Johnathan Bernard

Master of Public Health candidate
Harvard School of Public Health

Prior Education

Yale University School of Medicine, M.D. candidate
United States Naval Academy, B.S.

Professional Experience

U.S. Naval Officer (Medical Corps)
HAVEN Clinic: Administrator on Clinic Board
Health Professionals Recruitment and Exposure Program (HPREP): Small group leader
NIH Summer Internship Program in Biomedical Research: Student Researcher
Johns Hopkins Children’s Hospital “Project White Hat”: Volunteer
National Defense Service Medal

Biography

I had the opportunity to creatively address social problems during my undergraduate medical training. The flexibility of the curriculum allowed me to combine volunteerism and management in the creation of a student-run free clinic. Access to medical care is a humanitarian crisis in our neighborhoods. Our main objective was to address this crisis on a local level, using the limited medical and human resources available. We were imaginative and realistic in our expectations for the clinic in order to transform the concept into a service. My work at the clinic mirrors many aspects of my intended career in military medicine. Following a long-standing family history of public service, I intend to serve my country as a naval officer and physician, leading medical humanitarian missions and working to improve access to medical care for members of the Armed Forces in times of war and peace. The Harvard School of Public Health program in health policy and management will allow me to develop skills to make evidence-based health management decisions for the military. The Zuckerman Fellowship will allow me to enhance the professional skills needed to introduce change and motivate those I will collaborate with during my career of service. The unique program of cross-disciplinary partnership will help me approach difficult challenges with many perspectives. The Zuckerman Fellowship provides a chance to learn with fellow scholars how to best implement change and succeed in a career of public service.