UA Little Rock Student Embraces Opportunity to Expand Knowledge of Public Health

A University of Arkansas at Little Rock student received an invaluable education in public health through the Stead Scholars Program.

The program is an eight-week paid internship that allows a select group of college undergraduate students to get hands-on experience in the field of public health through the Arkansas Department of Health and the College of Public Health at UAMS.

As Stead Scholars, Kinsey Garofalo, a junior biology major and Donaghey Scholar from Benton, and her cohort worked under the tutelage of public health professionals. Each student was assigned to a specific realm of public health while also learning about other aspects of the field.

“I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the program, and I learned so much about public health theory and practice,” Garofalo said. “I also built peer connections with my fellow scholars and professional connections through mentors and the program’s leadership. I plan to continue my research that I started this summer at UAMS. I studied breast cancer precision medicine, specifically a potential treatment target for triple-negament breast cancer.”

This experience provides the students with an introduction to public health, exposure to applied and basic public health science, and health policy development. The scholars attend weekly seminars and meetings held at the Arkansas Department of Health and the College of Public Health where public health topics are presented, discussed, and researched.

“I learned a lot about the breadth of public health during the summer and how the field impacts policy, healthcare, laws, and industry,” Garofalo said. “My favorite part of the experience was meeting so many passionate people at ADH and UAMS and sitting in on meetings at ADH to see what they do every day.”

With her graduation coming up in 2026, Garofalo found the Stead Scholars program a unique experience to prepare her for her future career as a doctor.

“This program helped me prepare for my future career by allowing me to experience a part of healthcare that I did not know much about beforehand,” she said. “It also helped me develop my professional communication skills and ask myself questions about my career goals.”