Founder/CEO
URA Resource Center, LLC
Master of Public Health, Health Policy & Management
Graduation Year: 2016
Why did you choose to attend COPH?
I chose to attend the UAMS College of Public Health to further my knowledge and understanding of public health. The Arkansas Department of Health provided the Tuition Reimbursement program which offered a “no-cost” option in return for service time commitment which ensured I excelled in the field of public health and in my career.
What is the most important thing you learned while at COPH?
The most important thing I learned as a result of earning my MPH degree is that every problem I see and feel in my soul is an opportunity to serve.
What advice do you have for current students who want to make the most out of their experience at COPH?
The best advice I have for current students who want to make the most out of their experience at the COPH is to go to Toastmasters.org, search by zip code and join a local Toastmasters International club near you. Find a club that resonates with your spirit which will help you to develop self confidence in your Communication, Leadership and Evaluation skills. Without these three skills, you will be hindered by all the rejection you will face ahead in your career, business and other quality of life opportunities.
Describe COPH in three words.
Service, Systematic, Classic
Describe what you are currently doing for work and the path you took to get to this point.
The Train.org website public health resource has helped me to further develop my educational interests, specific niche and valuable skills in getting to the point where I am now in public health. I am the Founder and CEO of URA Resource Center, LLC, a public health consulting firm established on January 2017 and based in Conway, Arkansas. The firm has served over 1,500 public health students, new graduates and professional clients with creative / technical writing, research analysis and public speaking / training projects. To date, the firm has over 20+ current / past interns, 40+ public health mentees and over 50+ sub-contractors. Additionally, I serve as a Technical Editor at Gainwell Technologies. Gainwell is the leading provider of technology solutions that are vital to the administration and operations of health and human services programs.
How did your education at COPH prepare you for what you are doing today?
The MPH credential prepared me well for solving common public health problems. The degree has provided me with a basic understanding of the art and science of innovating public health. The relationships with the esteemed professors, staff and fellow alumni were all memorable experiences – especially the ones from my “Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities” course. They know who they are and what that course, service learning opportunity and class reflection assignments did for us.
What is your greatest professional accomplishment?
The greatest professional accomplishment is using my MPH credential to scale the community work by serving as an author of 3 self-published books with 9 more in the works to be published by the end of the year.
What advice would you give current students or recent graduates interested in pursuing a career in your professional field?
I highly encourage students, graduates and fellow alumni to work towards self-love, self-care and healing from their own life trauma in order to be an example of how healing from hurt helps ignite everlasting public health passion within the community.
What is something people may not know about you?
The one thing that a lot of people don’t know about me is that my nickname is “Tonkepooh” which was the name given to me by my parents. When someone calls me this name, it means they really know me from “Uptown” my home city of Hot Springs, Arkansas.