Madison McDonald's Health Promotion Portfolio

Welcome!

My Time as a Public Health Dawg

In the summer of 2023, I transferred to the University of Georgia from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Originally a neuroscience student, I was interested in exploring my passions surrounding public health and gerontology while also maintaining my love for science. I decided to major in Health Promotion and Behavior due to the well-rounded curriculum and involvement opportunities that it provided. I began taking classes like health policy, global health, epidemiology, and a myriad of other public health focused coursework and I knew that I made the right decision. The supportive and inclusive environment of the College of Public Health at UGA has genuinely made my experiences as a student fulfilling in every way: from my professors teaching lessons beyond a PowerPoint, the supportive friends I have met, and the shared sense of community among all members of the CPH.

What’s Next?

In the spring of 2026, I will be completing my culminating Health Promotion Internship at the Athens Community Council on Aging in the Adult Day Health Program. This internship encompasses all of the work I have grown increasingly passionate about: aging, health policy, healthcare, and community health. I am eager to get to work and learn about all things aging! I will have the opportunity to lead classes and activities, assist in document intake, and even creating and showcasing my own program. Upon finishing this internship, I will graduate with my Bachelor’s of Science in Health Promotion and Behavior, with a minor in Global Health.

On November 7th, I was accepted into graduate school at UGA, specifically the Master’s of Public Health degree program with a concentration in Gerontology. Through my Double Dawgs pathway, I have been able to take 12 credit hours of graduate level coursework to count towards both my undergraduate and graduate degrees. I will begin my journey as an official graduate student in the spring 2026 semester. I am looking forward to continuing my public health education and learning skills that will serve useful in my future as a public health professional.