health provide a solid foundation for many different careers through their undergraduate and graduate programs,” states Woo.
“Both Nathalie and I benefited greatly from the broad range of course work and experiences offered through CPH, which gave me the chance at a second career - from hospital research and administration to statistician in civil rights - and Nathalie - work and life experiences, including acceptance into medical school through the KSU NEOMED early assurance program partnership,” Woo adds.
“From a young age, Nathalie wanted to be a physician. I felt both happy and proud that she chose to study public health instead of a science undergraduate degree. Now that she has completed her BSPH, she is working in a position that provides service and support to marginalized populations. For me, I went back to school very late in life, and CPH allowed me to take many courses in epidemiology, which led to my ability to find my ‘dream job’ second career,” continues Woo.
“The current social climate is challenging, and in my opinion, it is time for public health graduates to ‘lean in’, and work towards improving the lives of those we serve. I feel that both Nathalie and I are doing that. That is what public health is all about,” Woo concludes.