madeline bernard, mph | PROGRAm manager, cancer prevention

Originally from Dallas, Texas, Madeline had an early interest in public health after hearing about these so-called “disease detectives”, also known as Epidemiologists. After finishing at the University of Oklahoma and getting the chance to study abroad in the UK at the University of Reading, Madeline decided she wanted to turn her focus to global public health. She completed her Master of Public Health in Epidemiology at the University of Michigan, including a 3 month international internship. She spent 8 weeks in Hat Yai, Thailand, working with the local university to conduct a follow up study on residents of the Na Mom district, to examine the relationship between ingesting radium contaminated well water and the incidence of upper digestive tract cancers. She also spent 4 weeks in Jakarta, Indonesia, working to develop a quality of life measure for patients at the Dharmais National Cancer Hospital. This experience highlighted the global disparities in access to quality healthcare and changed Madeline’s perspective on the world of public health, making her more committed to serving overlooked communities back home.

Since graduation, Madeline has worked as a COVID-19 Epidemiology Case Investigator for the CDC Foundation at Harris County Public Health. After 2 years working in the diverse Houston community alongside public health leaders, committed to ending the COVID-19 pandemic, Madeline has escaped the heat and come to be a Cancer Prevention Program Manager at CAHE, where she coordinates with health systems and community based organizations involved in implementing evidence based interventions to improve colorectal cancer screening rates.

Away from work, Madeline loves to relax by walking along the lake shore, trying out a new pizza restaurant, going to a trivia night with her group of friends, and cheering on the Wolverines!