Army veteran inspired to improve care delivery for fellow troops
Pursuing a degree in public health seemed like the best way for Windy Ankofski, MPH Class of 2021, to help veterans with disabilities like herself.
“My goal is to find ways to improve veteran care delivery,” says Ms. Ankofski. “I feel strongly that the military, veteran and first-responder communities have been underserved with respect to physical rehabilitative and mental health care.”
Ms. Ankofski says a team-based care model for veterans could lead to better outcomes, improve communication among providers and reduce instances of misdiagnoses.
She hopes to use her MPH degree to open a community and veterans’ resource center that will use a holistic approach to health and wellness, which will provide multiple types of rehabilitative care, both clinical and post-clinical, under one roof. “The goal is to provide a safe and comfortable space for full-body rehabilitation,” Ms. Ankofski says. “It’s important they are surrounded by people who understand the threats to physical and mental health in industries of our target market.”
Ms. Ankofski adds she would recommend the EVMS Master of Public Health program to anyone interested in effecting lasting change and improving the health of the public. “What we can accomplish is vitally important to our future,” Ms. Ankofski says. “If we do not train the next generation of public health leaders, where does that leave us? We need to ignite the passion of the future leaders.”