Student Spotlight: Annaliese Collins

Meet Annaliese Collins

Degree Program: MSPH
Area of Interest: Women’s Sexual & Reproductive Health
Hometown: Lutherville, MD
Previous Degree(s) Earned: BA in Public Health at Muhlenberg College 
Fun fact : I have a minor in studio art.

What sparked your interest in public health?     

In the summer after my freshman year of high school, I applied for the Peer Education Program with Planned Parenthood of Maryland only knowing I had a sometimes off-putting knack for reciting facts about the intricacies of birth control, sexually transmitted infections, and reproductive anatomy. I flourished in the program for the next three years of high school; the 50 hours of training on peer-to-peer education, effective communication, and community activism was the highlight of my Julys. 

Why did you choose the Bloomberg School of Public Health?

I chose the Bloomberg School for a few reasons. My undergrad mentor, Dr. Chrysan Cronin, is a Bloomberg School alum, having received both her MPH and PhD here. Having been away from Maryland and the city of Baltimore for four years, I also knew that I wanted to continue my education closer to home. Many of the other schools that I looked at did not have a department like the Bloomberg School’s Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health. The proximity to my childhood home, the advice from my mentor, the presence of the Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, and the incredible opportunities provided by the School all pushed me towards the Bloomberg School.

What led you to join the Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health?

I knew that my areas of interest fell within the scope of reproductive and sexual health, and the Department has exactly that.

What is one experience in PFRH that stands out as a favorite or most memorable? 

My cohort in PFRH has just been phenomenal. They are so supportive of one another, and they have fostered an incredible little community within the Department. I remember going to brunch with a few of my classmates and just feeling so thankful that I had joined a community of such intelligent, kind, and supportive people.

My cohort in PFRH has just been phenomenal. They are so supportive of one another, and they have fostered an incredible little community within the Department.

Tell us about your field placement.

I will be working at the SPARC Women’s Center, which stands for Sex workers Promoting Action, Risk reduction, and Community mobilization. SPARC seeks to support women, agender, and gender-nonbinary individuals who may be engaging in any sort of street-based, survival activities. This could include selling or using drugs or engaging in sex work. I will be providing support in the clinic and on mobile outreach shifts by serving participants through harm reduction supply distribution, outreach, and engagement. I will be developing an engagement strategy, which will be used to gain feedback from participants who utilize SPARC’s services.

What do you hope to do or accomplish after graduation?

I hope to continue to work in harm reduction and sexual and reproductive health education.

What are some of your favorite places or aspects of living in Baltimore?

As a Baltimore County native and someone who has spent a lot of time in the city growing up, the amount of art this city has to offer has always been one of my favorite things about Baltimore. Museums like the Baltimore Museum of Art, the Walters Art Museum, and the American Visionary Art Museum, along with community led galleries and festivals like Artscape provide vibrant examples of the city's commitment to the arts. Even as you drive through the city, it's hard to miss the many murals and graffiti that cover the streets.

What advice do you have for prospective students interested in joining the PFRH community? 

My advice would be to come to Baltimore with an open mind and to commit time to exploring and experiencing the city as you explore and experience the PFRH community. Baltimore has so much to offer, and the opportunities provided at the Bloomberg School are often directly tied to Baltimore and the community!