To celebrate National Health Education Week, October 19–23, Stony Brook University’s Program in Public Health is highlighting alums making a difference through health education, disease prevention, and community engagement.
Meet Ashley Cervino, MPH, CHES, a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Science at Stony Brook University’s School of Health Professions, and a Health Education Specialist with Stony Brook Cancer Center’s Office for Community Outreach and Engagement.
A proud Stony Brook alumna, Ashley combines her passion for public health education with hands-on community outreach, helping individuals make informed decisions about their health while preparing the next generation of health professionals.
Building a Career in Public Health and Health Education
What inspired you to pursue a career in public health, and what do you find most rewarding about your current role?
I've always been interested in the prevention and education aspects of healthcare, and I found public health to be the perfect fit.
The most rewarding part of my current role as a faculty member in the Health Science major is showing students how important and widespread public health is. In my role as Health Education Specialist with Stony Brook Cancer Center’s Office for Community Outreach and Engagement, I find it most rewarding to see how grateful community members are for important information about cancer screening and prevention. Bringing the education into the community and meeting individuals where they are is so important.
How Stony Brook's Health Science Program Prepared Ashley for a Public Health Career
How did your education at Stony Brook University prepare you for your career and the work you do today?
My education at Stony Brook University prepared me for my career and the work I do today by first exposing me to public health. I declared health science as my major and, when choosing a concentration, found it was a perfect fit. I realized my passion for education and outreach had a name. Public health coursework was integral to earning CHES certification, completing my MPH, and landing my first public health jobs. The foundational knowledge from my health science major prepared me to continue my education both as a learner in classrooms and as a health educator in communities. Additionally, the connections and mentors I built at Stony Brook University helped me find success in various ways throughout my career. I am grateful to now teach current health science majors pursuing the public health concentration and provide the insight my professors once gave me.
Why Health Education Matters for Cancer Prevention and Community Health
Why is health education essential to building healthier communities, and how does your work contribute to that mission?
Health education is essential to building healthier communities because behavior change, whether it is eating healthy or getting cancer screened, starts with education. My work supports this by engaging community members through outreach and partnerships. The Community Outreach and Engagement team and I attend health fairs and provide educational sessions discussing cancer prevention and screening, health literacy, advocacy, and more. This empowers individuals to make informed health decisions. Whenever possible, I share strategies, success stories, and various anecdotes with my students to showcase the importance of this work.
Preparing Future Health Professionals Through Community Outreach
How has working directly with communities influenced the way you educate and inspire future health professionals?
Working directly with diverse communities has shown me the importance of tailoring your educational approach to different audiences. This increases engagement in the conversation and shapes the education even more. I see this in the classroom as I strive to support active learning through interaction and the application of concepts. Often, I have my students think about how they would relay information to community members or patients, emphasizing plain language and health literacy. My work in the community gives students a different perspective on healthcare. I hope that these real-world anecdotes inspire students to be passionate health care professionals.
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About Ashley Cervino, MPH, CHES
Ashley Cervino is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Science at Stony Brook University’s School of Health Professions and a Health Education Specialist with Stony Brook Cancer Center’s Office for Community Outreach and Engagement. She also co-chairs the Health Science Major Alumni Advisory Board.
Through teaching, community outreach, and cancer prevention education, Ashley helps advance the mission of public health by empowering individuals with knowledge and preparing future health professionals to make a difference.
Explore Public Health Programs at Stony Brook University
Interested in a career in public health? Explore Stony Brook University's Health Science major and Program in Public Health to learn how you can build the knowledge and skills to improve community health.
