My Public Health Journey
Jocelyn Espinoza, MPH
Jocelyn is an MPH graduate from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Public Health. Grounded in her Mexican American heritage and experiences in healthcare and community service, Jocelyn is passionate about prevention and culturally responsive public health. Her work has focused on community engagement, program implementation and evaluation, and health education, including her work with La Casa de la Salud and the Estilos de Vida Saludable initiative. She is committed to public health approaches that listen to communities, value their lived experiences, and center people and families in the work.
Tell us about your current public health work.
My interest in public health began while working as a CNA in a hospital, where I frequently cared for Spanish-speaking patients and saw how language barriers and social circumstances could affect their health and ability to access care. Many patients shared concerns about finances, transportation, housing, and other challenges that were not necessarily medical but still had a significant impact on their health. Learning about the social determinants of health helped me understand these experiences from a broader perspective and inspired me to pursue public health so I could contribute to prevention and help people address health challenges before they require hospital care. Over the past two years, I have built on this interest through research, community engagement, program implementation, and evaluation, including my work with La Casa de la Salud and the Estilos de Vida Saludable initiative serving Hispanic/Latino communities in Virginia. Through my capstone evaluation of EVS, as well as my research experience with VCU School of Nursing, I have developed skills in evaluation, implementation science, community engagement, and culturally responsive research and health education. I have also remained involved in community service through initiatives addressing food insecurity, clothing access, community gardens, and other local needs. These experiences have reinforced my belief that effective public health begins with understanding and respecting the communities we serve and ensuring that their voices are part of the work.
How has your heritage shaped your public health journey?
As a first-generation Mexican American, my heritage has deeply shaped how I understand health, service, and the importance of community. Growing up, I saw my family navigate language and access barriers within healthcare, which helped me understand how difficult it can be to receive care and resources even when you need them. At the same time, I was raised in a family where caring for others was simply part of everyday life; my mother and grandmother spent much of their lives caring for others, and my family continues to serve our community through various forms of service. My Christian faith has also shaped my approach to public health by teaching me the importance of humility, compassion, love, and serving others like Christ served the church. Being raised around multiple generations and seeing family members care for one another, including my mother caring for various family members with chronic health conditions, taught me that health affects not only individuals but entire families and communities. I was also fortunate to be embraced by my stepfather’s family, who came from a different cultural background than my own, but with whom we found unity in our shared values of family, service, and caring for others. This gave me another perspective on the importance of community and collective support. These experiences have inspired my passion for prevention and culturally responsive public health and have taught me that meaningful service begins with listening to people, understanding their circumstances, and caring for the whole person and the community around them.
What advice would you give to a fellow Latina/o who wants to pursue a career in public health?
My advice to a fellow Latina/o pursuing public health would be to never underestimate the value of your culture, experiences, and perspective. Our communities need people who understand that health is shaped by much more than what happens in a clinic or hospital, including language, finances, transportation, housing, family, and trust. Do not feel like you have to fit into one specific path within public health; there are opportunities in research, community health, health education, policy, program evaluation, and many other areas. I would also encourage you to stay connected to the communities that inspire you and to approach your work with humility, remembering that serving a community means listening to its members and valuing their knowledge and experiences. Most importantly, do not be afraid to take up space in this field. You bring a perspective that is needed, and your lived experiences can become a source of strength in the work you do. Public health is ultimately about people, and our communities benefit when those who understand and care about them are part of creating solutions.
What is your favorite family tradition?
My favorite family tradition is gathering together every year to pick out our Christmas tree. It may seem like a simple tradition, but I love that it brings everyone together and gives us an opportunity to slow down and spend time with one another. We have different personalities, schedules, and responsibilities throughout the year, so having a tradition that we can return to every Christmas makes it feel especially meaningful. I also love that it has become something I can look forward to each year and that connects different generations of my family. To me, the tradition represents what I value most about my family: being together, making memories, and making time for one another. As I get older, I appreciate it even more because I realize that the tradition itself is less about finding the perfect tree and more about being surrounded by the people I love.
My Graduations
2018 - Advanced High School Diploma (Honors, with Seal), E.C. Glass High School;
Associate Degree, Central Virginia Community College (Dual Enrollment)