YOUNG ALUMNA OF THE YEAR AWARD
Kathleen M. Blaney, Nurs ’09
New York, New York
In a world and profession forever changed by the pandemic, Kathleen Blaney has seized the opportunity to rise up and be the difference. She leads outbreak response for the NYC Health Department and helped build the NYC Test and Trace Corps, a public health initiative that serves as one of the nation’s largest contact tracing hubs for COVID-19.
As the director of outbreak response at the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, she takes care for the whole person — cura personalis — to the next level. Her career is dedicated to serving the entire community. “It is such a gift to be able to serve in and work with a community as vibrant as New York City and provide that comprehensive assessment and care across diverse populations” she says.
While Kathleen has been in the Big Apple for just six years, she knows she’s exactly where God has called her to be and this is where she can meet the world’s needs. Marquette led her to a career in public health. “At the intersection of nursing and political science, I found this incredible space where government has the ability to influence policy and the structures that promote and impede health,” she says. During her time at Marquette, Kathleen had the opportunity to study in both Peru and Kenya.
Kathleen’s desire to lead change and advocate for others led her to aiding in other outbreaks as well. Pre-COVID, she was sent to work in an Orthodox Jewish clinic in Brooklyn, mitigating one of the largest modern measles outbreaks. So, while she knows the COVID pandemic will evolve to an endemic state, there will always be another community to help in a time of crisis, and Kathleen is committed to be there for others when they need her most.
What is one of your favorite Marquette memories?
Oh so many! I lived in Strack for two years and had just the best times with my roommates, all of whom I am in regular touch with today. Some of my favorites were Tuesday night Mass at St. Joan of Arc, Apple Holler and spending the summer in Piura, Peru for my community health clinical. It was also really special to overlap with my younger sister for a couple of years.
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