Graduate Profile: Kari Tapley
Kari St. Bernard Tapley wanted a way to combine her interest in communication with her interest in health. The minor in public health showed her the need for public health programs.
Now a perinatal Hepatitis B surveillance specialist for the Michigan Department of Community Health, she works on reporting and preventing disease in pregnant women.
“Just having a public health minor available and being able to take a course in epidemiology as an undergraduate was a great opportunity,” the 1999 graduate says.
“Just having a public health minor available and being able to take a course in epidemiology as an undergraduate was a great opportunity. ”
“The program did a great job at letting you explore the different areas of public health to help guide what concentration you would want to pursue at a master’s degree level.”
Tapley was attracted to Alma by the size, early admission program and opportunity to dance.
“After attending both a small parochial and large public school, I felt the smaller atmosphere would suit me better,” she says. “I did not want to be a number at a big school.”
While at Alma, she was involved in mentoring, Alpha Gamma Delta and was a resident assistant.
