Student Spotlight: Camille Kramer
Camille Kramer initially thought she'd pursue a medical degree, but shifted to public health, which allowed her to combine science with advocacy in her work improving reproductive health care for pregnant and postpartum people, as well as women experiencing incarceration.
Meet Camille Kramer
- Degree Program: Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)
- Concentration: Women's and Reproductive Health
- Hometown: Miami, Florida
- Previous degrees earned: Bachelor of Science, The University of Georgia; Master of Public Health, Georgia State University
- Current professional role: Senior Research Program Manager, , Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Fun fact: I love to travel! Working full-time and being back in school has made scheduling trips trickier, especially abroad. The first major trip I took while in the program was to Morocco. I was there in September 2023 when a big earthquake hit. Although it’s not lighthearted, it allowed me to see public health crisis management in a foreign country in real time, and it brought me and my tripmates closer together.
What sparked your interest in public health?
I always wanted a career that involved helping people. I’m also one of those public health folks who initially thought they’d practice medicine. I discovered public health when I realized becoming a medical doctor wasn’t for me. I was drawn to the field because it mixes science with advocacy and provides many opportunities across disciplines.
What are your research interests?
My current research focuses on improving reproductive health care for pregnant and postpartum people experiencing incarceration. In that space, we conduct studies on the intersection between pregnancy, substance use, and the criminal legal system. My other research interests include Black maternal health and birth equity, family planning access and utilization, adolescent sexual and reproductive health, and the commercial sexual exploitation of youth.
The biggest resource at Hopkins is the people!
Why did you choose the Bloomberg School of Public Health?
Working at Hopkins before joining the DrPH program gave me opportunities to collaborate with the Bloomberg School faculty and learn more about the program. I chose the Bloomberg School of Public Health due to its spectacular reputation, rigorous academics, breadth of disciplines, and the opportunity to learn from faculty and students who are public health leaders across the world. It was also one of the only schools with a concentration on Women’s and Reproductive Health.
What drew you to the Women’s and Reproductive Health DrPH concentration?
I’ve been interested in sexual and reproductive health, primarily for adolescents and young adults, as far back as I can remember. I’m drawn to reproductive health because it’s essential to women’s health and overall quality of life, yet it is taboo and faces a lot of stigma and censorship. When I applied to the program, I was torn between the Women’s and Reproductive Health and the Health Equity and Social Justice concentrations. I chose WRH because I felt like my professional background, expertise, and interests were more aligned with the WRH concentration. However, all public health work should have an equity lens, and I feel like that also comes through in my work and the WRH courses.
Have you made any discoveries at Hopkins that you recommend to other students?
I think the biggest resource at Hopkins is the people! Get to know others and lean on your people for support, whether it’s your advisors, concentration directors, professors, staff, or fellow students. If you’re not in a group chat for every class, you’re missing out! I would also emphasize utilizing the School and Department Listservs if you’re looking for opportunities at and beyond Hopkins. If you are local to Baltimore, a few places I enjoy in the area are and . And if you’re looking for a place on campus to do work, the is beautiful, and the top floor of the Bloomberg School Wolfe Street building has tons of seating, great views, and food!
What do you hope to do or accomplish after graduating from the DrPH program?
During one of our recent seminars, one of my fellow WRH students said that she approaches the future by being willing to say yes to what’s in front of her. I echo that sentiment! In my experience, the opportunities I’ve found most rewarding are those I never anticipated or planned for. Working in different settings and roles has taught me that I prefer work that allows me to dip my hands into research and programming. I’m unsure of what that will look like once I graduate, but I’m excited to find out! In the meantime, I hope to explore more opportunities for teaching and consulting to help inform my next career move.
