Her Story
About Kaitlyn
Kaitlyn James is a public health student at Temple University Barnett College of Public Health, where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Public Health while participating in the university's 4+1 Accelerated Master’s Program in Health Policy and Management. She is expected to complete her bachelor's degree in spring 2027 and her Master of Public Health in spring 2028. She also serves as a Student Worker in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences and as Secretary of the Alpha Omicron Chapter of Eta Sigma Gamma. Her academic interests center on public health, health policy, community health, health equity, and patient-centered approaches to healthcare.
Her passion for public health was shaped by both her healthcare background and personal experiences with her family. Having grown up with a mother who is a pharmacist, Kaitlyn was familiar with healthcare from an early age, while her experience supporting her Nona through a serious cancer journey gave her a deeper understanding of the human side of healthcare. She has translated that perspective into academic and professional work, including developing a year-long endometrial cancer prevention program for women aged 45 and older in North Philadelphia as part of a community-based program-planning project. She also completed a 10-week Community Impact Internship with Cencora, where she contributed to grant applications, community impact reporting, nonprofit engagement, and the development of a professional development program for students at Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School.
Kaitlyn combines her public health interests with leadership, community engagement, and a strong commitment to service. During her Cencora internship, she gained experience connecting corporate responsibility initiatives with community needs, while her previous role as a Pharmacy Technician at CVS Health gave her insight into patient care, medication adherence, health education, and the socioeconomic factors that influence healthcare experiences. Outside of academics and work, she is an active runner and enjoys fitness, spending time with her family, and visiting the Jersey Shore. She has also been an active supporter of Gift of Life since 2019 through volunteering, participating in its annual 5K, and supporting organ-donation efforts. Her professional perspective is grounded in compassion, empathy, patient-first leadership, and a desire to meet people and communities where they are.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kaitlyn
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to compassion, empathy, hard work, and a willingness to go above and beyond. I try to treat everyone with kindness and understanding because we never know what someone else may be experiencing. I also carry a strong work ethic into everything I do and try to give my best effort while supporting the people around me.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Some of the most meaningful advice I have received is to find my niche and focus on the areas of public health that I am genuinely passionate about. My professor, Sharif Abraham, encouraged me not to become a ‘bleeding heart,’ but instead to recognize the issues in front of me and work toward practical solutions. That advice helped me understand that public health is a broad field and that finding a specific area of passion can help create meaningful, sustainable impact while reducing the risk of burnout.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women to remember that rejection is redirection. If something does not work out, it does not mean that you are not capable or that you are on the wrong path; it may simply mean that another opportunity is waiting for you. Keep being yourself, continue putting in the work, and do not underestimate your own accomplishments. When other people recognize you as a role model, remember to recognize that potential in yourself as well.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in public health is the sheer number of issues and crises that need attention. There is a natural desire to help everyone and address everything, but that can also contribute to burnout. I believe an important opportunity is to identify a specific area that you are truly passionate about and use that passion to create meaningful change. For me, that passion is deeply connected to my Nona and my desire to help people and communities. Holding onto that purpose helps me navigate challenges and remain focused on the impact I want to make.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Compassion and empathy are the two values that are most important to me. I try to treat everyone with kindness and love because we never truly know what another person may be going through. Even a simple conversation, greeting, or compliment can make a meaningful difference in someone's day. Professionally, I bring those same values to my work by showing up for my team, giving my best effort, and going above and beyond whenever I can. I believe that the way we treat people and the effort we put into our work can have a greater impact than we sometimes realize.
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