Originally published October 2024 | Updated July 2026

When Ellaine Arroyo enrolled in UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education’s Public Health Certificate Program she had just completed her bachelor’s degree at UC Davis in neurobiology, physiology and behavior. She made a post-grad decision to apply to the online certificate program to build upon her undergrad studies before applying to grad school. Since this story was originally published, Ellaine has been accepted into the UC Davis Master of Public Health program, where she will begin her studies this fall. 

As a Filipino American woman, Ellaine empathizes with the issues minority populations face, especially concerning cultural barriers and increased risks for certain health conditions. 

“The need for an improved high-quality healthcare system that supports everyone motivates me to make a meaningful impact through a career in the public health field,” she said. 

Dedicated to bringing equitable change to patient care, Ellaine plans to become a healthcare administrator. To get there, she has her sights set on earning a Master of Public Health.

Why did you enroll in the Public Health Certificate Program?

I thought it was a great opportunity to gain a professional foundation in public health within an ideal timeline after completing my bachelor’s degree.

How do you see this certificate program helping you achieve your goals?

This certificate program serves as a stepping stone in my education as I continue getting exposed to graduate-level coursework. I believe it will help me stand out in my graduate applications as an eager student committed to pursuing public health. It is also a plus that the credits from this certificate program can transfer to the UC Davis MPH, one of the programs that I am planning to apply for.

What are your goals for the program and what do you hope to gain out of the experience?

My main goals for the certificate program are to increase my fundamental understanding of public health concepts and grow my skill set for solving complex challenges to enhance life outcomes. I hope to gain a solid tool kit for mitigating and preventing future burdens in healthcare.

What have you learned so far and how has this knowledge built upon your undergraduate studies?

The fundamental coursework that I’m completing has expanded my understanding and application of public health. This opportunity has equipped me with a well-rounded skill set for addressing complex health challenges with strategic approaches.

The first few weeks of my course about determinants of health complemented the social theories I analyzed in my community development courses, which helped me figure out potential solutions for addressing health disparities. In my epidemiology course, learning about several study designs and interventions built upon the critical thinking mindset I had to apply in my neurobiology courses, but specifically for public health purposes.

What has been your most valuable takeaway from the certificate program so far?

It was very insightful to learn SAS programming in the SAS primer course. I was briefly exposed to using Python and R in the past, but this program allows me to go in-depth with using SAS studio to make sure I understand how to make the most of my data in a public health context.

Where do you hope to see yourself in the next 5-10 years?

I hope to see myself working in healthcare administration at a hospital or clinic. With my background in clinical care, research and systems thinking, I aim to contribute a perspective that connects the human experience of healthcare with effective healthcare operations and quality improvement initiatives.

Where is she now? 

(Updated July 2026) 

After completing the Public Health Certificate Program in June 2024, Ellaine gained clinical experience working in a women’s health clinic at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health to deepen her understanding of patient care. 

“The Public Health Certificate provided both the toolkit and the context for understanding how clinical practice and public health systems work together to improve community health,” she said. “The certificate program became the bridge that connected my undergraduate education, clinical experience and graduate studies into a clear path toward a career in public health.” 

As she prepares to start the UC Davis Master of Public Health program, Ellaine is excited to gain hands-on experience in health regulations and quality improvement through her MPH practicum. She’s also looking forward to learning about healthcare systems at multiple levels—large academic medical centers, community-based organizations and public agencies—and building lasting connections with faculty and peers. 

Her advice for others considering the Public Health Certificate Program: Stay curious and be open to new ideas. 

“The Public Health Certificate may help you refine your interests or even introduce you to a career path you had not previously considered.”