A passion for social systems and a drive to create more equitable health outcomes have defined the career of Katie Howard, MPH ’08. Now serving as senior policy advisor for Quality, Metrics, Surveys, and Evaluations at the Oregon Health Authority, Howard is leveraging data-driven strategies to address health inequities and implement real-world solutions for vulnerable communities.
"Public health data allows me to see the impact of systemic inequities in real-time," Howard said. "It’s incredibly rewarding to work on measures that expand access to holistic health solutions."
Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, Howard’s childhood was shaped by her family’s roots in rural Washington and Oregon. She moved to Portland during middle school and was struck by the stark rural-urban divide in access to health care. Initially drawn to hard sciences with dreams of becoming an astronaut, Howard found her calling in sociology during her undergraduate studies at the University of Oregon.
"I became fascinated with how social systems shape individual lives," she said. "Public health felt like a natural extension of that interest, especially as I saw how diseases often reflect racism and other systemic inequities."
"It’s incredibly rewarding to work on measures that expand access to holistic health solutions."
Howard’s journey led her to the University of Maryland School of Public Health, where she pursued a Master of Public Health in Behavioral and Community Health. For Howard, moving to the East Coast and immersing herself in a diverse academic environment was a life-changing experience.
"My cohort at UMD was largely women from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. The richness of our discussions shaped my understanding of health education and community health," she recalled.
While at UMD, Howard served as a teaching assistant for an undergraduate public health course, an experience she described as deeply fulfilling. "Teaching helped me understand public health concepts on a deeper level while connecting with students eager to learn about the field," she said.
Howard also credits her thesis advisor, the late Dr. Robin Sawyer, for inspiring her focus on sexual health and participatory community research. "He was a true expert in the field and a wonderful mentor," she said.
Howard’s current role at the Oregon Health Authority is deeply aligned with her values. She oversees innovative projects like a Medicaid quality program that incentivizes community care providers to address social determinants of health such as food insecurity, housing, and transportation.
For Howard, incorporating community voices in public health interventions is essential. "We’re shifting to an equity model that’s strengths-based and community-driven, ensuring that those traditionally excluded from decision-making have a seat at the table."
Giving back
Howard is eager to contribute to the next generation of public health professionals through mentorship and collaboration with UMD. She expressed interest in virtual shadowing opportunities and mentoring students who are curious about health policy and data-driven public health interventions.
"Students benefit from seeing how data and policy come together to create real-world change," Howard said. "I’d love to share both the successes and challenges I’ve encountered in my career to help prepare them for the complexities of public health work."
Reflecting on her career, Howard urged students to dig deeper into data and consider the context and gaps in traditional public health metrics. "Qualitative data is often overlooked but provides invaluable insights into community needs," she said.
Her advice to future public health professionals: "Don’t just rely on numbers—engage with the people behind the data to create meaningful, equitable interventions."
-- Stuti Mohanty