Master of Public Health Second Year Lands Job at Colorado Children’s Immunization Coaltion

Justin Tarr, a second-year Master of Public Health student at the Colorado School of Public Health at Colorado State University, is on the forefront of one of the controversial and important public health issues in Colorado: childhood immunizations. He recently became the new program coordinator for the Colorado Children’s Immunization Coalition (CCIC), a statewide 501(c)3 non-profit that works to advance children’s health through immunizations. “Our main focus is keeping Colorado kids healthy and building awareness for vaccines,” says Justin. “We educate providers and advocate for policy change.”

Justin’s new position directly connects to the work he completed during his practicum, a practice-based learning requirement for all Master of Public Health students. Last fall, he worked with the Immunization Department at Boulder Country Public Health to help organize an expert panel on childhood vaccinations. The panel targeted parents, providing them with up-to-date, science-based information to help them make an informed decision. He is currently completing his capstone with the same department.

In addition to his full-time position at CCIC, Justin is also a Graduate Research Assistant for Dr. Sheryl Magzamen in the department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences at CSU. He assists with a long-term study on the effects of lead exposure in children, examining the socioeconomic dynamics of the issue.

With graduation on the horizon, Justin has begun to reflect on his time in the Colorado School of Public Health. He credits his Master of Public Health classes, especially his concentration in epidemiology, with giving him the skills to land a full-time job before graduation. “You can tell your students it really does pay off,” he says.

For more information on the Colorado Children’s Immunization Coalition, check out their website: http://www.childrensimmunization.org/