Heather Mikulski, Ph.D., graduated from Kent State University with her bachelor's degree in International Relations in 2008. After a period in Germany, where she earned her master’s degree in public policy at the University of Erfurt, Mikulski came back to KSU and got her doctoral degree in Public Health, Health Policy in 2021. Now she lives in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Spain, where she works as global policy and engagement lead at Roche Diabetes Care Spain. Mikulski’s experience in the College of Public Health had a profound impact on her academic journey and professional career, and now she decided to pay it forward. Mikulski made a generous donation to CPH funding a student’s trip to Rwanda.
Why did you decide to give back to the College of Public Health?
When I read about the program to send KSU students to Rwanda I thought that it was really interesting and it reminded me of when I took my first trip for a study abroad program. When I was doing my undergraduate in international relations at KSU, I went to the Universitat Leipzig, in Germany, thanks to a scholarship from an anonymous source. If it wasn’t for the scholarship, I wouldn’t have had the funds to participate and finish the program there. The experience in Germany really shaped me and opened my eyes, it gave me opportunities to learn many aspects of cultures and language and, eventually, empowered me, as it made me want to continue to explore and learn. As I was given a chance, when I read about the Rwanda program I wanted to give a chance to a student who might otherwise not have it. I really hope that the student will enjoy the trip and learn a lot from it. I believe that is a great opportunity.
Can you tell us about your current role at Roche Diabetes Care?
I work at Roche Diabetes as a policy and engagement lead at a global level. As Roche Diabetes Care, we produce blood glucose meters, insulin pumps, and other products for diabetes management. My job focuses on health policy initiatives to help patients get access to treatments and tools possible for treating and managing their disease. That includes setting the overarching policy objectives and engaging with stakeholders like the World Health Organization or more specific groups in Europe or North America.
How do you think your role is impacting global health?
Diabetes is a leading cause of death globally. One of the reasons is because of the complexity of diabetes and the many complications it causes. In many cases, patients might not have the
tools they need, or access to medications or to glucose testing supplies they need, depending on the country they live in. When I think about how my role can impact the global health of patients, I think about all the things we can do as an organization and that I can do in terms of social policy and advocacy to really help patients. My aim is to work on policies that can help to reduce the rates of mortality and incidence of complications in diabetes and improve the overall public health.
What are the most rewarding and challenging aspects of your work?
One of the most rewarding aspects is knowing that the work we do impacts patients’ lives. It is the most rewarding experience knowing that we play a part in helping provide relief to patients and help them with the management of their disease. One of the most challenging aspects are the continuously changing aspects of healthcare law, privacy law, access to medications and devices. All these changes happen at a global level as well as a local level, so it’s challenging to stay on top of all these aspects. Moreover, the integration of technology into healthcare is rapidly changing the way we look at things.
How your education and previous roles led to and prepared you for your current position?
I received my doctoral degree in public health with a focus in health policy from Kent State in 2021. My Ph.D. helped prepare me in shaping my interest in this area, as my dissertation was about “Utilizing Connected Health Applications in Diabetes Care: Implications for Public Health and Policy in the US.” Doing the research and the analyses, looking into the implications and studying the policy aspects built the foundations for the work I do now. Before working in Roche Spain, I worked in the United States in the health insurance industry for sixteen years. Working in that industry allowed me to have a clear understanding of the healthcare system and of how medical policy works, not only for diabetes but for health in general. In addition, my master’s degree in public policy from the University of Erfurt, in Germany allowed me to incorporate all the aspects of policy even before starting my Ph.D.
Was there a seminal moment for you at KSU CPH?
There is not one moment that I can say was seminal, but it was the overall experience in the College of Public Health that was great. I got my undergraduate degree at Kent State and because of my interest in public health I chose to come back to KSU for my doctoral degree. During the Ph.D. I’ve been exposed to so many classes and areas of focus, and I had great guidance from the professors. So, I had no special moment but many really great experiences at CPH.
What advice would you give to current Public Health students?
If you want to work in public health, know that the world is full of opportunities to make a difference. Find your passion and go after it because no obstacles are too big, even if you can only make one small change at a time.
For more information on supporting CPH students, contact Tracy Schlemmer at 330-672-6512.
Photo: CPH alumni Heather Mikulski and Paul Johnson, Ph.D., reunited in April 2022 at the ATTD conference in Barcelona, Spain.