Angelina J.T. Stafford is graduating this year from the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health with a Master of Public Health (MPH) focused on Health Policy and Health Systems. As a first-generation college student, Hispanic daughter of immigrants, U.S. Army veteran, and 2023 National Student Veteran of the Year, her path to public health has been shaped by both lived experience and service.
Growing up, Angelina witnessed the barriers her family faced while navigating healthcare and social systems. Those early experiences sparked questions about how systems shape health outcomes and opportunities for families and communities.
After enlisting in the Army as a medic, her understanding of health expanded even further. While she trained in emergency trauma response, much of her work involved crisis counseling, connecting individuals to resources, and helping families meet basic needs.
“I realized that health is about so much more than clinical care,” she said. “So many systems impact whether individuals and families can truly thrive.”
Those experiences challenged her perception of healthcare and ultimately led her to pivot away from medical school and toward public health. Through her studies, she found a passion for addressing health through systems change, policy, prevention, and community support.
Throughout her academic journey, Angelina credits her family as her greatest source of support. She draws inspiration from the women in her life, particularly her mother-in-law, a professor at Portland State University (PSU), who completed her PhD while raising a young family.
“She’s an incredible teacher and such a powerful example of what’s possible,” Angelina said. “Her balance of motherhood and academia inspired me throughout this journey.”
Angelina says she is dedicating this degree to her mother, who died when she was 11 years old. “I think my mom would be really proud of who I’ve turned out to be,” she said.
Following graduation, Angelina will continue her work in firearm injury and suicide prevention after accepting a full-time position with Alliance for a Safe Oregon, a statewide nonprofit focused on ending firearm tragedies. In her role, she supports suicide prevention initiatives, community recovery efforts, research, and healthcare provider training.
As someone personally impacted by suicide loss, the work holds deep meaning for her.
“Suicide prevention is a complex public health issue that’s very close to my heart,” she said. “I’m eager to continue helping communities through research, education, and prevention work.”
Angelina looks forward to continuing to build a career focused on health equity, systems-level change, and compassionate, community-centered care throughout Oregon.