Alexandra Poulter

Current Position: Associate and Community Health Educator with Doylestown Health

I can’t begin to speak more highly of the Public Health program at GMercyU. From the classes, to the peers I worked with, to the professors who guided me, everything felt tailored exactly to what I needed to succeed.

Alexandra Poulter, Quakertown Community High School class of 2020 graduate, first stumbled upon GMercyU during a search for a local school with a Public Health program. At the time, she was looking to transfer her associate’s degree in Health Science form Bucks County Community College (BCCC) and knew of GMercyU’s reputation within nursing and allied health professions.

“There were a lot of selling points that GMercyU had when I was considering the next step of my education. It was more affordable for me, compared to other private schools, and it was within driving distance and supported commuters,” shared Alexandra. “What really sealed the deal was the small class sizes. I didn’t want to just be another number. I wanted to be able to really connect with my professors, and GMercyU could give that to me.”

Alexandra first visited campus during the spring semester before she would transfer. She recalled how beautiful campus looked in full bloom, the warm weather, and the students hanging out in outdoor spaces. She also took a mental note of all of the study places she would make use of between classes.

“The campus was small enough, but also spread out. It was in an area with lots to do, but also tucked away and surrounded by nature. It felt like the best of both worlds,” Alexandra shared.

Why Public Health?

From a young age, Alexandra knew she was interested in healthcare. After graduating high school, she thought her path would lead her to nursing school, but the pandemic changed her view.

“When the COVID-19 pandemic impacted all of our lives, I got to witness public health take center stage. It was at that point that I discovered there were jobs I could do working to promote health beyond direct patient care,” said Alexandra. “I decided I would be more useful using my interest and the knowledge I gained preventing disease before people even got sick, working behind the scenes and upstream on health issues.”

Experience in Public Health

“My favorite part about GMercyU is the professors. They really, truly care about your success and will do everything they can to help shape you into the public health professional you wish to become,” shared Alexandra.

Alexandra recalled the sense of community she felt within her cohort and the many opportunities afforded to her to grow personally and professionally.

Each of Alexandra’s professors taught her valuable lessons during her time in the program. Specifically, Dr. Sharla Willis pushed her to grow as a public health professional and ensured that Alexandra was ready to take and pass the Certified Health Education Specialist Exam (CHES) during the spring of her senior year.

Dr. Victory Osezua emphasized program planning and solidified essential frameworks within public health that Alexandra has carried with her into her career. Under the direction of Professor Bernabeo, Alexandra learned the essentials of conducting research, allowing her to present at the Undergraduate Research Conference on her systemic review analyzing the influences of medical mistrust. Lastly, Dr. Maria Warnick shared her unique perspective on epidemiology and human disease.

Internship Experience

Alexandra completed an internship with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, specifically the Greater Delaware Valley Chapter Walk MS. In her role she was responsible for being the first point of contact for participants wanting to walk to raise money for a cure for multiple sclerosis (MS). She was specifically charged with ensuring participants had all necessary information and sometimes charged with assisting those who were newly diagnosed and seeking support.

“My biggest takeaway from this work experience was just how important a support network is for someone struggling with a health condition. Whether it’s a personal support network or support from an organization like the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, having that person to talk to and get you resources if need be goes a long way,” shared Alexandra.

Life on Campus

During her time on campus, Alexandra served on the executive council of the Public Health Club as the Secretary and Communications liaison. She was mainly responsibly for communicating with club members about upcoming meetings or events, planning events with other executive council members, taking minutes at meetings, and designing flyers for campus.

Alexandra was also a member of the Environmentally Conscious Organization (E.C.O.) Club.

My biggest piece of advice is that your time at GMercyU is what you make it. Go to the club events, sit in the library and study, meet with your professors for office hours. You will get out of your experience as much as you put in, and there are plenty of opportunities to broaden your horizons and learn new things.

Volunteer Work Abroad

During summer 2024, Alexandra, alongside fellow Public Health and Psychology classmates, traveled to Kingston, Jamaica for a service-learning trip. While there, she volunteered her time and resources to provide health education training sessions to teen mothers and young adults living with HIV.

“This not only helped me grow professionally in the sector of public health and global health, but helped me grow personally. I got to push my comfort zone and ultimately become more confident in my abilities because of it,” shared Alexandra. “Going on the service trip to Jamaica was a life-changing experience, and I would recommend it to anyone trying to grow themselves as a professional and a compassionate human being.”

Post-Graduation

Since graduating in May 2024, Alexandra has been working as an Associate and Community Health Educator with Doylestown Health in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. She’s used her CHES certification by preparing health education training for community members and associates of the health system.

“So far it is a very fulfilling job where I get to call on all my public health classes as a foundation,” said Alexandra.

In the future, Alexandra plans to expand her education by attending graduate school to obtain a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree. She hopes to work to prevent disease and promote health in the community.